Editor’s Note: “REEL AAPI” is our annual celebration of the talented Asian American Pacific Islanders in the worlds of advertising, film, TV, music, radio and media. Through their contributions and creativity, they are making a difference on a daily basis. This list includes people like the award-winning director and editor Vanessa Yuille.
Vanessa Yuille is an award-winning director and editor. Her debut feature documentary Doctor Who Am I had its North American release a little over a month ago through Gravitas Ventures after a successful UK release through Kaleidoscope in October 2022.
The doc played at festivals all over the world and won the Audience Award at the London Sci-Fi Film Festival and Best Documentary at the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival. Vanessa has also won accolades for her documentary, An American Contradiction, which investigates one of the Japanese American concentration camps from WWII, as well as gained notoriety as an editor on projects for Nike, Michelob, and Volkswagen to name a few.
Let’s meet Vanessa!
What’s your origin story?
I sprouted in Wisconsin and grew up in a family that loved movies. Deep down I wanted to be an actress. Instead, I studied Astronomy in college before managing an indie record label in NYC. I kept hearing the moviemaking siren call and moved west to get my MFA in film. I wanted to tell my mother’s story. She was born in a Japanese American incarceration camp during WWII, and my family never talked about it. I wanted to make a documentary and learn about my history at the same time.
How did you get into the film industry?
After college I shortly lived out my childhood dream to be an actress and got a chance to be on set. I loved it and was intrigued by the whole filmmaking process. After film school, I learned that I could make money as an editor, and by happenstance, I fell into commercial editing, which has been my bread and butter.
Who were your mentors?
My co-director, Matthew Jacobs, has been a mentor and a big influence on my career. He was one of my teachers in grad school. I assistant-directed, co-produced, and acted in a couple of his features. He went from being a mentor to a friend and collaborator. He calls it “finding your film family.”
While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
Getting Doctor Who Am I out into the world. Directing, producing, and editing my first feature documentary has taken much longer than expected. It’s been nearly a decade of pouring my heart and soul and resources into this one thing.
It was a gamble, and I’m so relieved that the world can now see it. The outpouring of positive feedback has felt like a ginormous embrace, compressing all of the blood, sweat, and tears into a shiny diamond.
What drives you to create?
The quest for identity and finding one’s place. These themes tie into both Doctor Who Am I and An American Contradiction.
Award you crave, but haven’t won?
An award from Sundance or Toronto would be amazing. While the recognition of hard work is very satisfying, it’s not my goal.
REELated:
What shows/movies/songs are doing the best job of portraying strong Asian women?
I loved Everything Everywhere All at Once. I loved the Asian American cast, strong female characters, and mother-daughter relationships. Also, Michelle Yeoh just kicks ass. She’s fierce, vulnerable, and just gorgeous!
Is there still a boys club in your industry?
In the film world, yes, although I have met champions along the way. In the commercial editing world progress is being made. At top commercial houses, there are more women editors now than there were even 5 years ago.
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour. Name a famous woman (living or dead) you would like to attend each function with:
I’ll stick with the living and breathing:
-Coffee: Lisa Ling
-Lunch: Serena Williams
-Happy Hour: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled against Roe v Wade. What can women in your industry do to defend a woman’s rights?
Good question. I’m totally open to ideas because I wonder the same thing. There are so many stories of women’s lives being turned upside down. We could tell those stories. If anyone out there wants to collaborate, let me know.
What keeps you up at night?
When it’s not the upcoming general elections or the threat of nuclear winter: binge-watching television shows.
What’s up with Beyoncé being nominated for 4 Best Albums of the year but never winning?
Beyonce is an icon, and her throne on Mount Olympus is already set. She’s had more of an impact on the world and history than the Grammys ever will. Yeah, it’s dumb, but so are the Grammys.
What’s next for you?
Hello fiction! I’m delving into fiction and am writing my first feature. As for documentaries, I want to have a budget BEFORE shooting (#learning), so working on that, too.
Nominate Someone You know For Reel AAPI
