Meet Yiwen Qian

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

Yiwen, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome has been quite a journey for me. I used to be a person who always doubted myself, believing I didn’t deserve the love and support from my surroundings. Over time I realized these emotions really dragged me down in the hole and didn’t help me grow as an individual whether in my daily life or work field. Then I started reminding myself of what I’ve achieved coming along—like when my work got recognized by prestigious film festivals, filmmakers and talents, and just audiences in general. Getting feedback from mentors and peers was crucial as well. I began working at a production company called Rollin Studios last year. Transitioning from student to working professional really opened up the way I perceived the film and entertainment industry. My supervisors and colleagues have been nothing but generous, encouraging, and inspiring people who help me explore and navigate through all the challenges I encounter. When people I respect give me constructive criticism or acknowledgement, it assures me that I’m on the right track.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hello all, this is Yiwen. I began my producer career back in 2020 when I started pursuing undergrad education at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Projects I’ve produced span from narrative shorts, music videos, fashion films, to feature films. My work involves overseeing all aspects of production, from concept to completion, ensuring that each project comes together smoothly and delivers a powerful story to audiences. I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and how it can resonate with people on a personal level.
What excites me the most about producing is the power of film to evoke deep emotions, challenge perceptions, and transcend various barriers to connect individuals. I love the process of bringing together creative elements, collaborating with talented teams, and seeing the final products come to life. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness how stories can inspire and affect viewers in many unexpected ways.
At Rollin Studios, our work is driven by a commitment to creating meaningful and emotionally impactful stories. We specialize in international co-productions, with a focus on projects coming overseas to film in the U.S. This unique positioning allows us to bring diverse stories to life, blending worldwide perspectives with local talents and resources. We just attended the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival with our film Daughter’s Daughter, which came to film in the U.S. at the beginning of this year. Looking forward, we’re in the development phase of multiple exciting feature projects. These films span various genres and explore a wide range of themes, each with the potential to connect with audiences on a deep level. We’re eager to continue expanding our portfolio and contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of international filmmaking

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Trust, Communication, and Adaptability. Trust has been essential not only in trusting my team to bring their best together also in trusting my own instincts and decisions. Having faith in both my collaborators and myself when walking through uncertainty is the key to moving forward with confidence. Communication is another core skill. As a producer, being able to clearly deliver ideas, listen to others, and effectively construct respectful conversations between cast and crew has been invaluable in keeping projects on track and ensuring everyone’s vision is aligned. Lastly, adaptability has played a vital role, especially in the film industry where things change rapidly. Being open to new ideas and adjusting to challenges have helped me navigate through both creative and logistical aspects of film productions. Speaking of my little experience, I’d encourage those ealy in their journey to seek out different opportunities, take on new roles, and don’t be afraid to step out of their comfort zone. To develop strong communication skills, work with a variety of people, actively listen, and exchange ideas with others. Building trust may take a long time. It’s important to choose collaborators wisely and believe in your own capabilities.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Learn to face and accept everything that happens to me, whether it’s positive or negative. I used to be someone who was deeply concerned with gains and losses, often overthinking and getting stuck in that mindset. But after transitioning myself from school to a work field where many things can be uncertain and rapidly changing, I’ve learned to let go of the urge to control every outcome and stop stressing out when many things are not settled at the early stage of a project. This has allowed me to approach obstacles with a clearer mind, focus on what I can do and influence, and embrace the unpredictability of the industry with greater resilience.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

– Personal Photo Photographer Onlyabowl
– 2024 TIFF Industry Conference Photographer Devon Liu
– 20th HollyShorts Screening Group Photo Photographer Jeff Smith
– 20th HollyShorts Red Carpet Photographer Sir. Henry Thompson
– 20th HollyShorts Screening Q&A Photographer Jeff Smith
– “Beyond Farewell” Poster Designer Jingzhi Hu
– “Dregs” Poster Designer Jingzhi Hu
– “Dregs” Group Photo Photographer Jingzhi Hu
– “SNAFU” Group Photo Photographer Yiwen Qian

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