Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shiheng Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shiheng, appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

In the creative industry, the client services aspect and the personalities involved truly constitute a significant 80% of the business, and this realization took me by surprise! In the midst of a world that values technical skills and personal artistry, especially in the vibrant creative hub of Los Angeles, I’ve consistently found myself navigating the delicate balance between my artistic endeavors and mastering interpersonal dynamics.

Let me share a story that illustrates this point. It happened during the “Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23” project on a particularly challenging day. We were deeply immersed in a complex mix, with time working against us, and a palpable sense of creative weariness and exhaustion lingering in the air. Recognizing the need for a brief escape, I suggested a change of pace: we decided to do push-ups and squats in the parking lot during the golden hour. As we exercised, our conversation naturally shifted from work-related topics to personal stories, shared laughter, and cherished memories. This brief break rekindled our spirits, and when we returned to our tasks, the atmosphere was revitalized. This experience serves as a reminder that while our profession demands technical expertise, the true essence of our craft lies in genuine human connections and interactions.

Shiheng, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello from Jzoo Studios! I’m Jedy, and I’m here to tell you all about us. We’re a well-known group based right in the heart of Los Angeles, and we specialize in production sound and post-production. Our whole foundation is built around serving the creative minds of the future.

Our approach is intelligently acrobatic.

We use sound and visuals like a kind of dance to dig deep into the human experience. We explore what makes us all tick, the way our minds work, and then we use all of that to craft stories that capture the magical essence of life.

In the world of making movies, Jzoo Studios really stands out. We’ve worked with big brands and some really amazing talents. You can hear our work in things like Polo Ralph Lauren’s lively collections, the hit albums from Panic! At The Disco, and those groundbreaking campaigns from AT&T. We’re pretty versatile too, collaborating with famous names like Don Julio, LG, Google, and even legends like Billie Eilish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Whether it’s telling stories for big companies like Target or indie sensations on YouTube, we mix innovation and art to create some pretty amazing success stories.

And when it comes to post-production, we’ve got some seriously talented folks here at Jzoo Studios. We’ve worked with stars like Ethan Hawke, Ed Sheeran, and the Jonas Brothers, which has really boosted our reputation. You can also hear our signature sound in movies and TV shows on big streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. These are the kinds of films and series that get attention at fancy film festivals all over the world. We’ve got a knack for making things look and sound great, whether it’s in a short film like “In Your Light, Do We See Light,” or a Nike campaign like “Moving Mountains,” which made a big splash at the Tribeca Festival.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

When we started Jzoo Studios, we mainly focused on making sounds for productions. We got to work with some great brands and talented people. But we didn’t stop there; we also worked on cool projects in post-production. Like a music video series called “Moonlit Fools” by Sam Dew, who got nominated for a fancy UK Music Video Award. And we did a series for Nike called “Moving Mountains” that got lots of attention at the famous Tribeca Festival.

But the real game-changer was teaming up with Unbridled Sound for an HBO docuseries called “The Anarchists.” That’s when we realized our side gig could be our main thing. From that point on, our journey has been pretty exciting.

One big moment was working on “Dicks: The Musical” for A24. It showed our dedication to doing great work and even won an award at TIFF. We also worked on a Netflix series called “Untold” that ranked in the Top 10 for a fortnight. It proved we could connect with people worldwide.

Being part of HBO’s “The Lionheart” documentary made us super proud. It competed at the Tribeca Film Festival, and that was a big deal for us. Each of these projects wasn’t just a job; it was a testament to the passion and hard work we put into Jzoo Studios with Unbridled Sound.

Looking back, it’s clear that our dedication, along with the trust and opportunities from our partners, has turned Jzoo Studios into a respected name in the industry. Every story we’ve helped tell and every partnership we’ve built has strengthened our mission and vision.

At its core, Jzoo Studios has always been about pushing boundaries, being innovative, and creating stories that leave a lasting impact on the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the core of Jzoo Studios is a strong passion for storytelling. We are dedicated to exploring the intricacies of human experiences and emotions, and skillfully translating these complex elements into engaging audio-visual narratives. Whether we are working on a feature film, a documentary series, or branded content, our focus remains firmly on supporting stories that deeply resonate with audiences.

Central to our collective is an ongoing pursuit of human connection. We highly value genuine interactions with collaborators, clients, and audiences, considering them as essential as the final cinematic product itself. With a vision that knows no bounds, we create content that transcends specific niches and speaks to a global audience. Our mission is to touch the hearts and minds of people around the world through the art of storytelling.

Contact Info:

• Website: jzoostudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/life_jedy/

Image Credits
Getty Images Shiheng Xu