Yiming Pan: Illuminating Hollywood and Championing Diversity Behind the Camera

Los Angeles-based gaffer (lighting designer) Yiming Pan is making waves in the film industry, not only for her expertise in cinematic lighting, but also for her commitment to fostering greater gender diversity behind the scenes.

Her journey, which began in China and led her to Hollywood, is a testament to her passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in the power of visual storytelling.

Yiming’s fascination with the art of light and shadow began in her childhood. Her father, a photography enthusiast, introduced her to the art form at a young age, igniting a passion that would shape her future. She recognized early on the profound impact lighting could have on storytelling, a realization that fueled her desire to explore the craft further.

She honed her skills at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts, a nationally recognized film school. This rigorous training provided her with a solid foundation in the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking, preparing her for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Throughout her career, Yiming has contributed her talents to a variety of notable projects. She served as the gaffer for Noseeums (2024), a film showcased at the prestigious Cannes Market, demonstrating her ability to work on high-profile projects with international reach. Her work on King’s Cup (2022–2023) further showcased her skill in crafting lighting designs that enhanced the visual narratives. On Parasomnia (2024), which was executive produced by Dan Clifton, she demonstrated her technical prowess and ability to collaborate effectively within a team. All of these experiences have solidified her reputation as a skilled and reliable professional in the industry.

Yiming’s dedication to her craft has been recognized with prestigious accolades. Her contributions to Don’t Blink contributed to the team’s recognition with The Gotham Award, highlighting her commitment to impactful storytelling, and is a testament to her technical and artistic achievements.

However, Yiming’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has witnessed firsthand the stark gender imbalance in the film industry, particularly within the technical departments.

The Gender Imbalance in Lighting Departments: A First-Hand Account

“Lighting departments have traditionally been one of the most male-dominated areas in film production, both globally and especially in China, where I started my career,” Yiming explains. “Early on, I almost never saw women working in G&E. Even now, it’s still rare to see women in those roles back home.”

She recounts the cultural barriers she faced early in her career. “In some regions, women in film crews are even seen as taboo—I’ve personally witnessed beliefs that a woman sitting on an apple box or equipment case could bring bad luck or be considered ‘unclean.'”

Pan adds that: “These kinds of superstitions make it even harder for women to be taken seriously or feel welcome in the department. When I started, I constantly had to prove not only my skills but my right to be there.”

Moving to the U.S. marked a turning point in her career. “It was a turning point—I finally saw women thriving in lighting departments, which gave me the confidence to pursue gaffing professionally,” she said. “Even here, female gaffers are still the exception, but I’m proud to be part of a new generation helping change that narrative and open doors for more women in this field.”

The Need for Diversity in Hollywood’s Technical Departments

Yiming believes that addressing the gender imbalance in Hollywood’s technical departments is crucial for creating a more inclusive and representative film industry.

“Hollywood’s technical departments—especially in areas like lighting, grip, and camera—are still overwhelmingly male and lack meaningful diversity,” she asserts. “While progress has been made on-screen, behind the scenes the numbers remain stark. For example, in 2022, only 4% of cinematographers and just 8.8% of directors on top-grossing films were women. In lighting and electrical departments, the representation is even lower, with women of color being especially underrepresented. As a woman of color working as a gaffer, I’ve often been the only person in that intersection on set.”

She emphasizes that this lack of representation has a direct impact on the stories being told. “This lack of representation isn’t just a numbers issue—it affects how stories are told and whose experiences are centered. More inclusive crews bring richer perspectives, more nuanced problem-solving, and greater authenticity to filmmaking. If we want cinema that reflects the world we live in, then the people shaping the visual language of that cinema need to reflect it too.”

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Community

Yiming candidly discusses the challenges she has faced in her career, including cultural barriers, language differences, and the feeling of being an outsider.

“One of the biggest things I’ve had to overcome in my film career is the feeling of being an outsider—both culturally and professionally,” she shares. “I started in China, where technical roles like gaffer are heavily male-dominated, and in some places, even carry superstitions that discourage women from participating. I’ve experienced moments where just sitting on an apple box was seen as ‘bad luck’ simply because I’m a woman. That kind of mindset made it hard to feel like I belonged.”

Despite these obstacles, Yiming found support and encouragement within the film community. “When I moved to the U.S., I faced a new set of challenges: language barriers, cultural differences, and starting over without connections. But despite all of that, I’ve met so many passionate, supportive peers who share the same love for filmmaking.”

She continues, “I’ve also had the privilege of learning from experienced Hollywood professionals who were generous in passing down not just the techniques they inherited from the generation before them, but also their own evolved insights. Lighting for film is an art form that evolves with every era, and thanks to the people I’ve met along the way, I’ve been able to grow within it—not just despite the challenges, but because of the community that helped me through them.”

The Crucial Role of Women in Film: A Shift in Perspective

Yiming articulates why it’s essential to have women both on and behind the screen in the film industry.

“For so long, women have existed in film as the ones being looked at—rarely the ones shaping the gaze,” she explains. “We’ve been the ‘second sex,’ seen through someone else’s lens, our stories filtered or simplified. That’s why it’s so meaningful when women step behind the camera. Moving from being the subject to the storyteller is more than a career move—it’s a quiet revolution. It’s the beginning of something more equal, more honest.”

She believes that women bring a unique perspective to filmmaking. “When women light scenes, direct moments, or write characters, we bring a truth that can’t be imitated. We notice the quiet details, the overlooked emotions, the unspoken dynamics. We bring our lived experience to the frame. And that doesn’t just change the story—it changes the feeling of the entire set. It makes the process more human, more compassionate.”

Inspiring Future Generations of Female Filmmakers

Yiming is passionate about inspiring greater gender diversity behind the scenes.

“I aim to inspire greater gender diversity behind the scenes simply by showing up fully—as myself, in a leadership role that women are rarely seen in,” she states. “Representation is powerful, especially in spaces where it’s been missing. I didn’t grow up seeing women working in lighting, and for a long time, I didn’t believe I could belong in this field. Now, every time I step onto a set as a gaffer, I hope someone else sees that it’s possible.”

She actively creates supportive environments on set and advocates for hiring women in technical roles. “I also make it a point to create supportive, respectful environments on set—places where people feel safe to learn, ask questions, and grow, regardless of gender. When I have the opportunity, I advocate for hiring women in technical roles and mentor younger crew members who are just starting out.”

Crafting a Lighting Strategy for Feature Films: A Collaborative Approach

Yiming describes her process for developing lighting strategies for films like Noseeums, Parasomnia, and King’s Cup.

“I spend a lot of time understanding the emotional arc, tone, and visual language that the director and cinematographer want to build,” she explains. “From there, I invest heavily in communication and prep—discussing each story beat with the director to grasp its emotional intent, and collaborating with the DP to shape the overall visual style and pacing. I also break down every location and shot, creating detailed lighting plans and backup options so we’re ready for anything on set.”

She emphasizes the importance of emotional clarity in her approach. “Across all projects, my strategy is rooted in preparation and emotional clarity—building a lighting design that not only supports the story, but deepens the viewer’s emotional connection to it.”

Yiming Pan’s journey is an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers, particularly women, who dream of breaking into the traditionally male-dominated world of technical film production. It isn’t just women on the screen who stand out, but those who work behind the scenes to make the films happen. Pan’s career is a testament to that. Her talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to diversity are illuminating a path for a more inclusive and representative future for Hollywood. As she continues to seek projects that challenge her creatively, Yiming remains a powerful force for change, one light at a time.

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