Jessica Lingmin Yu (born 1966 in New York City) is an American film director, writer, producer, and editor. She has directed documentary films, dramatic films, and television shows. Yu won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (imdb) (1997). Yu's latest film "Last Call at the Oasis" (2012), based upon Alex Prud'homme's "The Ripple Effect".
I find there's always the idea that ends up keeping you up all night -- that's the beginning of the obsession that will have enough momentum to carry you through the film. I don't want to work on a film where by the end you're totally sick of it.
2
[1997 Oscar Acceptance speech] You know you've entered new territory when your outfit cost more than your film.
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Fact
1
Is a big admirer of writer/artist Henry Darger, whom she featured in a film.
2
Is drawn to dark or humorous subject matter, preferably both.
3
Yu graduated from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, with a B.A. in English.
4
Graduate of Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California; classmates included screenwriter Marsh McCall, editor Phil Faroudja and others.
5
She stumbled upon film production when looking for a job allowing flexible hours so she could continue competing in fencing.
6
Member of the 1986 USA National Fencing Team that competed at the World Championships. Graduate of Yale University. Participated in 1983, 1985, and 1987 US Olympic Festivals Named to the NCAA Women's Fencing All-Decade Team in 1991
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Maria Bamford Untitled Comedy Special
2017
TV Movie post-production
The Guide
2013/I
Documentary completed
Pure Genius
2016
TV Series 1 episode
James Turrell: You Who Look
2016
Short
Lady Dynamite
2016
TV Series 1 episode
Castle
2016
TV Series 2 episodes
American Crime
2015-2016
TV Series 2 episodes
ForEveryone.Net
2016
Documentary short
Parenthood
2012-2014
TV Series 4 episodes
Misconception
2014/I
Documentary
Scandal
2012
TV Series 1 episode
Meet Mr Toilet
2012
Short
Grey's Anatomy
2006-2011
TV Series 6 episodes
Last Call at the Oasis
2011
Documentary
The Kinda Sutra
2009
Documentary short
Ping Pong Playa
2007
Protagonist
2007
Documentary
The West Wing
2001-2004
TV Series 3 episodes
American Dreams
2004
TV Series 1 episode
In the Realms of the Unreal
2004
Documentary
The Lyon's Den
2003
TV Series 1 episode
Mister Sterling
2003
TV Series 1 episode
The Guardian
2003
TV Series 1 episode
ER
2002
TV Series 1 episode
The Living Museum
1998
Documentary
Better Late
1998
Short
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
1996
Documentary short
Men of Reenaction
1994
The Conductor
1994
Sour Death Balls
1993
Short
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
ForEveryone.Net
2016
Documentary short
Last Call at the Oasis
2011
Documentary written by
Ping Pong Playa
2007
Protagonist
2007
Documentary
In the Realms of the Unreal
2004
Documentary
The Living Museum
1998
Documentary writer
Better Late
1998
Short
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
1996
Documentary short written by
Men of Reenaction
1994
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
ForEveryone.Net
2016
Documentary short producer
Meet Mr Toilet
2012
Short producer
Last Call at the Oasis
2011
Documentary producer
Protagonist
2007
Documentary producer
In the Realms of the Unreal
2004
Documentary producer
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
1996
Documentary short producer
Men of Reenaction
1994
producer
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision
1994
Documentary associate producer
Editor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Guide
2013/I
Documentary completed
Protagonist
2007
Documentary
In the Realms of the Unreal
2004
Documentary
The Living Museum
1998
Documentary
Better Late
1998
Short
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
1996
Documentary short
Men of Reenaction
1994
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Picture Bride
1994
script advisor
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tyrus
2015
Documentary special thanks
Moment Theatral
2007
Short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
TakePart Live
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Capturing Reality
2008
Documentary
Herself
The 69th Annual Academy Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Winner: Best Documentary Short
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2013
Audience Recognition
Aspen Shortsfest
The Guide (2013)
2004
Best Documentary Feature
Ojai Film Festival
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)
2004
Best Documentary Feature
Vancouver International Film Festival
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)
1997
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)
1997
Asian Media Award
Asian American International Film Festival
1997
Best Short Film
Shorts International Film Festival
Documentary
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)
1996
IDA Award
International Documentary Association
Short Documentaries
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)
$1.9 Million
