Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yoo Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yoo , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose in life by listening to my heart and following through with actions. These actions are very basic: working hard at every job I have ever had, admitting failures when I encounter them—both at work and in human relationships—learning to pivot when necessary, being mindful of the time and resources I have, and being open to learning and trying new things, even when logic didn’t seem to apply.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a Korean American writer, director, and artist who uses stop-motion animation as one of my main mediums to tell thought-provoking and entertaining stories.
Listening to my heart and changing my career in my mid-40s to become a storyteller, I went back to school and graduated in 2023. My USC MFA thesis film, The Nectar Instead, a dark comedy about a fly world, has been featured in 40 festivals so far and will be part of the American Pavilion showcase during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.
I am a 2021 Film Independent Project Involve Laika Animation Fellow, 2023 HBOMax Access Animated Short Program cohort, 2023 Fox Fellow, and 2022 Animation Grand Jury winner with 7LBS 8OZ, a film I wrote and directed at the Florida Film Festival qualifying for the 95th Oscars. My films are currently distributed through The New Yorker Screening Room and are streaming on Max.
As an independent filmmaker, I work out of my home studio in Silverlake, Los Angeles. I am currently working on a documentary called “Man Who Takes Pictures of Flowers”, which I hope to finish production by the end of 2024.
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?
Basic drawing skills, time management, and being an avid reader/ writer.
I was a fashion designer for almost two decades before I transitioned over to animation. I always enjoyed drawing, even as a child. I took a lot of life drawing classes when I was a teenager and also in college, so I had a basic understanding of anatomy. I stopped drawing for almost two decades before taking it up again when I switched over to animation. It was rough, but the more you do it, the better you get, and being able to sketch out one’s ideas is a very useful skill to have.
Magic happens only when I finish something. Completed projects help me open another door and I learn from the experience of making something becoming a better storyteller next time. So it’s very important to finish every project I set my mind on. The only way to do that over and over again without burning out is to have excellent time management skills. Learn to prioritize and organize your schedule well and always have the goal of a finish date on the horizon when working on the project.
Read as much as you can, and keep a journal nearby to write down anything that comes to mind or when you come across something worth remembering. It’s such a wonderful habit to clear your mind, keep track of your thoughts, and guide you for the future. I have always been an avid reader, a book collector, and a scribbler of thoughts and ideas. I would say they all have served me well.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle or challenge I face is not coming from exterior factors; it’s interior factors. Sure, as a mature, Asian female wannabe writer-director in Hollywood, I could easily say the chips are stacked against me. But I think when one’s work is unequivocally great, it’s indisputable and you can knock down any barrier.
I think the most impactful obstacle is always coming from one’s self, and it’s the voice of ‘doubt’ and not being kind to ourselves as we often are to others. I do go through moments where I question, ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘What if I am not good enough?’ ‘What if no one cares about my work at the end?’
The only way I have learned to overcome self-doubt is by just working at my craft and learning something from every experience of making something, even when it’s from making a mistake (then don’t make the same mistake twice). When I am in a funk, I allow myself a given time to wallow and at times, feel sorry for myself. But I always make sure there is an end date to this extravagance; I get up afterward, brushing off any dust, and just keep going. Even if no one cares at the end, I know that at least, I would have given my best shot at any given moment of doing something, therefore, no regret.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meetyoolee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetyoolee/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoo-lee-00a0a86/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfvBN1C_2s5mFlgSi6zVd_g
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12437578/
Image Credits
Aaron Wise
