QIWEI GRACE HE – Hollywoods Lady of Sound in a very personal interview !

QIWEI GRACE HE – Hollywoods Lady of Sound in a very personal interview !

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QIWEI GRACE HE is Hollywoods Lady of Sound. For the first time the Netflix Sound Designer shows us her inner world and we understand how she puts magic in our ears like no one else is capable too.,,

I. How do you describe yourself in one sentence?

I was born with sound and I was born for sound.

2.

How does all this buzz about you feel?

I worked very hard on my skills and i am thrilled that the industry pays attention to my work, i love to work and create sound magic.

3.

Which achievement are you especially proud of?

My work on Edison’s Diorama has been nominated for a the 66th Golden Reel Award in the Verna Fields Award. It is the Oscars of the sound and audio world.

4.

What moves and encourages you?

My mother’s song, she is a fantastic Kunqu Opera singer, I was born with her song. Her song is like magic for me. Whenever I feel bad and helpless her song gives me hope and power.

5.

Are you upset about critique?

Not at all. If someone critique especially from professional area which means he or she is focus on you and pay attention of what you’ve done. I would definitely thank all these critique.

6.

Where does your next trip lead you to?

Seattle!Sleepless in Seattle, meet my friends and hear the rain outside, what a wonderful time.

7.

What can your assistant or help do that your smart phone can’t?

Gives me good suggestions not only work but also life because they know me well.

8.

Are you a night owl or early bird and why?

Night bird of course. There’s a Chinese poem says” I get a pair of dark eyes in dark night With them yet I’m looking for the light”. Night gives me inspiration.

9.

Whom would you like to dine with present or past (even a historic person)?

Randy Thom! The sound master who makes me decide to be a sound designer when I was 16.

10.

If you would bestow a decoration, order or honor who would receive it?

My parents for sure, they gave me life with gift of sound design.

11.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Blue jam café, really good place for brunch, I love the red velvet pancake and blueberry ricotta pancake a lot!

12.

The best place after a party night out in town?

Griffith Observatory, really quiet and romantic. Also this is one of the shooting location of Film La La Land.

13.

How can you be treated with a culinary delight?

I always make spicy hot pot, easy, quick, you can make it with friends.

14.

How do you relax?

Watch documentary at home.

15.

If you could be someone else for a week, who would that be?

Randy Thom, I really want to back to the time when he made Apocalypse Now and  How to Train Your Dragon. I want to feel what he was thinking about sound design, and I really want to collaborate with a bunch of sound artists about him.

16.

Your biggest hero?

My father. He is a good storyteller and knowledgeable historian. You know China has over 5000 years history and there are a lot of dynasties that many children even adults would confuse. My father made a poem of  dynasties in order for me to remember very easy. For me, he let me know the smart way to think and how beautiful Chinese culture is.

17.

Which character attributes do you treasure?

Be curious and be honest. When you be curious you are creative and full of power, when you be honest you feel peace and be indebted to everyone who you’ve met in this world.

18

Which book did you read last?

Notes on Blindness. I love this book a lot, actually I watched a documentary about the writer of this book and I bought this book later, this is his autobiography of how he feel the world after he be blind, this is the best book about sound and autobiography  that I’ve ever read.

19.

What is a perfect day?

A rainy day, I love the sound of rain, it’s music for me.

20.

What are you proud of?

My sensitivity in sound.

21.

Which dream do you want to fulfill yourself?

To become one of the most fantastic sound designers in th world.

22.

Whats your favorite drink?

Wine, I don’t know wine that much but I know what good wine taste like.

23.

Your biggest success?

Come abroad and be a sound designer in LA. Be nominated for a the 66th Golden Reel Award in the Verna Fields Award which is the biggest award in sound.

24.

Your biggest down?

My grandma passed away. She was always my first audience when I finish a project. She know me so well. So thie lost is my biggest down.

25.

What can’t you understand?

Man. Hahaha, I don’t understand them but I will still try harder.

26.

Which talent would you like to have?

To see the color of sound whenever I want.

27.

Share a life wisdom with us?

If you think you are unique, prove it.

28.

Life is too short to?

Doing everything you are interested in.

29.

How do you define luxury?

It’s a concept of how you see this world when you stand at the top of it.

30.

What do you always have in your fridge?

Tofu! I love it, and can make tofu soup, tofu salad, spicy tofu…too many dishes about tofu.

31.

Whats your life motto?

Hear the world and talk from the heart.

32.

Whats your favorite website?

YouTube, I live with it.

33.

Whats your favorite app?

Instagram for sure. The app about beauty and share.

34

Whats your favorite sport?

Swimming. Really good sport for relaxing yourself.

35.

What would be your last meal?

Must be rice cake with traditional spicy sauce from my hometown Nanjing.

36. Tell us something you never told anyone before?

I’ve done sound design for nine years and I still feel nervous every time before I beginning sound editing and sound mixing. Pretty much like pianist beginning playing piano before the concert. But once I hear the sound effect, I quickly into it and start my work.

Some of her work on her personal Website: https://www.heqiweisound.com/films–2614430011.html