MEET MENGYING “IRENE” YANG & PEIER “TRACY” SHEN – THE NEW PRODUCER DIRECTOR DUO TO WATCH
Los Angeles, CA, July 22, 2020 (LA Post) – Given the rise of emerging talents from Asia, we are particularly happy today to sit down with Peier “Tracy” Shen and Mengying “Irene” Yang, the director and producer of the award-winning AFI thesis film, “Out of Place.” A dual narrative about a young aspiring Chinese pianist and a Mexican house painter going through a day of disillusionment of American Dream as neighbors. The story is especially resonating in this turbulent time where the need for human connections is deeply felt.
After graduating from the American Film Institute Conservatory, both Irene and Tracy continue to shine in their respective fields. While Irene is working as a Creative Executive who oversees the development of over 50 feature film and television projects, Tracy is pursuing several independent projects, including her first feature.
- What initially attracted you to the project, “Out of Place”?
Menging “Irene” Yang: Because Tracy and I were both outsiders growing up, we both have the urge to connect and share our feelings with people. And I have always believed in the power of films, that they could resonate, inspire and even change people. The first time when we sat down and talked about this story, we connected instantly and I felt that this story needed to be told.
Peier “Tracy” Shen: I’m always very happy when Irene talks about the story, because I know she really understands what I’m trying to say with “Out of Place.” And to have a producer by your side that says what you’re trying to say means a lot to her is a beautiful experience. And I think somehow it’s that same “hidden” agreement among strangers, that inexplicable thread among us that really makes me want to make this film.
- How was working together as producer and director?
Tracy: Irene and I actually never worked with each other before “Out of Place.” But I had a really good feeling when I first met her. I think we’re very different, but also surprisingly similar. Irene is a go-getter and she speaks her mind. It’s really a refreshing quality because so many people lie to you either to not hurt relationships or to just manipulate you. Either way, it really saves everybody a lot of time and energy from doing the dance of guessing what the other person really feels. Nobody had a hidden agenda. We just tried to make the film as best as we could.
Irene: Tracy and I clicked the first time we talked, I was fascinated by her intuition, range of emotions, and the ability to tell stories. When it comes to working together, I think the key to our pleasant partnership is that we communicate honestly and wholeheartedly. We are both very dedicated to what we love, and our skill sets are complementary, which also helped. Also, Tracy takes notes very well and is open to all kinds of possibilities, which I think is crucial to being a director.
- What are some of your influences? What inspired you to become filmmakers?
Irene: I have been passionate about film since I was very young. One of the first films I watched was “Titanic”, I was so amazed at what people can do in a film so I dug into behind-the-scenes to find out how it was made. Later on, I watched “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and fell deeply into that world, and that was when the seed of wanting to be a filmmaker was planted in me. I love how filmmakers can build a world in a film and show people whole new perspectives. On the other hand, the most important thing in a film to me is if it touches me on a deep, emotional level. Because that’s how I felt films changed me, and I want to make films that change people in that way.
Tracy: I didn’t grow up watching films. There weren’t that many around when I was little and whatever that were showing were too “spectacular” (maybe “testosterone” is the right word) — a world of VFX and explosions that somehow escaped me. So actually, my earliest artistic aspirations had to do with writing, music, and photography. And I think it was really my ambition to combine all my desires that led me to film… But sometimes I feel like I actively chose a profession to be less alone.
As for influences, Chantal Akerman, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Alfonso Quarón, Edward Yang, Chloé Zhao, Taika Watiti, Steve McQueen… There are so many. This might be a nerdy and slightly stalky thing to say. Haha… I’ve never met them personally, but I think about their films all the time that I feel like I know them sometimes.
- What kind of projects are you interested in?
Tracy: I’m always interested in character-driven pieces. It’s even better if they could somehow comment on something bigger than the individuals. I usually write my own film. But I’m really curious about the stories out there. I’ve been doing very intensely introspective work and I think it’s important to look outside for a while. There are genres and styles that I want to do and try and haven’t gotten a chance to do so. So I’m really eager.
Irene: As a producer/creative executive, I’m interested in many kinds and genres of content. What I see as the most important values are the complexity and richness of characters, the concept of the story, and the message it has to tell. I’m passionate about multicultural stories, as I think they play an important role in showing people that humans have more in common than differences.
- So what’s next for you two? What are you currently working on?
Irene: I’m currently working at Starlight Media Inc., a film financing company that has signed development deals with a dozen top-tier directors including James Wan, Jon M. Chu, Sam Raimi, Robert Zemeckis, etc. I oversee the creative process of more than 50 feature film and television projects in development, coordinate with the directors’ teams, and evaluate project packages for financing decisions. Some of the recently announced projects I’m in charge of include: “Golden Empire” starring Donnie Yen; an untitled supernatural horror film to be produced by Sam Raimi and to be directed by Rob Savage. I’m very excited about the multicultural direction that Starlight is taking, and I aim to develop more refreshing projects with diversity and inclusion.
Tracy: I wrote and directed a short right after graduation, called “Like Flying,” which is in the festival circuit now. I’m also currently in the process of finishing up the post of another short, called Jagged Joy. I didn’t write that one but I really enjoyed the process of coming on board as a director. You get a little bit more distance and you can really focus on the executions. But of course, there are two more shorts I wrote that I’m seeking finance for. I am very curious and I always want to explore more to see if I can push a theme further. So I’m just really excited to try something again soon, after this pandemic.
But more importantly, I am in development of my first feature. I want to explore a Chinese mother-daughter relationship through their respective romances and how their adventures reflect upon the Asian experience in the Western world.
