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

Murphy, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work—though it definitely didn’t happen overnight.

My journey started with a deep love for music and storytelling, which eventually led me into the world of sound for film and television. After studying film and working on a number of student projects in Beijing Film Academy, I transitioned into working professionally as a sound mixer and sound designer. For a while, I juggled multiple side jobs just to keep my creative career going. But over time, I built a network, honed my skills, and slowly started landing bigger projects and long-term collaborations.

One of the major turning points was founding my own company, which gave me the ability to contract independently and work on a broader range of productions. From music videos to feature films, I started getting consistent work. I’m also trying to diversifying into music production in the future,which will give me creative freedom and another income stream.

If I could speed up the process with what I know now, I’d say: focus on relationships early, invest in reliable gear gradually, and don’t be afraid to pitch yourself even if you feel underqualified. Experience comes with time and practice.

Today, I’m proud to say that my creative work fully supports me—not just financially, but emotionally and artistically. And I’m still learning every day.

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

I’m a production sound mixer with over a decade of experience in film and television. My journey started in 2013 when I was accepted into the Sound Department at Beijing Film Academy,the most prestigious film school in China and one of the top film institutions in Asia，which opened the door to the world of cinematic audio. Since then, I’ve worked on a wide variety of projects, including theatrical films, TV shows, documentaries,commercials, music videos, online series, and the now wildly popular vertical mini drama .

I specialize in location sound recording and mixing, with a foundation in post-production as well. What sets me apart is my ability to solve unexpected technical problems on set quickly and effectively. My speed and adaptability come from years of experience, but also from my constant curiosity — I’m always refining my workflow to find smarter, more efficient ways to work.

One of my strengths is communication. I naturally build rapport with crew members and talent, which helps everything run more smoothly on set.

I’m especially proud of the projects I worked on early in my career, including “Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back”, a fantasy film produced by Stephen Chow and directed by Tsui Hark, which grossed over $200 million worldwide — and I was only 19 at the time. While still in school, I also worked on the art film Mr. Problem, which later received recognition at the Golden Horse Awards.

In 2023, a short film I worked on in China called The Blind Zone was selected by Dances With Films film festival and screened in both New York and at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

After moving to the U.S., I’ve continued to expand my body of work. I’ve been the sound mixer on a number of hit vertical dramas, including “The Virgin and the Billionaire,” which topped the charts on the ReelShort platform with over 160 million views. I’ve also contributed to other top hit series on platforms like Dramabox and Sereal+ and so on.

I was fortunate to take part in the music video for “Give Me a Break” by Michael Clifford ft. Waterparks, and worked on a feature proof of concept starring Sean Astin and John Cleese — a project I’m excited to see grow into a full feature soon.

I’ve also worked on branded YouTube content for major companies like Riot Games, T-Mobile, and even the Doritos Super Bowl ad competition. From time to time, I contribute sound for experimental art installations, some of which have been exhibited at art galleries in LA.

What I want potential clients and collaborators to know is this: I bring not only technical skill and speed to set, but also a spirit of collaboration and positivity. As an Asian female creative in the film industry, I hope my journey shows that with time, dedication, and resilience, it’s possible to build a meaningful career — and thrive.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Absolutely. One of the biggest misunderstandings I’ve noticed is how often the role of sound in film and video production is overlooked — especially by people outside the creative world. To many, sound is just ‘there’ — unnoticed when done well, and only commented on when something goes wrong. But what most people don’t realize is that sound is half the storytelling. It shapes mood, creates immersion, and drives emotional impact.

As a production sound mixer, I’ve often worked in extreme weather, chaotic sets, or tight schedules, all while making sure the audio is clean, clear, and emotionally authentic. It’s a job that requires high technical precision, real-time problem-solving, and constant communication with directors, DPs, and talent — yet it’s rarely in the spotlight.

Another layer to this is being an Asian woman in this field. I’ve had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously in certain rooms. Sometimes I was underestimated or spoken over. But I’ve learned to let my work speak for itself. With time, consistency, and a calm but firm presence, I’m gradually earning respect and trust.

So if I could offer any insight to non-creatives: behind every clean line of dialogue or emotionally gripping moment, there’s a sound professional making hundreds of decisions per second. And behind that professional, there’s likely a long, often invisible journey of grit, resilience, and passion.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For me, the best source of new clients has consistently been word of mouth. In the film and content creation industry, trust is everything — and nothing builds trust like a strong referral from someone who has worked with you on set.

Because I work quickly, stay calm under pressure, and maintain clear communication with every department, I’ve developed a reputation for being both technically sharp and easy to work with. People remember how you made their job easier — and they tend to bring you onto their next project.

Another great source has been repeat collaborations. Once a director or producer works with me and sees the level of care I bring to sound, they often reach out again, or recommend me to their peers.

Since moving to the U.S., I’ve also found that bilingual ability and cross-cultural experience have helped. I can work on Mandarin-language productions as well as English ones, which gives me an edge in international and diaspora projects.

At the end of the day, I believe quality speaks for itself. One strong project often leads to three more — and I always strive to make each one better than the last.

Contact Info:

• Website: I’m making my company website recently!It will be out soon!
• Instagram: murphy_li_
• Other: IMDB:
  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15651347/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
  Xinpianchang:
  https://h5.xinpianchang.com/user/index.html?xpcApp=xpc&channel=link&type=URL&from=share&id=10297904&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLXASFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHqTcSPHXwxRILUPWocUYukl-aTq4EDIofPEn1woK-4XiJ6gbXq4zmJu712uO_aem_u3IVJ-YCd3t1zLbYuQuj3Q

Image Credits

GoShiggyGo Photography