We were lucky to catch up with Yiran Chen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yiran, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

It all started with an encounter two years ago. I met producer Yang Yang while working as a production sound mixer on an independent short film in Boston. Our collaboration went really well, and we became good friends afterward. After I moved to New York, Yang Yang reached out to ask if I would be interested in doing the sound design and score for her independent feature film “American Byproducts.” Due to the limited budget, she needed someone who could handle both sound post-production and film scoring, and since she knew I had experience in both sound design and music production, I was a good fit. I was very excited about the project, as I had never taken on the challenge of being both the sound designer and composer for a feature film, making this a unique and valuable experience for me.
The film tells the story of two Chinese immigrants grappling with life in American society and culture. Some of its themes explore women’s struggles, cultural divides, East Asian familial relationships, and American romantic relationships—covering a wide range of social issues. After watching the rough cut, I was deeply moved, and I felt incredibly fortunate to be part of such a meaningful project. The post-production process was long and slow, taking us from late 2022 to the fall of 2024, and we’re still in the final revision stages. In 2023, changes were made to the story structure, which led to reshoots in May of that year. As a result, we had to constantly revise the sound design and score for the existing cut while waiting for the new one. Once the final cut was ready, we edited the sound for the new sections, integrating them with the previous parts, and made the final adjustments and mix. It was a demanding process, but it made me feel like I was growing alongside the film during this nearly two-year journey.
Since I was still in graduate school until May 2024, and Yang Yang had many other work commitments, we decided to meet online two or three times a month to update each other on progress and continue refining this slow-moving project. Along the way, our bond grew stronger both professionally and personally.
The film will be released soon, and I’m so excited for everyone to see it—stay tuned!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Yiran Chen, and I am a dedicated sound designer with a passion for creating diverse audio experiences. My portfolio spans a wide range of sound and music production projects, including production sound mixing, post-production sound for films, sound and music design for theatrical productions, music recording and production, and sound design for virtual reality games.
My work encompasses a wide range of projects, from the narrative feature film “American Byproducts” and the sci-fi short film “Deep Blue” to the Korean documentary “Safari” and the theatrical adaptation of “The Metamorphosis” produced by Mou Theatre. As a sound designer, I thrive on contributing to the unique identity of each project. In my spare time, I also enjoy creating my own music, including original songs like “The Relic Linked to All” and “Warm-toned.”
With over five years of experience in sound design, I have had the honor of having my work showcased at numerous prestigious film festivals. These include Academy Award Qualifying festivals such as the Austin Film Festival, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the New Hampshire Film Festival, as well as the Canadian Screen Award Qualifying New York Shorts International Film Festival.
I take great pride in supporting a crucial aspect of each project through sound. This sense of fulfillment as a behind-the-scenes contributor has been a driving force in my career. I aspire to continue working on a wide array of projects, whether in location recording or post-production sound work. Each experience I gain fuels my creativity, inspiring me to create more sound art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply rooted in the joy I discovered when I played with the Voice Memos app on my first iPod as a child. Even in middle school, I began recording, reconstructing, and presenting the personal acoustic experiences of my daily life with that device. Whether it was the sound of munching crisps or the rush of running to catch the subway, I captured all these sounds with the iPod tucked in my pocket. Listening to the playback of these recordings allowed me to relive those moments, creating a powerful connection to my memories.
Sound, with its elusive nature, is both instinctive and emotional. It can evoke memories and create a sense of space. Unlike vision, where we can turn our heads and choose what to focus on, sound surrounds us from all directions, entering our ears indiscriminately. This omnipresence gives sound a unique authenticity.
Now, as a sound designer, I am continually excited by the opportunity to create sounds that do not exist in reality through technology. This aspect of sound design grants me a sense of freedom and the ability to explore limitless possibilities. In a cinema, while the screen is fixed in front of the audience, sound envelops them in a 360-degree experience, offering a truly immersive journey. One of my primary goals throughout my creative journey is to use my sound design to fully immerse audiences in the world of the work, allowing them to experience the emotions and thoughts conveyed by it. It brings me great happiness to leave such experiences in others’ lives through sound.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Communication has always been key in building my reputation. People get to know you through meaningful conversations. Whether it’s during networking events or while collaborating with artists on creative ideas and project details, I make sure to present my most positive side and share every idea I can think of. This not only highlights my professionalism but also demonstrates my enthusiasm and commitment, which helps strengthen and maintain valuable connections. Building strong relationships with industry peers and participating in collaborative projects have expanded my network, leading to new opportunities and referrals.
At the same time, I continuously work on improving my skills. My passion for sound creation drives me to push creative boundaries, motivating me to stay updated with industry trends and refine my expertise. Using cutting-edge technology in my work gives my designs a fresh, innovative feel, which makes others more curious about my abilities and potential.
Overall, it’s the combination of diverse skills, collaboration with talented individuals, exposure through festivals and events, a passion for innovation, and effective networking that has helped me build my reputation as a sound designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yiranchenamelia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenyiran_amelia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiranchenamelia
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/yiranchenamelia
  IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13644015/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ37YTx94mFPuwuoCTtYuw43bdHRzztMtErtzhw1-SQ4s0SqrNZUt-YbwU_aem_DGzFAoILRUHAWceFG-j7Bw&ref_=ext_shr_lnk