We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Xiayang Li. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Xiayang below.
Hi Xiayang, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
I’m one of those people who don’t believe in writer’s block as a “clogged” situation for one’s creativity. I believe that certain circumstances in life would burden the writers, refraining them from exercising their creativity freely. That I have experienced. And my solution will sound even simpler – I read a good script and get my battery recharged.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a writer/director and most of my works are in the thriller and drama genres. I was born and raised in China and came to the United States in 2014. Upon completing my bachelor’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill in 2019, I was accepted into the MFA Film Production Program at USC. My most recent short film, “The Act of Crying,” a USC MFA thesis production, is currently competing in the film festival circuit. We are hoping to hear good news soon.
The most exciting thing about writing is to craft a character and their journey. I do a lot of character studies and like to explore their psychological traumas, which shape their personality. The Act of Crying, for example, is about a Chinese man who cannot cry and how he works with an acting coach to prepare for an upcoming project, which turns out to be his father’s funeral. The story, however, is really about how one’s resentment for their loved ones can refrain them from a visceral and genuine emotional response, and that it is okay for one to be truthful to their feelings first, even though most may consider it as selfish.
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?
I would mention my stress management skills, my knowledge of Psychology, and my experiences in living abroad. Stress is no joke. It causes anxiety and adds to depression, and it is often the last straw that kills people’s passion for things in life. It took me time to learn how to work under pressure and discover ways to cope with stress and turn it into something positive. For example, I like to go to the gym in the morning and have a quick shower afterward. It’s a great way to start a day on a positive note. My mother is a therapist and I study Psychology under her. The knowledge helps me in writing, especially when I’m completing personality profiles for my characters. I have studied and lived abroad in countries like France, Japan, Canada, etc. The experiences make me more open-minded to cultural differences and help me understand people better. A piece of advice I would give to people is to try more things and be open-minded.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Not exactly a book, but a script. The script is Spotligh
t, written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy. The script is lean and well-paced. Not a lot of fat on the bone. The story is memorable, and all the other elements are perfectly balanced. It shows how a script doesn’t need the SAT vocabulary, nor the fanciest poetic composition – but simply good characters in a good story.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xy_li/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiayang-li/
Image Credits
Photograph by Michael Harrison Sparks
