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In this inspiring episode of Finding the Frame, hosts Lydia and Shane Hurlbut, ASC, sit down with talented director Emily Ting. Emily shares her incredible journey from Taipei to NYU film school, where she defied cultural pressures to join her family's toy business. She details the emotional conflict and eventual support from her father, and how after a decade working in Hong Kong, she made the pivotal decision to return to her true passion. Emily recounts the challenges and triumphs of her independent film career, from self-financing her first feature, Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, to gaining critical momentum at the South by Southwest film festival with her second feature, Go Back to China. This early indie work laid the foundation for her entire career.

Emily’s indie success opened the door to her first studio project, directing the Netflix feature Tall Girl 2. She offers a candid look at this experience, discussing how she navigated imposter syndrome and learned to embrace producer notes as opportunities to improve the story. A core part of her philosophy is leading with kindness and cultivating a positive, nurturing set environment, which she credits for the film's success. The conversation also provides invaluable advice on the art of the pitch, where Emily emphasizes that confidence and a clear, detailed visual presentation are often just as important as the content of the idea itself.

Finally, Emily provides incredible advice on resilience, sharing her powerful strategy for navigating the film industry's notorious downtime. She reveals how she maintains a disciplined writing routine, treating it like a job and aiming for ten pages a day, which led to a consistent and stable stream of work writing movies for Hallmark. She discusses finding creative freedom and personal meaning even within commercial projects, framing every opportunity as a gift. Emily’s story highlights how proactive hard work, a positive mindset, and strategic discipline are essential for forging a sustainable and fulfilling career in filmmaking.

More from Shane Hurlbut, ASC for cinematographers and do-it-all filmmakers:

-Cinematography: Virtual Location Scouting with the Insta360

-Cinematography: The EL Zone System Exposure Guide

-Shane’s Gear Bag

-Shane Hurlbut’s Go-To Lighting Package

-The Modern Cinematographer – On-Set Essentials

-Shane Hurlbut’s Kit

-Cinematography Mentorship – Shane Hurlbut, ASC 

-Design Your INOVATIV Cart for Film Production 

More from Lydia Hurlbut and her Leadership & Wellness Initiative: 

-4 Self-Care Tips for Filmmaking Entrepreneurs

-Plan Your Filmmaking Lifestyle for Success with Lydia Hurlbut

-Healthy Habits for the Post-Production Edit Bay

-Mental Health in the Film Industry