By: Ethan Rogers
Qiqi Deng’s journey into the world of film editing began in Jingzhou, China, during her teenage years. A pivotal moment came when she watched the film Whiplash (2014), which had a significant impact on her. The dynamic rhythm and emotional intensity of the film, crafted by editor Tom Cross, sparked her interest in visual storytelling. This experience made her appreciate the power of editing to shape time, tone, and emotional responses in an audience. Driven by this passion, she pursued her studies in film production in Arizona and later specialized in editing at the American Film Institute.
Widely regarded as a highly influential voice in editing, Qiqi has built a reputation for exploring new approaches to pacing and rhythm across both festival films and vertical storytelling platforms. For her, editing represents a blend of artistic expression and technical skill, and it is the narrative potential editors possess that continues to inspire her work.
Her editing work has been recognized across the international festival circuit. Her short film A Plus—which explores the pressures of traditional education in China—earned Best Editing at both the Vancouver International Movie Awards and the International Independent Film Awards, along with additional honors at the Hollywood Gold Awards, WorldFest-Houston, and Global Film Festival Awards. The Burbank International Film Festival, Diversity in Cannes, the LA Asian Film Festival, and the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival also selected the film. Her more recent short films, Joy and Echoes, have also received attention, with selections at the LA Shorts International Festival, California Women’s Film Festival, and the Indie Short Festival. These accolades reflect both Qiqi’s artistic integrity and technical proficiency, laying a strong foundation for her continued work in the mobile-first short drama space.
One of the first projects that helped solidify her love for editing was A Plus. The initial footage was fragmented and lacked continuity, presenting a challenge that Qiqi embraced with enthusiasm. Through editing techniques such as flashbacks and parallel cutting, she transformed the raw material into a cohesive narrative that deepened the emotional arcs of the characters. This experience highlighted the editor’s crucial role in enhancing performances and storytelling, teaching her that editing is not merely about assembling scenes; it’s about breathing life into the footage and uncovering the emotional truths within.
A particularly memorable moment in her career occurred while editing A Plus. There was a key emotional scene where the lead character experiences a breakdown, encapsulating a whirlwind of fear, anger, and helplessness. Initially, finding a single take that captured the character’s emotional complexity was challenging. However, through collaboration with the director, they made the decision to remove the original music and replace it with a string score. By concluding the film abruptly during this peak of vulnerability, they created a powerful emotional moment that resonated deeply with audiences, illustrating how editorial choices can influence a film’s emotional trajectory.
Building on her achievements in the festival world, Qiqi brought her talent to the fast-evolving landscape of vertical short-form content. As lead editor at DramaBox—a global leader in mobile-first storytelling with over 30 million monthly active users—she has contributed to shaping the language and rhythm of this format. Her work on My Lovely Wife is a Big Shot helped the series achieve a strong performance during its launch, garnering 32.5 million views. Shh… We Are A Secret also performed well, drawing 31.9 million views, and was designated a 2025 Premium Tier release. Through these projects, Qiqi has honed an efficient editorial workflow and helped shape the emotional and narrative pacing that has become an integral part of the vertical drama format.
Qiqi employs various editing techniques to convey emotion and strengthen storytelling. She believes that rhythm and nuance are essential in creating an emotional experience. By manipulating pacing, she can build or release tension, often using crosscutting to elevate suspense or highlight contrasting character dynamics. Reaction shots help ground the audience in a scene’s emotional reality, while silence can be just as impactful as music. Sound design also plays a crucial role, with ambient sounds and musical cues further enhancing the emotional tone of each scene.
Staying inspired during challenging projects is integral to Qiqi’s creative process. Whenever she faces obstacles, she revisits the core elements that first drew her to editing storytelling through rhythm and emotion. Watching films by accomplished editors or reflecting on her favorite sequences can help reignite her passion and remind her of the possibilities in editing. Engaging in conversations with other creatives often sparks new ideas, while personal hobbies like photography and reading provide a necessary balance, refreshing her creativity and perspective.
Her editing process begins with an in-depth analysis of the script, focusing on character motivations, story arcs, and emotional beats. Upon receiving the footage, she meticulously organizes it, tagging performances and camera angles to streamline her workflow. The initial cut is typically a rough assembly, allowing her to assess the overall flow. Through close collaboration with the director, she refines each scene, adjusting timing and enhancing visual rhythm while integrating music and sound design early on to shape the film’s tone. The final stages involve polishing transitions and ensuring continuity before preparing for color correction and audio mixing.
Collaboration is key to the success of any project Qiqi undertakes. She values the insights of directors, cinematographers, and sound designers, recognizing that their expertise can reveal layers of storytelling that may not be immediately apparent. The most successful outcomes tend to arise from a collaborative environment where every contributor’s knowledge is respected and integrated into the creative process. In post-production, Qiqi views her role not just as an editor but as a co-creator, working alongside her team to bring the film’s vision to life.
Addressing common misconceptions about editing, Qiqi emphasizes that it is far more than simply arranging clips in sequence. Editing is a nuanced process that involves emotional and narrative sculpting, where editors make critical decisions that shape the film’s impact. Additionally, the notion that the best performances are captured in a single take is often misunderstood; frequently, the most potent moments are created by blending multiple takes and strategically incorporating audio elements. For Qiqi, editing is about telling a story with intention and precision, transforming raw footage into a compelling narrative that conveys meaning.
Influenced by the works of editors like Tom Cross, particularly his editing in Whiplash, Qiqi appreciates the way he controls pacing and builds tension. Similarly, Lee Smith’s work on Inception has inspired her with its spatial clarity, especially in complex sequences. Such influences have shaped her understanding of editing as a combination of technical skill and artistic expression, guiding her approach to storytelling through the editing process.
For those just starting in the editing field, Qiqi advises viewing films with a critical eye, taking the time to analyze cuts and the reasoning behind them. Practicing editing on a variety of projects, even personal ones, helps develop a broad skill set. Seeking feedback, especially from individuals with different perspectives, is invaluable. Above all, she emphasizes the importance of patience, as editing is a craft that improves with experience and exploration.
Feedback and criticism are essential to Qiqi’s growth as an editor. She approaches critiques with an open mind, recognizing their potential to highlight areas that may need improvement. Learning to embrace feedback has not only refined her instincts but also fostered a collaborative spirit. It is not about pleasing everyone; it’s about remaining open to evolution and growth.
Looking to the future, Qiqi is eager to tackle projects within psychological thrillers, sports dramas, and multi-narrative stories that challenge conventional structures. She is also drawn to themes exploring social identity and interpersonal vulnerability in visually compelling ways. Ultimately, Qiqi aims to leave a lasting legacy through her editing that resonates with audiences, moving them not just with flashy cuts but through emotional depth, precision, and a profound respect for the characters and their journeys.
