We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mingyuan Gao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mingyuan below.

Hi Mingyuan, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

The Vanishing Footage: A Lesson in Responsibility and Growth in the Film Industry

The film industry is inherently unpredictable, and as a Digital Imaging Technician (DIT), my responsibility is to maintain order amidst the chaos, ensuring that every frame of footage is safely preserved. However, an experience at the 2021 FIRST Film Festival in China taught me firsthand how the pressure of this industry can push one to the brink.

At the time, I was working as a DIT for a production with a tight three-day shooting schedule. The first two days went smoothly—I worked seamlessly with my partner, following standard procedures to back up and manage the footage. But on the third day, in the middle of filming, my partner suddenly turned pale and said, “Yesterday’s footage is missing.”

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

I quickly retraced our data management process and realized a grave mistake—on the second day, we had two storage cards, one for each of the A and B camera units. However, during the backup process, my partner had mistakenly copied the same card twice, while the other had never been backed up. Worse still, following the filming workflow, the unbacked-up card had already been formatted and reused for that day’s shoot. This meant that an entire day’s worth of footage had been completely erased.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Cold sweat ran down my back as a single thought dominated my mind: I had to find a way to recover the data. I immediately rushed back to the base camp with the formatted card, attempting to restore the lost footage using data recovery software. However, as the progress bar slowly advanced, my hope gradually faded—the newly recorded footage had overwritten the previous data, making recovery virtually impossible.

When I returned to the set to deliver the bad news to the director and producer, the air fell eerily silent for a few seconds. Then came the expressions of disbelief. This production was already operating on a limited budget, with every day of shooting being a costly endeavor. Now, we were left with no choice but to extend the schedule by an extra day and reshoot the lost scenes at additional expense.

In the end, the team gritted their teeth, adjusted the shooting plan, and secured extra funding to complete the missing scenes. As for me, I carried an overwhelming sense of guilt and responsibility, having learned one of the most profound lessons of my career.

This experience made me realize that a DIT is not just a technical position but the last line of defense for an entire production. Even a small oversight can lead to irreversible consequences. Since then, I have completely overhauled my workflow.

Filmmaking is the result of immense dedication, talent, and perseverance. As a DIT, my role is to ensure that this hard work does not fall victim to avoidable mishaps. Although this mistake was a major setback, it ultimately deepened my respect for my profession and drove me to become a more meticulous and reliable film technician.

Now, every time I complete the final backup and hand off the footage, I remind myself that the value of a DIT is not in being noticed when things go right but in ensuring that not a single frame is lost when it matters most.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

From Editing Enthusiast to HDR Specialist: My Journey in the Film Industry

My journey into the film industry began during my undergraduate studies when I formally started learning film production. However, my true calling emerged from an unexpected encounter with video editing. That moment sparked my passion for post-production, and from then on, I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to shaping stories through editing and color.

In the early days of my career, I worked in a film equipment rental company, providing technical support. This experience gave me a solid foundation in the technical aspects of filmmaking, from understanding camera systems to handling high-quality footage. However, my real passion lay in post-production. Determined to become a skilled post-production artist, I immersed myself in learning various editing software, color grading techniques, and all aspects of Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) work.

Today, I specialize in DIT, editing, and color grading, ensuring that every frame of a film is not only technically flawless but also emotionally compelling. What truly sets me apart is my expertise in HDR processing—a highly specialized skill in the industry. I am a certified Dolby Vision HDR colorist, allowing me to work seamlessly with high dynamic range content and meet the most demanding visual requirements. This certification is one of my proudest achievements and a key factor that gives me a competitive edge in the field.

My artistic approach leans toward emotional storytelling—I love using color to enhance narratives, evoke feelings, and immerse audiences in a film’s world. Whether through the subtle shift of hues or the bold contrast of tones, I believe color is an essential language in cinema, and I strive to master it with every project I take on. My goal is to help filmmakers bring their visions to life, frame by frame, with precision, emotion, and impact.

Have you ever had to pivot?

From Technical Support to HDR Colorist: A Defining Pivot in My Career

The film industry is constantly evolving, and so are the people working in it. My biggest career pivot came when I transitioned from working in technical support for a film equipment rental company to becoming a DIT, editor, and HDR colorist—a shift that completely changed my trajectory.

When I first entered the industry, I worked behind the scenes in equipment management, providing technical support for productions. It was a valuable experience that gave me deep insight into the technical aspects of filmmaking—understanding cameras, storage workflows, and data management. However, while I was gaining technical expertise, I realized that my true passion lay in post-production. I wasn’t satisfied with just handling equipment; I wanted to be part of the storytelling process, shaping the emotions and visuals of a film.

This realization pushed me to make a bold decision: to pivot into post-production. I immersed myself in learning everything about editing, color grading, and DIT work. It wasn’t easy—moving from a technical support role to a creative and highly specialized field meant I had to build an entirely new skill set. I studied advanced color science, practiced extensively with industry-leading software, and eventually became a certified Dolby Vision HDR colorist. This specialization opened doors for me, allowing me to work on high-end projects that demanded precise HDR workflows and cinematic color grading.

Looking back, that pivot was one of the most challenging yet rewarding decisions I’ve made. It took countless hours of learning and refining my craft, but it allowed me to step into a role that truly resonates with my passion. Now, I not only provide technical expertise in image processing but also contribute creatively to shaping the visual tone of films.

This experience taught me that pivoting isn’t about abandoning what you know—it’s about evolving. My technical background still plays a crucial role in my work today, but now, I use it in a way that aligns with my artistic vision. That, to me, is the perfect balance of technical precision and creative expression—and the reason I love what I do.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Building Clientele: From Technical Support to Post-Production Expertise
Growing a clientele in the film industry is not just about showcasing technical skills—it’s about building trust, reliability, and strong relationships. My journey from working in film equipment rental and technical support to becoming a DIT, editor, and HDR colorist has given me a unique perspective on how to attract and retain clients.

1. Earning Trust Through Technical Expertise
When I first started in the industry, I worked in a film equipment rental company, assisting productions with technical support for cameras, data management, and workflow solutions. This role placed me in direct contact with cinematographers, directors, and producers, who relied on me to ensure that their footage was captured correctly and safely stored. Being dependable in a high-pressure environment helped me establish trust early on. Even though I was not yet working in post-production, I was already proving my ability to solve problems efficiently and protect a production’s assets. Many of the relationships I built during this period later translated into post-production collaborations.

2. Mastering a Specialized Skill Set
As I transitioned into post-production, I knew that simply being “good” at editing and color grading wasn’t enough—I needed a niche skill that made me indispensable. That’s when I focused on HDR workflows and Dolby Vision certification. By positioning myself as an expert in HDR color grading, I was able to stand out in a competitive field. Clients who required high-end HDR work sought me out because I offered something that not everyone could.

3. Word-of-Mouth and Industry Reputation
One of my most effective strategies has been maintaining clear communication and a problem-solving mindset. Productions don’t just hire post-production specialists for their technical ability; they want someone who can handle pressure, troubleshoot quickly, and contribute to the film’s overall vision. Being someone who understands both on-set workflows and post-production requirements has helped me bridge the gap between these two worlds, making me a valuable asset to many productions.

4. Adapting and Staying Ahead
The industry is always evolving, and staying relevant means continuously learning new tools and techniques. By keeping up with the latest developments in HDR, color science, and workflow optimization, I ensure that my services remain competitive. I also make an effort to educate clients on the benefits of HDR and high-end post-production techniques, positioning myself not just as a service provider but as a trusted advisor in their creative process.

Final Thoughts
For me, the most effective strategy in growing my clientele has been a combination of technical reliability, specialized expertise, and strong industry relationships. By proving my capabilities on set and later refining my craft in post-production, I built a network that continues to grow through trust and word-of-mouth recommendations. In this industry, talent is important, but trust and consistency are what keep clients coming back.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawn_gmy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingyuan-gao-6a59392b5?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app