Cinematography, to the industry leading Hanqing Ma, is about showcasing the beauty of the world and sharing it with others. From the moment he wakes up each and every day, he feels inspired to practice his art. Sipping his coffee in the morning and looking at the sunrise on his balcony, he will take out his camera and try to capture that moment, setting up the shot the way he would a masterful film. When he gets on a set, he takes that same approach, looking for the most beautiful and captivating way to tell the story.
“I believe that capturing the splendor of this earth is a way to share emotions with others. Imagery reflects emotion, which is why cinematography is essential to storytelling. Whether I am in any place or situation, if I come across something beautiful and I feel it can bring joy to myself and others, I need to capture that, and I love it,” said Ma.
Hailing from Shanghai, China, Ma has an extensive resume that exemplifies his extraordinary talent. He is internationally recognized for his abilities, taking home the award for Best Documentary at the 2019 CILECT Awards for his work on Choices, a film that explores homophobia in the Black community and the men who are affected by it every day of their lives. He recently won Best Cinematography at the 2023 Berlin Indie Film Festival for Break-In, with other credits like the 2020 drama Boy and the upcoming fantasy Anna for fans to look forward to.
Ma loves to explore his passion across all mediums, which is why, when he was approached by Singer/Songwriter XiGe Zhang to come on board the latest music video I Need a Change, he jumped at the opportunity.
“I like listening to music a lot in my leisure time, and I want to showcase music that not only contains interesting melodies but also tells a story. One of my director friends told me that he knew a great artist who constantly makes interesting music. Once I listened to the song I Need a Change my brain instantly went into action, envisioning unique shots for how the film could be made,” he said.
The I Need a Change video follows a determined woman, who after hitting rock bottom, confronts her inner demons and sets out on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
As a music video, the cinematography was of the utmost importance to the film’s success, as the story is largely conveyed through the visuals and lyrics of the song rather than dialogue. Ma was more than up for the task.
“I appreciated the emotional depth and universality of the song’s message, and I think it is important because it speaks to the human experience in a relatable way. It was inspiring to be a part of a project that aimed to connect with people on an emotional level,” he said.
When it came to working on the project, Ma described it as an exciting and collaborative process. It took some time to plan and execute camera movements and shots that enhanced comedic moments and timing, and Ma spent a lot of time talking to the director and production designer about locations and researching them during pre-production to ensure he knew exactly how to capture every image going into shooting. During production, he ensured lighting, camera angles, and shot composition were all working together to tell the story and enhance it and the comedy, aiming to keep the audience completely captivated during the entirety of the video. His expanded expertise outside his field in editing and visual effects were pivotal during production, as he was able to expect what post-production would need to make everything run smoothly, keeping that in mind while shooting.
“I enjoyed the collaborative nature of this project and working closely with the director to achieve the vision I provided to the production. I also appreciated the freedom to be creative and experiment with different ideas. It was rewarding to see the video come together over time and to be a part of a project that was both challenging and satisfying,” he said.
I Need a Change has already been selected for the upcoming Los Angeles Music Video Festival and the UK Music Video Awards, and will soon be making its way to even more acclaimed music video festivals. Ma is proud to have been such a vital part of the music video’s continued success, and finds it extremely rewarding.
“As a creative professional, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing your work appreciated and enjoyed by others. Knowing that the video has resonated with people and helped to promote the song and the artist is a great feeling,” he concluded. “I am proud of the work we accomplished on this music video, and I believe that it represents the best of what can be achieved through collaboration and creativity. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project for their hard work and dedication, and I look forward to the opportunity to work on future projects together.”
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