We were lucky to catch up with Meitong Ye recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meitong, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In June 2023, as vertical dramas gained popularity, our team secured a $120,000 investment for a vertical screen drama, ‘Dark web of desire’, launched on the leading DramaBox app. This project not only attracted a wide audience but also established a foundation for my subsequent vertical format projects. Over the past year, I’ve developed a series of vertical episodes, enhancing my skills and positioning me as a forward-thinking producer in this evolving industry. In the past year, our team has produced over 10 vertical dramas. The most popular of these, ‘How to Snatch a billionaire’, has amassed over 300k views on YouTube.

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?

 During my undergraduate studies, I was introduced to production techniques for television shows, sparking a deep interest in the broader field of film production. I completed my Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Spring 2023, where I developed extensive skills in film production management, including budgeting, scheduling, and post-production. Proficient in Movie Magic Scheduling, Movie Magic Budgeting, Studio Binder, and Final Draft, Meitong has successfully managed complex film projects and leveraged these tools to optimize production workflows.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Certainly. A major part of my role involves bridging the communication gap between non-film professional investors and our production team. These investors often have a clear vision but might lack the technical language to convey their needs accurately. My job is to ensure that both sides understand each other perfectly to meet the project’s objectives effectively.

For instance, investors sometimes provide editing feedback using general or inaccurate terms. It’s my responsibility to decode their feedback and translate it into precise technical language that our editors can act on. A specific example of this is replacing vague notes with specific timecode notes, which helps streamline the editing process and ensures that the client’s vision is realized accurately.

Essentially, it’s about being an effective communicator and a problem solver, which are key in managing and exceeding expectations.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

After completing my Master of Fine Arts, I managed a $10,000 project which marked my entry into professional production. This experience, along with a six-month freelance stint as a producer and post-supervisor, honed my skills in managing productions efficiently. Recognizing the potential in vertical screen formats, I joined GOODSHORT, a pioneering platform in short-form episodes. Prior to that, I worked as Freelance Post-Producer or Production Manager on over 10 vertical short productions. These early works and my ability to adapt to emerging trends helped me secure my current position, where I continue to explore innovative content production.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vimeo.com/user103287883
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yemeitong/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meitong-ye-69936b253

Image Credits

Haoyang Sun
Amadorama