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

Wuliang, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I was born in Wenzhou, a southern city in China, and my first encounter with the world of film was as a minor performer on a feature film produced by my mom in my hometown. I vividly recall being so excited that I ate up all the noodles in my bowl, only to realize it was just a rehearsal. We went back to one, and I found myself eating another bowl of noodles. This repeated until I couldn’t bear to have one more and gave out a loud burp during the action take, eliciting laughter from the entire crew.

Despite it being just one afternoon, the magic of film left a lasting impression on my childhood, sparking my interest in stage performance and short video shooting throughout middle school. This fascination eventually led me to the Beijing Film Academy, where I received my initial professional training as a filmmaker.

During my time at BFA, I gained valuable film production experience and had direct opportunities to learn from frontline filmmakers in China. I underwent training in various on-set positions and learned the essence of crafting a compelling story.

In my sophomore year, I attempted to take charge of a department, producing a low-budget feature film, which turned into a nightmarish memory. The lack of a standardized producing system in the Chinese film industry led to inefficiencies, mistakes, and a low-quality final product. However, my junior year as an exchange student at Columbia College Chicago exposed me to a well-organized Hollywood production system, which sparked a realization of the need for a standardized approach in the Chinese film industry.

My research for a graduate essay further solidified my belief that the Chinese film market requires talented producers with international industrial production experience. This realization became the driving force behind my decision to pursue further studies in the U.S.

Fortunately, I gained admission to the American Film Institute Conservatory, one of the top film schools in the U.S., where productions adhere to strict Hollywood industry standards. The journey at AFI has been challenging—no time for food, sleep, or personal relaxation, and each film production presents a unique set of challenges. However, it is a community filled with lovely and talented individuals who share a common goal: to create touching and exceptional movies. During my time at AFI, I have produced 12 narrative short films, line produced/UPM’d 10 short narratives, and 20 short commercials. I take pride in what I have achieved and look forward to continuing to produce compelling stories both in the U.S. and China.

What’s your most proud project you have made?

I am most proud of the thesis film I produced, titled “THE BULLFIGHTER.” This ambitious project revolves around a once-honorable bullfighter, now working as a parking lot attendant, who stands up for a pregnant woman being bullied by a bull-like man to complete the last bullfight of his life. The narrative unfolds across three distinct time periods and locations, featuring a cop’s gunshot in downtown LA, the intense backdrop of giving birth amidst flying bullets, daring action stunts, and, as the title suggests, an actual bullfight.

The project, deemed challenging by faculty members who doubted its feasibility, initially faced hesitation from other fellows. Despite my own reservations, the allure of a compelling story overcame my fears, and I enthusiastically took on the challenge.

Producing a project, to me, is not akin to dating; it’s more like a marriage. Once the decision is made, I commit to putting forth every effort to bring the vision to life. Extensive research into bullfighting as an event and a trip to Mexico to immerse myself in their cultural context allowed me to better understand the core of our story. Frequent communication with our director and detailed notes facilitated a shared vision.

During physical production, I, along with my producing partner, ensured meticulous organization and steady progress. Our dedicated team, akin to real “bullfighters,” collaborated efficiently. We broke down complex scenes, created video storyboards weekly, and found creative solutions to make scenes both achievable and impressive. As the producer, I take pride in successfully raising a $60,000 budget and executing all scenes with a multi-camera setup within a 10-day production window and a crew of 70. The efficiency and methodical organization of our team surprised and pleased both crew members and faculty.

Fortunately, our efforts were rewarded with an outstanding score during the AFI FEST screening, Poland Camerimage student award and student DGA award. This project has instilled in me a greater confidence that nothing is impossible when fueled by genuine passion and dedication.

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

Hello, my name is Wuliang Zhang, a recent MFA producing graduate student from the American Film Institute Conservatory.

“Master Wuliang” is what my college mates call me. One reason is that my name, Wuliang, is one of a Chinese Buddha master. Another is that I am known for being a perfectionist in my schoolwork and film production. I instantly felt an aura of honor being called that way and started acting like a master: serious, theoretic, and prudent. Honestly, I am an actor playing the role of master, because it has since won me many new friends and the chance to become a popular teammate. Once they get to know me better, my mates figure out I’m a funny guy who’s doing his best, like all of them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding moments occurred during my third project at AFI BELOVED. This project was pitched by producing fellows, and we assembled a team with them as the main idea contributors. My story was based on the true account of a Chinese pregnant woman navigating the pressures of son-preference tradition, ultimately facing the heart-wrenching decision to give up her own daughter.

It was interesting to note that the story was in Mandarin, yet neither the director nor the writers were Chinese. As the producer, I had to provide extensive cultural background and guide my creative team on the nuances of how Chinese people speak and act. This process was challenging, given the common Western stereotypes about Chinese culture. Moreover, the sensitive nature of the topic made it crucial to avoid portraying Chinese people in an unfavorable light. Fortunately, due to the collaborative and open-minded attitude of the team, we developed a script that felt convincing and acceptable not only to Chinese audiences but also relatable and emotionally resonant for Western viewers.

As we transitioned to the production phase, I was fortunate to find a talented Chinese production designer and editor who not only understood the culture but also deeply cared about the story. Together, we fine-tuned the narrative into a more culturally authentic Chinese version while searching for the right cast.

The most significant challenge in this production arose when we struggled to find a suitable Chinese house location for our story. After much discussion, we decided to construct an authentic Chinese house ourselves. Additionally, casting Chinese actresses, especially for older roles, proved to be a formidable challenge, prompting us to consider adjusting the characters’ ages by ten years.

I take pride in the fact that after the film screened at AFI with fellow filmmakers, some non-Chinese friends approached me and shared how moved and touched they were by the characters and the narrative. Experiencing this feedback, I felt a profound sense of joy knowing that our collective efforts had paid off and that a compelling story could resonate with audiences, regardless of their cultural backgrounds.

Are there any moment people doubt about your job as a creative?

For those outside the industry, the role of a producer is often misconstrued as merely coordinating logistics—searching for locations, ordering catering, or setting up crafty tables. Even some individuals within the industry might not fully grasp the diverse responsibilities of producers, as their interactions may be limited to observing producers checking on the crew’s work on set.

Contrary to these perceptions, producers are akin to directors, cinematographers, production designers, editors, and all storytellers who contribute creatively from the inception of an idea to the final screening of the film. It’s crucial for people to understand that producers carry the creative aspects of the story for a more extended period than most other positions.

Similar to directors and other key creatives, producers play a vital role in shaping the narrative and bringing it to life. They are integral contributors to the entire creative process, from the conceptualization of the idea through its development, production, and eventual presentation to audiences. Their involvement extends far beyond the logistical aspects commonly associated with their role.

In essence, producers are storytellers who weave together the intricate threads of a project, ensuring that the creative vision is not only realized but also enhanced throughout the filmmaking journey. It’s essential to recognize the multifaceted nature of a producer’s work and the significant impact they have on the artistic and creative aspects of a film.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thebullfighter.net
• Instagram: steven_zhang_wuliang
• Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wuliang-zhang-799155235/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wuliang-zhang-799155235/

Image Credits
Eva Zheng, Annie Zhang, Jie Luo