Meet Xinran Gu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xinran Gu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Xinran, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

When I was a kid, I was very shy and unwilling to express myself. I dreaded situations like introducing myself in public or performing in front of relatives. To escape these moments, I would “play pitiful” or pretend to be less capable, just to avoid the spotlight.

As I grew up, I gradually built confidence through external validation. Whether it was being complimented on my appearance, receiving praise for my efforts, or being noticed and admired by elders, teachers, or even peers, these moments made me feel seen and valued. Being liked or pursued by others also gave me a sense of confidence. Later, when the works I created started winning awards, I felt even more validated in my abilities.

However, I also realized that this type of confidence came with its own struggles. I began to feel trapped in a cycle of comparison and external approval. Thoughts like “If no one praises me, is what I’ve done really good enough?” or “Should I compromise my values to get recognition from others?” started to weigh on me. Seeking praise had, at times, pushed me to lose sight of my own self-respect.

Things began to shift when I found my passion for creative work—writing scripts, making films, and exploring art design. In my artistic journey, I started focusing on female perspectives, creating stories that explored women’s lives, struggles, and emotions. I began to notice how women, including myself, often unconsciously lose confidence or self-respect in certain situations. Through my work, I was able to dig deep into sensitive topics—vulnerability, insecurities, and societal pressures—and share them with others.

What I discovered is that real confidence doesn’t come from constant praise or comparison. It comes from being brave enough to express your truest self. In my art, I now allow myself to show the raw, imperfect, and sometimes “unpopular” sides of my thoughts. Whether it’s a sensitive, dark, or unconventional idea, I’ve learned to embrace these aspects of myself rather than hide them.

By focusing on self-acceptance—acknowledging my flaws, celebrating my uniqueness, and loving the sensitive and fragile parts of me—I’ve found a more authentic confidence. I create not to impress others, but to express who I truly am. Through this process, I’ve learned to respect myself, and that’s where my real self-esteem comes from.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am currently an arts graduate student with a passion for filmmaking and motion design. My journey began with an interest in crime and suspense genres, which remain close to my heart. I’ve always been drawn to the complexity and tension these stories offer, but over time, I started incorporating more female perspectives into my work. For me, it’s important to highlight women’s voices and explore the nuanced emotions they experience, especially in challenging or unconventional situations.

Initially, I focused on directing and screenwriting, telling stories that reflected my own observations about human nature and relationships. But as I continued to grow as a filmmaker, I discovered a strong talent and deep enthusiasm for post-production—especially editing, visual effects, and motion graphics. This realization led me to pursue a double major in Motion Media Design, allowing me to bridge storytelling with visual artistry. Now, alongside my work as a filmmaker, I am also developing myself as a motion designer.

As a motion designer, I focus on crafting dynamic visuals, animated sequences, and designs that complement and elevate storytelling. Whether it’s a title sequence, visual effects, or abstract motion pieces, I enjoy the creative process of blending technical skills with artistic expression. Motion design has allowed me to expand my creative toolkit and explore new ways of presenting narratives.

What excites me most is the opportunity to combine my roles as a director, writer, and motion designer to create work that is both visually captivating and emotionally resonant. I love crafting stories that not only engage audiences but also leave room for reflection—stories that are suspenseful, authentic, and grounded in humanity.

Looking ahead, I aim to focus more on projects that merge crime and suspense genres with strong female perspectives while continuing to hone my post-production and motion design skills. I believe art and design can amplify a story’s emotional impact, and I’m excited to keep pushing my creative boundaries in these areas.

For anyone interested in storytelling, motion graphics, or women-centered narratives, I hope my work connects with you and offers something meaningful.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey are persistence, confidence, and hard work. These qualities helped me make important decisions, overcome challenges, and continuously improve myself as a filmmaker and motion designer.

Persistence
When my family hoped I would attend a teacher’s college for a stable career, I made the decision to pursue art instead and became an art student. It was not an easy choice, but I knew what I wanted, and I stood by it. Making that decision taught me the importance of persistence—of being able to choose my own path and stick to it, even when the future seemed uncertain. Persistence is what allows me to push through obstacles, whether it’s completing a challenging project or standing by my creative vision.

Confidence
Confidence is something I’ve developed over time. As an artist, I’ve learned to trust my work, no matter the outcome. Whether my work is praised, receives high scores from professors, or wins awards, I know that it holds value. Even if others don’t see it, I believe in what I create, and this mindset gives me the freedom to take risks and stay true to my ideas. Confidence doesn’t mean ignoring criticism, but rather recognizing the worth of my work beyond external validation.

Hard Work
Creativity is demanding. During production, it’s common to spend 14-hour days on set, pushing through exhaustion to ensure everything goes smoothly. Long hours, constant problem-solving, and the pressure to deliver can be overwhelming, but hard work is what allows me to stay at my best. I’ve also experienced the challenges of post-production—endless refining, editing, and designing to achieve the perfect result. The dedication to working hard, even when things get tough, is what keeps my creative energy alive.

These three qualities—persistence, confidence, and hard work—are the foundation of my journey as a filmmaker and motion designer. They’ve allowed me to pursue the path I truly wanted, trust in my creative voice, and stay committed to delivering my best work, no matter how challenging the process may be. For anyone starting their own journey, I believe these qualities are essential to finding success and fulfillment in what you do.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

One of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing is the creation, filming, and production of my thesis film. This project is incredibly important to me, both as a creative milestone and as a reflection of my growth as a filmmaker.

First, the project comes with a considerable budget—around $15,000—which adds a unique pressure. I want to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely, making decisions that directly enhance the film’s visual quality and storytelling. At the same time, I have a personal fear of being judged as someone who “wasted money.” This pressure is something I place on myself, likely because of my competitive nature. I have high expectations, and I want my work to stand out as something excellent and impactful.

Second, my thesis film is an opportunity to showcase my growth and progress as a filmmaker. I see this as a chance to demonstrate how far I’ve come since 2022, not only in directing and screenwriting but also in post-production, which has become a significant passion of mine. I want to create a piece that blends the elements I love—crime and feminism—and highlights my personal style and storytelling abilities.

Right now, I’m in the early stages of the project, focusing on revising and refining the script. This phase requires an incredible amount of concentration and dedication, involving long hours of brainstorming, writing, and constant revisions to ensure the story aligns with my vision. The process is mentally and physically demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Ultimately, this thesis film represents more than just a graduation project. It’s a chance for me to challenge myself, push my creative limits, and prove that I’ve grown into a more mature and capable filmmaker. I want this project to not only meet my own standards but also reflect the progress I’ve made as an artist and storyteller.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hazelgu.com/
• Instagram: hazelguuu_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelgu

Image Credits

Images are from films and motion design projects directed, edited, and designed by Xinran Gu in collaboration with talented creative teams.