Story & Lesson Highlights with Abigail Yeung of New York City

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Abigail Yeung. Check out our conversation below.

Abigail, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day right now is working on casting for three short films but I am always looking for another projects to work on as a casting director. I’m open to anything such as short films, feature films, commercials, fashion campaigns, print magazines and many other mediums. My daily tasks include scouting for new talent, reviewing self tapes and setting up auditions.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Abigail, I am a casting director based in New York City. I mainly work in casting for short films and commercials, but aside from casting, I am a director, currently working on finishing my short film, May Jazz Live On! I directed this film with an amazing cast and crew in April of 2025, and it is in post production for the next few months. I loved working on this project from start to end, and my main goal is to have the finished product ready to submit to film festivals in the following months to come.

As a casting director, my main goal is to fulfill a director’s vision for the cast, but also, to find talent amongst a crowd where you might find someone special or specific for a part in a film. I think what’s special about casting is that you’re making up for a pretty big portion of a production and that is so important to a film from the beginning to always.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents, my friends, and my mentors have all guided me for the last few years as a filmmaker. I was taught to persevere, work hard even at my worst and to just do the things that I’ve always wanted to do and work hard to achieve my goals. I’ve learned my whole life that life is short and you only have one life. I’m glad to be given the opportunity by my parents to explore my interests, to have met amazing people that have stuck by me and are all pursuing great things, and for my mentors who have taught me things I would never have thought to think about. I believe that working hard for your goals is important and that you learn so many things along the way, for your career and in life.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve managed to switch my goals in life bi-annually for the last few years, whether it be in acting, directing, writing, or working in music or in marketing. I admit that casting is something I will be wanting to pursue for a bit longer, but sometimes to give up doesn’t mean abandoning your goals, but rather being able to explore other things in life. Sometimes, it feels like I’m constantly putting my goals on hold and I’m never able to just do one thing, but thinking ahead, to be able to experience and work on so many things is a fulfilling thing to achieve in life, so I will never just want to do one thing and when I can do many other things in one life.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that finding one thing that you’re really good at doing and to pursue it is the main goal in life and maybe that is a reality that I am not ready to admit. Now, I believe that I would call that settling. People are so talented that we might have not found all the skills we have to do something we could potentially love. I am pragmatic, but nowadays, I do believe that there is always more for us out there and it wouldn’t hurt to try it out.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am constantly and consistently doing something that I love and working with people who share a similar dream. I am grateful to be able to do what I do and to continue doing so in my dream city with the support of friends and family and surrounding myself with people and things to explore around me. I believe that a work-life balance is what keeps me going as well, and sometimes I can really lose a sense of time and belonging when I’m focused on only one part of work or life, so to me it’s important to maintain that balance.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photographs credited to Rora Wightman.

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