We recently connected with Ran Li and have shared our conversation below.
Ran, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
From an early age, my natural affinity for storytelling led me to pursue a career as a professional screenwriter. Prior to gaining acceptance to USC film school, I immersed myself in books about screenwriting, such as Robert McKee’s “STORY,” and studied screenplays of my favorite films. I also engaged in constant daydreaming, inventing worlds and characters, and sharing stories with friends and family—a process that brought me immense joy.
Can you share any lessons you’ve learned along your journey?
If I could enter a time machine and go back, I would advise my younger self to focus not only on generating new story ideas but also on breaking down films by identifying acts, sequences, and scenes. Understanding the structural elements of a script is crucial, and this realization came to me later in my career. Screenwriting is undoubtedly a craft that demands continuous practice, refinement, and a commitment to perfection.
In your opinion, what are the most important aspects for mastering your craft?
In my view, the core skills essential for mastering storytelling are storytelling sense, taste, and sensitivity.
Storytelling sense is the innate ability to captivate people through narrative, either inherent or acquired through practice.
Taste dictates the stories one is drawn to tell and how they choose to narrate them. Developing personal taste is crucial and involves self-discovery over creative years.
Sensitivity involves observing and absorbing story seeds from the world around us. It requires finding beauty and meaning in seemingly ordinary situations, combining it with one’s unique taste to craft narratives that stand out. Sensitivity also entails identifying the optimal angle for storytelling to maximize emotional impact.
What is the biggest challenge or obstacle you’ve encountered?
The primary obstacle to learning more about storytelling, in my opinion, is self-doubt. Many storytellers, including myself, have faced moments of near-depression after reviewing initial drafts. As one wise storyteller noted, during these times, doubt extends beyond questioning one’s screenwriting ability to questioning personal worth. The key is tenacity—to recognize that all ideas, especially in their infancy, are fragile. No one produces a flawless screenplay on the first attempt. Passion and love for storytelling should be the driving forces, overcoming the persistent doubts that may linger. Ultimately, as you improve your story over drafts with a strong storytelling sense, refined taste, and heightened sensitivity, your work could be shared with the world one day.
Ran, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello, my name is Ran Li, a screenwriter and director of Chinese origin. My love for storytelling dates back to my early years, and it fueled my Hollywood dream when I decided to become a screenwriter. I successfully entered the USC School of Cinematic Arts, majoring in Film & TV Production with a focus on screenwriting. While I also enjoy directing, I consider mastering the art of writing as the essential foundation for my craft.
My professional journey is divided into two main parts: working for hire, where I write for other producers or companies, and working on my personal projects, where I develop my own film and TV scripts, pitching them to studios and production companies. The first part not only provides financial stability but also offers invaluable learning experiences from seasoned industry writers. The second part is where I pursue dream projects, hoping to elevate my career to new heights. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding approach, and I believe this two-part strategy serves me well.
In my work for hire experiences, I contributed to a groundbreaking AI/robotic company by crafting Sci-fi stories around their renowned robot personality. Additionally, in 2023 and 2024, I served as a co-writer for a top-rated Chinese animation anthology series centered on Chinese mythology. What sets me apart as a candidate for these diverse projects is my genuine passion for the topics, be it the science-fiction genre or Chinese mythology. I firmly believe that pursuing work aligned with your passion benefits both you and your collaborators.
One of my proudest aspects is my unique background and life experience. Having been born and raised in China before pursuing my graduate studies in the United States, I’ve navigated two drastically different societies in terms of culture and values. Instead of assimilating to the point of losing my cultural roots, I embraced my diverse experience as an advantage. In a time when Hollywood craves fresh stories from around the world, I see an opportunity for Asian storytellers to thrive—just look at successes like “Parasite,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” or “The Farewell.” With effort and a bit of luck, I am confident that my unique voice will resonate with a global audience in the near future.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Engaging in writing for social change is a driving force behind my goals. In today’s world, where misunderstandings, misconceptions, and even hatred persist among countries and cultures, I believe storytelling serves as a potent tool for fostering understanding and fresh perspectives. It operates as a powerful and empathetic magic, acting as a bridge that draws people from diverse corners of the globe closer together.
However, I emphasize that a compelling story must, above all, be entertaining—it’s a prerequisite. Nobody enjoys feeling lectured; they crave an intriguing narrative. Even when delving into the most somber and dark narratives, I make a conscious effort to imbue them with an intoxicating quality. Drawing from the storytelling skills I acquired in Hollywood, I have learned the ability to craft stories that are not only impactful but also engaging.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the pinnacle is reached when I’ve crafted a “perfect” story—an intricate harmony between structure, characters, and plots where each element complements the others like instruments in a masterfully orchestrated symphony. Admittedly, I haven’t achieved this perfection yet. I believe there are only a handful of truly flawless stories or movies in human history. Nevertheless, the pursuit of perfection is a constant endeavor.
As Kubrick eloquently put it, “… when you finally get it right, there are not many joys in life that can equal the feeling.” To me, the journey toward that elusive perfection is a joy in its own right.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ran-li-400b45ab/
- Other: https://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/ran-li
Image Credits
Steven Lam (only for the photo with the background saying ACE)