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

Zixuan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Among all of the production I did in my career, my thesis project should be the most meaningful one in my mind. It was a story about a lost immigrant Chinese boy struggling finding a place here in this foreign country, which deeply resonate with me. In the protagonist, I can see I saw the shared dilemmas of many immigrants, drawn by the charm of this country yet perpetually feeling adrift. Through this topic, I hope this film would not only resonate with viewers but also offer them solace.

On the production wise, it was also the craziest one in my experience. I had only one month for pre-production before principal shooting began, which pushed me to streamline every aspect of production—from assembling the team and scouting locations to managing the budget within an extremely short time. Undoubtedly, it was almost an impossible challenge but also an opportunity to hone and demonstrate my producing skills. Completing this project under such pressure was not just a professional achievement; it was a personal triumph.

Zixuan, 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?

Zixuan Wang is a producer based in New York, originally from China. She majored in Russian language and literature during her undergraduate studies, and later graduated from the Film/Creative Producing Program at Columbia University. Zixuan has produced over fifteen short films and has participated in several feature films. Many of her projects have been selected for renowned film festivals, including the Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival, LA International Film Festival, and New York Film Festival, among others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I was a kid, TV and movies almost filled my entire life. At the time, I never doubt the reality of those “worlds” on the screen, They looked so real that I learned much from them and were deeply captivated. As I grew older and realized that these “worlds” were actually crafted through filmmaking, I developed a profound respect for the craft. Filmmaking felt like magic, the art of creating a tangible world. I aspired to be part of this magical process, hoping that the worlds I created would move audiences as I had been moved in my youth. No matter how large or how small the project was, audience’s recognition and the emotions stirred by my work represent the greatest reward for me.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As a producer, my advice for managing a production team centers around communication, respect, and recognition.
Unlike other management roles, producers constantly face the challenge of working with new partners and building new teams for each project. This means that a producer is always engaged in the process of team integration. Production is an immensely complex and intricate system, and the producer is the only role that can oversees the entirety of the operation. Therefore, it is crucial never to take anything for granted and to ensure continuous, clear communication. This approach guarantees that everyone understands their roles and the expectations set for them, while also providing a comfortable environment for team members to express concerns and contribute ideas.

Equally important is fostering an environment of respect, where every team member feels valued for their unique contributions. This includes recognizing and celebrating successes, no matter how small, which not only boosts morale but also reinforces a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

Lastly, be proactive in addressing potential conflicts and you are approachable. The nature of filmmaking is incredibly dynamic, with every moment potentially bringing both foreseeable and unforeseeable challenges. Therefore, having robust contingency plans in place and ensuring timely coordination are key to managing a production team effectively.

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