From China, continents apart, to the streets of Los Angeles, where film production is always brimming with opportunities and the increasingly inclusive landscape is making it possible for the meritocracy to be above the backgrounds of individuals, Qiqi Deng is another valuable addition to the video editing scene.
Relocating to the US in 2018 with a pursuit of getting the highest quality of education in the best country in the world, Qiqi enrolled in film production at Arizona State University. But her journey to creating films goes back to her childhood. She was always fascinated by the idea of creating stories, the stretch of imagination that could be extended above and beyond to tell stories from all across the world. Growing up, she wondered if the part of the world she lived in was enough narrated in real-life scenarios. This curiosity and her early exposure to diverse cultures and stories fueled her passion for storytelling. However, it wasn’t until high school that her quest to be among the storytellers in some way or the other was fully recognized. She decided that she wanted to be the one behind the camera, the one that does the production to bring stories into its final form.
Unseen creative sparks
For the project, Qiqi’s skill set was put to the test as she effortlessly blended the genres of romance, suspense, action, and thrill. To emphasize the complicated emotional dynamics between the step-siblings, Qiqi utilized layered flashbacks and additive dissolves to mirror their psychological transitions. This stylistic choice heightened the tension and deepened audience empathy, setting the show apart from its contemporaries. The painstaking editing process was made possible by Qiqi’s team player skills, collaboration with the cast and crew, and her brilliant eye for intricate detailing. The final product exceeded all expectations, quickly earning applause from viewers who loved every aspect of it. The series garnered an impressive 700,000 views and counting, securing a well above-average rating of 8.4/10, ranking No. 1 across the entire DramaBox platform during its release period.Qiqi’s ability to transform herself from genre to genre speaks of her versatility and adaptability. Her diverse portfolio of work, from romance and suspense thrillers to action-packed projects, showcases her aptitude to be a quick learner. Her fast-paced, high-energy editing style in I’m the Rule, a mafia drama adapted from the popular Chinese vertical series Shadowed Thrones, was another massive success. Her strategic focus on nuanced performances, particularly by lead actor Eric Guilmette, boosted the show’s appeal and contributed to its widespread success across multiple platforms.
In the award-winning series The Devil Wears Desire, Qiqi’s mastery of state-of-the-art editing techniques was utilized to its potential. She brilliantly incorporated the nuanced emotional tensions of a love triangle using techniques such as speed ramping and layered sound design. One particularly memorable challenge involved a climactic crying scene that initially lacked emotional weight. By removing an existing music track and integrating subtle, evocative classical music alongside ambient sounds, she transformed the sequence into a moving moment, underscoring her instinct for emotional authenticity.
For Qiqi, editing for vertical formats is not just a technical adaptation—it’s an art form that demands a distinct approach to rhythm and emotional effect. She prioritizes character expressions and emotional beats through dynamic framing and angle variation while employing repetitive cuts and selective effects to maintain tension and engagement within the tight confines of a vertical frame. Sound design, she highlights, plays an equally important role in creating an immersive experience that resonates with smartphone content consumers.
Unlock new possibilities
Feedback from audiences and industry professionals consistently highlights Qiqi’s ability to build strong emotional connections and deliver compelling narratives. Comments like, “It keeps you hooked until the end. The emotions really came through,” affirm her commitment to crafting stories that resonate deeply.
Looking ahead, Qiqi is eager to explore genres like sports dramas and racing narratives, where energetic editing and dynamic storytelling can truly shine. She is also interested in short-form projects that explore psychological thrillers, personal identity, and contemporary social themes—areas ripe for experimentation and emotional exploration within the vertical format.
To those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Qiqi underscores understanding digital audience habits and perfecting concise, visually striking storytelling. While the industry has many opportunities, the environment is highly competitive, and the individual has to truly be committed to the work they are doing to shine in a pool of thousands of applicants. She encourages the new generation of editors to focus on capturing attention quickly, learning pacing, and continuously experimenting with new narrative techniques to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Discover hidden potentials
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