We recently connected with Zitian Zhang and have shared our conversation below.
Zitian, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
That’s a great question to start with. As a filmmaker, imagination has always been my companion, ever since I was little. I’ve always felt more like an observer than a participant—I’d find myself watching moments unfold and imagining all kinds of possibilities, even the ones that seem far-fetched. It’s kind of like continuing the story in my head, almost like a mental “sequel” to whatever is happening in real life.
Over time, it’s become a natural habit and way of thinking for me. On top of that, I’ve developed a habit of writing down my dreams, which has been a surprisingly rich source of inspiration. Since I’m more of a realistic and logical person at work (my producer’s side of thinking), my dreams offer a space to break free from limits and let my creativity flow.
As a producer, I’m constantly dealing with logistics, numbers, and people, so it’s hard to find personal moment to really dive into creative work. But luckily, these habits help me maintain a small creative space in my mind, and interestingly, they even feed back into my work. It’s almost like a reverse mechanism—because I can relate to creative roles like writers, directors, and production designers, I can give feedback that aligns with their vision. Sometimes, I even come up with ideas to enhance the story within the production constraints. It’s a way to keep the creative energy alive, even in the midst of all the practical challenges.
I’m really happy with these habits to keep nourishing my creativity, and I treasure every opportunity to bring my creativity and stories to life. Recently, I’ve picked up writing again, and I’m hoping to finally finish some of my unfinished scripts and novels—fingers crossed they’ll resonate with people!
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’m a filmmaker who majored in both directing and producing, though I’ve been focused on producing for a while now. As a bilingual producer with years of experience, I’ve built a solid background in both creative development and physical production across China and the US. This cross-cultural perspective really helps me navigate the balance between creativity, execution, and business across different types of media.
The TV series, shorts, and vertical series I’ve been involved with have reached millions of viewers worldwide. Recently, the short film, Deep Into the Forest, which I produced, was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival, LA Shorts, AFI Fest, etc.. Right now, I’m producing vertical series and also working on my own writing. I’m hoping to branch out into other roles, like directing and casting, in the near future.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think they will be self-awareness, resilience, and curiosity. The reason I started my career as a filmmaker and chose to study filmmaking was because of my curiosity. I was fascinated by how anime is laid out and storyboarded, and I’ve always loved reading and writing novels. I found myself stuck, wondering how novelists create such captivating plots and tension in fight scenes, and how I could outline my own stories.
I believe self-awareness, resilience, and curiosity are key to my journey. Curiosity is what first drew me to filmmaking. I was fascinated by how anime is laid out and storyboarded, and I’ve always loved reading and writing novels. At one point, I felt stuck, constantly wondering how novelists crafted such captivating plots and built tension in fight scenes, and how I could apply those techniques to my own stories.
With all that curiosity, I realized filmmaking could be the perfect way to answer these questions, so I stepped into this field. The more I learn, the fewer regrets I have, because I’m constantly growing. Along the way, I’ve become more certain of who I am, what my strengths are, and what challenges I need to overcome. And with resilience, I’m determined to keep climbing the mountains ahead of me.
Now, looking at myself more clearly, I am more aware that to be a creative person overall. I’d love to channel more of my energy into the creative side of work. At the same time, I am so blessed that producing has given me a strong foundation—helping me develop practical skills in administration, management, and logistics, which will benefit my career and my life in the long run. For that, I’m incredibly grateful for the path I chose.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I’d say it’s Murakami Haruki’s prose that has had a profound impact on me. I’ve always loved his novels—they’ve been a source of enlightenment for my creative journey. But it’s his prose that feels more like life advice, offering a glimpse into how one of the most creative novelists observes, thinks, and experiences the world. Through his writing, I can sense his frustrations, his happiness, the ups and downs he faces. And that, surprisingly, brought me a sense of ease and relief.
Realizing that even a master like him goes through the same emotions I do reassured me that I’m not alone. None of the creative paths are ever smooth, and that’s okay. It reminded me not to stress out so much—that when I’m more relaxed, I might be able to create even better work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: zorazhangatwork
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zitian-zhang-750b4925a/
Image Credits
Annine Zhang, Amy Zhang, Tribeca Film Festival Staff
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