Meet Vu Mai | Director, Screenplay Writer and Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vu Mai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vu, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art is the process and product of human creativity. It is the application of our imagination and skill. This is too important not to pursue. Life is too short not to create art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was an actress first. Being an Asian American actress in this industry had it’s trials and tribulations. Finding roles suited to my liking was difficult to say the least. I decided to harken to my screenplay writing skills (I minored in screenplay writing in college and never took it to any heights) and create my own roles and films. Therein grew a little creativity monster.

I began to write short films and commercials I wanted to see myself in. I began to explore roles for Asian Americans, women and specifically Asian American women which are not often explored. I wanted to give everyone a chance to have their voice heard – the ugly, the evil, the lonely, the addict, the misfit, the comedian, the beauty queen, the single mother, the single father – all of the voices. I wanted to break away from stereotypes and barriers.

I directed and produced my first film, “Fight Like A Girl” in 2020 during COVID and realized what a difference I could make by bringing my writing to the screen. With $200 for a budget and 8 hours to film – I learned a valuable lesson. Making a movie is STRESSFUL!! But also, perseverance, determination and having a dream are the key ingredients to succeeding. Succeeding isn’t about whether you win something. Succeeding is about finishing the project you set your mind on.

My goal is to create a different image of women and Asian Americans in the film industry – to give everybody and everybody a voice that can be heard.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Mexican food, live music, the beach (if this June gloom ever goes away), more Mexican food, beer and then more Mexican food.

But in all seriousness, San Diego has so many gems. Vu’s mini tour session would look like this:

– Breakfast at Little Lion Cafe in Ocean Beach. They have the BEST fruit bowls. I know…very so-cal of me.
– Walk on the beach and see dogs go ham in the water at the nearby dog beach or venture to other parts of the beach to watch surfers
– Cruise through Balboa Park, maybe go see some museums
– Lunch at either the Taco Stand, Luche Libre, City Tacos or a well known taco truck
– Wander around South Park or North Park – grab a craft beer or some other trendy new drink
– If you’re into zoo animals, the SD Zoo is the absolute best. It is beautiful, well kept, humane and a lot of fun.
– Dinner at Underbelly – their ramen is the best…
– Cap off with drinks at a dive bar – maybe the Livewire

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My good friend Oscar Riveros – owner of Lead Wolf Productions. He has believed in my passion and dreams since the very beginning. A creative mind, himself – his answer to my projects and ideas was always “Yep, let’s do it.”

Website: https://www.soleilbringsthelight.com/

Instagram: vudmai

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.me/vumai

Image Credits
Tiziano Mammana Michelle Slentz Fabiana Cardenas