Min Dai is a producer and post-production supervisor originally from China who has made a name for herself in the competitive film industry in the United States. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has worked on a variety of projects, including the first U.S. and Chinese co-production, “Detective Chinatown 2,” and the PBS Emmy-nominated travel documentary series “Travels with Darley.”
Dai has also had the opportunity to work as a production manager with notable industry figures such as Academy Award nominated director Ramin Bahrani, known for “Man Push Cart,” “Chop Shop” and “The White Tiger,” and Emmy-winning director John Maggio. She served as the post-production supervisor and production manager on Bahrani’s feature documentary “2nd Chance,” which premiered at Sundance in 2022 and was acquired by Showtime, to be released in early 2023. The documentary has received critical acclaim from film critics and experts around the country. Dai has also served as the post-production supervisor and production manager on the Netflix documentary series “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey,” directed by Emmy nominated director Rachel Dretzin (director of “Who Killed Malcolm X”) and produced by Ark Media, which has received praise and garnered over 720 million views worldwide.
As a production manager, Min Dai’s role in the creation of these projects was extraordinary. She was able to ensure clear communication between the production team and post-houses and festivals, as well as present the director with archival options within the project budget. Her ability to keep the editing process on schedule for all other parts of post-production, including coloring, sound editing, and festival submissions, further solidifies her remarkable ability as a director and production manager. Working closely with director Ramin,
Despite these obstacles, Dai has persevered and credits working with collaborators who see her as an equal and give her room to grow as key to her success. She has worked on a variety of successful projects and has had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry’s biggest names. However, her experiences serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggles that Chinese-Americans face in the film industry and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment world. “The biggest lesson I learned from these experiences over the years is that I never gave up on trying to achieve bigger goals,” she states.
“I used to think producing was a very boring job,” the director states. “I realized that a producer is in charge of all the creativity in a project; having a good idea is easy, but without a good producer you are never going to make the idea come to life,” Dai concludes. The role of a director in any production is crucial as they are responsible for bringing the vision of a project to life. They oversee all aspects of a production, from the initial concept to the final product. Directors work closely with the writers, producers, and actors to ensure that the story is told in a compelling and cohesive way. They also make important creative decisions such as camera angles, lighting, and sound design. Directors often have the final say on all elements of a production and their leadership is essential in guiding a project to completion. Furthermore, their ability to collaborate, communicate and make quick decisions can help to align all the creative and technical elements into a cohesive whole. In short, a great director can elevate a production to a higher level and make sure it delivers the intended story and emotions to the audience.
Min Dai plans to be involved in more projects in the U.S. as a producer and is also dedicated to developing her own projects, both documentary and narrative, that address important social issues. Dai has a strong emotional connection to these issues and is driven by her desire to make a positive impact through her films. As she looks to the future, Dai is focused on continuing to grow and succeed in her career as a producer and entrepreneur, while also using her platform to shed light on important issues and bring about positive change. She aims to work on more projects, utilizing her skills to reach newer heights in her professional career.
Min Dai is a true trailblazer in the film industry, breaking barriers and overcoming challenges as a Chinese-American woman in a competitive and often discriminatory industry. With her impressive career highlights and dedication to her craft, Dai is a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration to anyone looking to make a name for themselves in the entertainment world. Her determination and resilience serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and the value of hard work in achieving one’s goals. As she looks to the future, Dai is poised to continue making a positive impact in the film industry and beyond.
To learn more about her previous projects and filmography, visit Min Dai’s website at www.leilamindai.com/ as well as her IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3970733/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2
