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

Alright, Carol Yan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I never imagined becoming a sound designer when I was a kid. I have vivid memories of sitting on the back of my dad’s bike, humming melodies. I was only five years old. My dad would often tell me that I used to describe the color of each sound I heard, though I don’t remember this myself. What I do recall is lying in bed, listening to the white noise in the room, and trying to figure out what was making the sound before I fell asleep.

As a teenager, I lost touch with my connection to sound and instead fell in love with filmmaking, which eventually led me to enroll in film school. It was there that I rediscovered my passion for sound. Working on sound in film school made everything click, and I realized how much I love narrative sound.

Since then, I have embarked on a journey as a sound mixer and designer for films and other narrative media. I’m truly in love with crafting the auditory experience that enhances storytelling.

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 Carol Yan Li. I’m an award-winning sound designer for films, video games, and multimedia. I hold an honored BFA in Film and Video from the School of Visual Arts and an MM in Music Technology from New York University. During my studies, I had the privilege of being trained by two Oscar-winning professors: Chris Newman, known for his work on “The Godfather,” “Silence of the Lambs,” and “Amadeus,” and Tom Fleischman, recognized for “Hugo,” “The Irishman,” and “Shutter Island.”

I began my career in filmmaking in 2014 and transitioned to working in sound in 2016. My work has been showcased at prestigious film festivals, including Cannes, the Student Oscars, Busan Film Festival, and NYIFF, among others. In 2021, I was a finalist for the Student Recognition Award from the Cinema Audio Society. In 2023, I received a game sound design scholarship from the Game Audio Diversity Alliance.

I am passionate about all forms of art and media. My career objective is to collaborate on projects with complex narratives in any medium. My sound design skills are highly adaptable to different genres and are known for their strong emotional connection. I’m always exploring a new way to tell a story through sound.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The most important resource I wish I had known about earlier is confidence. Growing up as a female in Eastern Asian culture, I was always taught to be humble and not to show off. However, from my years in the industry, I’ve seen many people securing better jobs because of their confidence and their ability to present themselves effectively.

I didn’t have that confidence when I was younger. I used to work ten times harder, hoping people would notice my abilities. I’ve learned that it’s crucial to have confidence and to project that energy at any stage of your career. Confidence not only enhances your presence but also significantly aids in building connections.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Creating my own sound design is just one part of the process. When working with a director, 50% is about my work, and the other 50% is about communication. Beyond producing high-quality design, I adapt my workflow and communication style based on how the director operates.

If the director has a specific auditory vision, I strive to reproduce their idea as accurately as possible. If they need guidance, I provide several ideas and explain how each will impact the audience. I always maintain positive communication and foster a friendly working environment.

I have found that this approach helps directors feel comfortable and confident in trusting me, especially when we are working together for the first time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolyanli.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolyanl/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-yan-li-b6b38619a/
• Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10075461/