We were lucky to catch up with Willington Liu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Willington, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my first film when I was 17 years old. It all began during my final semester of senior year in high school. While applying to colleges with dance or political science majors in mind, a mentor helping me with my applications learned about my artistic background, which primarily included dance and singing, along with some acting as a hobby. This mentor informed me about a Chinese director based in LA who was looking for young Chinese or Chinese American actors to participate in a training camp in China and ultimately act in a Chinese film. Upon hearing about this opportunity, I felt a calling for me to fulfill a childhood dream, and to commit to a path that would make myself and my family proud.

I met with the Chinese director and with the help of her referral, and successfully landed a live audition. Then followed by a call back which took place in Beijing, China. After the callback audition, I waited two more weeks before receiving a final acceptance offer to train for 8 months in Beijing for the movie trilogy “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms,” directed by Wuershan, I made the decision to forego my college plans, dance teams and take time away from family and friends in the States to pursue this opportunity.

Upon arriving in Beijing for the training camp, it was a huge culture shock. Placed in a camp with thirty young aspiring actors, the atmosphere was intense, resembling a military boot camp. Our goal was to shape raw talent into seasoned performers fit for the big screen and to train all necessary components to portray warriors from a fantasy land of centuries ago. As the youngest in my group, I had to mature quickly and keep up with the grueling yet rewarding classes, which included acting, /martial arts/war drumming, etiquette, singing, horse riding, and Chinese literature/history.

Under the guidance of world-renowned professional instructors, our days were meticulously scheduled, with every aspect of our training—from classes, to diet and sleep schedules—carefully planned. Each month concluded with a performance, where we showcased our progress to a panel consisting of the director, producers, industry leaders, and executives involved in the creation of the film.

After six grueling months, we completed the initial boot camp training phase and moved to Qingdao’s Wanda Studios for the final two months of training for the official film, which included more detailed training for film requirements. The final two months were relentless. We woke up daily at 4 a.m., ran 10 kilometers around an island, worked out until 8 a.m., and then had breakfast. After a short break, our classes commenced until lunch, followed by one more class and acting and blocking rehearsals.

When filming finally began in September 2018, it felt like a dream. Immersed in the role of a warrior prince from the western provinces, I faced off against Gods and monsters, armies of the north, forged deeper bonds with my fellow actors, and brought life to scenes that I had only ever imagined in some of my favorite fantasy epics. Despite the harsh weather conditions—from freezing winters to scorching summers—the experience was nothing short of exhilarating, making it one of the most rewarding times of my life and solidifying my path as an actor.

Willington, 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?

I’m an American-born Chinese actor with a deep-rooted passion for the arts. Growing up in Whittier, California, just south of Downtown Los Angeles, I was surrounded by creativity from a young age. My father’s talents as an oil painter, sculptor, and Chinese Wushu practitioner, along with my mother’s skill as a Chinese violin (erhu) player, instilled in me a love for diverse art forms.

From piano and painting to singing and Latin ballroom dancing, I explored various artistic avenues throughout my upbringing. Dance, in particular, became a significant part of my life, starting with Latin and ballroom lessons at the age of ten. I continued to pursue my passion for dance, joining Diamond Bar High School’s All-Male Hip Hop Dance team and participating in other hip-hop groups like Junior Hitlist and GRaVy Babies.

In high school, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of my future path. While I cherished dance, I hesitated to pursue it as a career. It was during this uncertain time that a serendipitous opportunity arose—a chance to audition for “Creation of the Gods”.

Following a live audition in LA and a nerve-wracking callback audition in Beijing, I received the incredible news—I was selected from a pool of 15,000 applicants to join a select group of 30 aspiring actors for the film. This experience marked the beginning of an exhilarating journey into the world of acting, igniting my passion and setting me on a path of discovery and growth in the realm of storytelling through film.

After completing the film, I pursued further training and education in the field of acting, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Walt Disney’s California Institute of the Arts. I then had the privilege of signing with prestigious management and talent agencies in Hollywood. My love for learning has also increased, I continue to hone my craft through rigorous training in martial arts with XMA Action at 87North and acting with acclaimed coach Aaron Speiser.

Drawing upon my unique blend of experiences as a Chinese American actor who has worked both in China and Hollywood, I hope to offer advice and guidance for young aspiring actors. This commitment led me to establish Creation Talent Academy, a platform that offers comprehensive training in acting, singing, dance, and action acting; martial arts for film. Our academy provides young and beginner students with portfolio building, reel footage filming, and conservatory-style training typically found in collegiate programs, along with performance and industry showcase opportunities.

At Creation Talent Academy, we strive to empower young talents to pursue their dreams while offering guidance and support every step of the way. From conservatory style courses, to college advice to audition preparation and one-on-one coaching, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of well rounded, multidisciplinary actors and will help them carve out their own paths in the world of entertainment.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During my training in China, I faced challenges that tested my resilience. At 17, without access to VPN technology, I couldn’t use social media, which turned out to be a blessing. It allowed me to fully focus on my training and become the best version of myself. As an American-born Chinese, reading Mandarin Chinese text posed a challenge. While others could prepare for acting scenes with relative ease due to simply knowing how to read the text, I had to painstakingly transcribe phonetics and research unfamiliar words. Despite this, I refused to let it hold me back. Being the youngest among my peers, I knew I had to work twice as hard. What kept me going was the thought of making my mother proud. Her support and sacrifices inspired me to persevere, no matter the obstacles.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

One invaluable piece of advice I would offer to young actors and creatives embarking on their journey is to seek guidance from seasoned professionals in your industry. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance; building a supportive network of mentors and peers can make all the difference. I often reflect on the wisdom encapsulated in the quote, “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This serves as a reminder to surround myself with individuals who uplift and inspire me, rather than drain my energy. While it’s beneficial to assemble a team, particularly of seasoned individuals, it’s essential to exercise discernment. Not everyone who offers assistance has your best interests at heart. Choose your allies wisely, prioritizing those who genuinely seek to support your growth and success.

Contact Info:

• Website: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10725308/
• Instagram: instagram.com/willington.liu

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