We were lucky to catch up with Seleny Xie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Seleny, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Working in the entertainment industry specializing in interactive media and game development, I can see the growing trend in merging diverse media platforms to push the boundary of storytelling. Virtual production is a good example of using game engines to generate content and toolsets that can be used in film production. Currently, my focus involves adapting VR games from major movie IPs. This not only streamlines content creation but also unlocks novel avenues for immersive storytelling. The blending of game mechanics with cinematic elements enhances interactivity and emotional engagement. Looking forward, the convergence of AI as a tool to help streamline the content creation process will blur the lines between gaming and filmmaking for a more engaging, cross-platform collaboration.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a multidisciplinary producer and designer, specializing in new media, video games, and virtual production. My expertise includes game development (prototyping), motion capture, and 3D environment design, with years in the film industry. Despite COVID constraints, it fueled my exploration of innovative storytelling in emerging media. Having relocated to LA two years ago, I’m thrilled to be part of a vibrant, multidisciplinary community where I met a group of artists and friends working with AI, XR, and VR for creative projects

In the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with a group of talented designers, artists, and programmers, resulting in two VR projects nominated at prestigious festivals like Yugo BAFTA Immersive and the Independent Games Festival at GDC. Currently, I’ve had the chance to work at PlayStation and Sony Pictures where I’m involved in producing VR games adapted from major film IPs.

With a diverse skill set from both film and game industries, I’m happy that I’m reaching a stage where I can integrate these two worlds in my creative and professional endeavors. In addition, I’m working on an interactive narrative VR experience, an indie flat-screen video game, and two virtual production projects utilizing game engines, motion capture, and LED volume at a major film studio for production and research.

In the era where creative technology intertwines with content creation, I acknowledge the perpetual need to learn and stay abreast of advancements. I’m always passionate about meeting talents that can bring new ideas and skill sets amidst the change of the industry and stay busy learning all the latest technology that can be inspiring for my work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The rapid evolution of technology in creative development poses an exciting yet challenging demand for staying at the forefront. Quickly learning and adapting the latest technology to the production pipeline is both fun and demanding. I always believe in the symbiotic relationship between technology and art as they always inspire each other to advance. As a visual creator and storyteller, I am fascinated by how these tools can help streamline the production pipelines and ignite innovative and effective creation processes.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Coming from a filmmaking background, I relocated to LA two years ago for a game design master’s program, knowing nothing about the game design pipeline or programming languages (or anything related to computers). Faced with doubts from my peers and acknowledging a steep learning curve in front of me, I was in deep doubt regarding whether this path was right for me, despite my passion for emerging creative technology and its potential in content creation. I committed to 18-20 hour workdays, tackling small projects and online classes to bridge the gap. Despite initial negations and self-doubt, I reclaimed the transferable skills I learned from filmmaking, particularly in negotiation, proactive risk management, social networking, and visual development. Reflecting on my journey, I actually appreciate those old days working with extreme pressure and anxiety. Placing myself in this rapidly evolving industry where new tools and technology are coming out every day, I’ve learned to embrace and grow with challenges, understanding that each hurdle serves as a stepping stone to advancement.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselenyxiiiiie/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenyxie/