We recently connected with Starry Ye and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Starry, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose began to take shape early in my career, back when I first worked in the fast-paced world of producing true crime documentaries with CNN. Even then, I felt the impact of storytelling and the sense of responsibility that comes with conveying meaningful stories to the public. In that role, I discovered the power of a well-told story to inform, inspire, and sometimes even transform perspective.
As my career evolved, I had the chance to bring that passion of storytelling to a much larger stage, working on major studio productions with Netflix, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, and others. These experiences allowed me to blend my early discipline and sense of purpose with the artistry and scale that come with high-end, Emmy-winning programming. Each show was an opportunity not only to create something memorable but also to help amplify the voices and visions of everyone involved. My purpose is to craft powerful narratives that captivate audiences and to elevate the productions behind the scenes, bringing out the best in each show.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My journey in documentaries and post production began with a simple love for storytelling, but it has taken me to places I never imagined. Every day, I get to be part of bringing stories to life with talented professionals in the editing room, where countless hours of footage transform into moments that touch people’s hearts.
Currently, I am the Post Production Manager for the impactful documentary project ’26 Seconds’, which has already garnered multiple international accolades, including awards from The IndieFEST Film Awards, Santa Barbara International Movie Awards, and the Reale Film Festival. The feature documentary, which is now streaming on Epoch TV, showcases our commitment to addressing crucial social issues on global child trafficking through compelling storytelling. We recently just start the post production process for the docu-series. What makes this work special isn’t the awards, though we’re grateful for them, but the knowledge that we’re helping important stories reach people who need to hear them.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, three elements stand out, though I’m still learning and growing in each of them:
First, there’s the technical aspect of our craft. I remember being overwhelmed by the constant evolution of technology, but I learned to embrace it as an adventure rather than a challenge. For those starting out, I’d encourage you to view each new tool or technique not as a burden to master, but as an exciting opportunity to tell stories in new ways.
Second, I’ve found that managing projects is really about managing relationships and expectations. When working on ’26 Seconds,’ for instance, every decision impacted someone’s vision or timeline. I learned that listening – really listening – to everyone’s needs while staying organized is crucial. If you’re beginning your journey, start small: practice organizing your own work meticulously, and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence grows.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, has been the willingness to connect with and learn from others in our industry. Every professional relationship I’ve built has taught me something valuable. My advice? Don’t approach networking as a way to advance your career – approach it as a chance to learn from others’ experiences and contribute to your professional community in meaningful ways.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The past year has been transformative in ways I never expected. Working on ‘John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA’ taught me new approaches to live show’s post production, while ’26 Seconds’ pushed me to handle sensitive subject matter with the care it deserves. Being invited to judge for multiple awards has been particularly enlightening – it’s shown me how much innovation is happening in our field and inspired me to keep pushing my own boundaries.
But perhaps the most significant growth has come from the moments of challenge – the late nights problem-solving in the editing room, the careful balancing of different creative visions, and the constant push to deliver work that serves both the story and its audience. Each show has reinforced that in post-production, there’s always more to learn, and that’s what makes this journey so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://starry-ye.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hy_yap/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/starryye/
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