We recently connected with Pengyifan Lou and have shared our conversation below.

Pengyifan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents always supported and respected me and my decisions. I remember hearing my teenage friends saying this often, “I wish my parents would let me do that.”

As someone who moved to Shanghai looking for a better life, my parents had little time to spend with me during my childhood. Unlike many other parents, however, they encouraged my hobbies, such as reading fiction and watching movies, even though these things did not directly improve my grades. I had considerably more freedom than my friends, and it was I, rather than my parents, who planned my weekly schedule and decided how to spend my leisure time. This is one of the key reasons that I’ve grown to be an independent person.

My father, in particular, encouraged me to travel abroad to learn about different cultures and see the diverse ways people live around the world. This encouragement led me to participate in an exchange program in England, an experience that quickly helped me realize my desire to come to America. After earning a Master’s degree in producing, I chose to pursue a career in filmmaking, becoming a producer and casting director.

I am very grateful for my parents’ support, trust, and love. They have always listened to me, respected my decisions and passions, and played a significant role in shaping who I am today.

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?

I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, an artistic city brimming with events. There, I discovered my interests in books, movies, musicals, and traveling. These ventures began my growth into an independent individual passionate about storytelling. Supported by my parents, I chose filmmaking as my major when I went to college. Then, I went to England and came to the United States to dive deeper into the world of films. Filmmaking has since become my career; I now work as a producer and casting director in film, TV, and commercials. What sets me apart from others in this industry is my international perspective. That being coupled with my commitment to being authentic allows me to be involved positively in representing my culture. I’ve been fortunate to see my work recognized and celebrated at film festivals, a testament to the creative vision that guides my projects. As a producer, the transformation of a thought or idea into a cinematic experience is what I find most rewarding. My role as a casting director allows me to uncover the talents who bring these stories to life, adding another layer of fulfillment to my career.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The most reliable source of new clients and opportunities has been the network I’ve created through my international studies and professional engagements. This network, enriched by my experiences across different continents, has been the best in connecting me with a variety of projects and collaborations. My work’s recognition at film festivals has also benefited my reputation. This helps me to attract clients who value the unique perspective and dedication I bring to my projects.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, my involvement in casting began as a complementary aspect of my producing work but quickly evolved into a core part of my professional life. Initially intrigued by the process of finding the perfect match for each role, my passion for casting grew as I worked more in this area. Combined with hands-on experiences talented casting directors and agencies transformed casting. This transformation makes it a secondary interest, into a central focus of my work. Today, casting is not just an add-on to my role as a producer; it’s a vital component of my tools needed in this storytelling industry. I really enjoy contributing to the filmmaking process in a deep, meaningful way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlouuu_/

Image Credits
Shangmou Xiu, Yuxi Liang, Tiancong Zheng, Israa Al-Kamali, Jianyu Li