Jimmy Steinfeldt
November 24, 2025
Jimmy Steinfeldt: Dear Michael: Congratulations on your wonderful film Mushroom Dad.
In the credits you thanked your dad. How autobiographical is the film?
Michael Yuchen Lei: The film is more a tribute to my father, and all fathers everywhere, more than autobiographical. I think there are certain universal themes and conflicts between parents and children, particularly fathers and sons, and that was what I wanted to capture here.
What filmmakers influenced you?
I pretty much love and watch everything but when I was first falling in love with movies, filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Wong Kar Wai. David Fincher and Almodovar were big influences. Of course it’s hard not to be inspired by Spielberg or Coppola.
Where did you learn the art of filmmaking?
From going to the movies with my dad, the Criterion Collection, USC film school, the incredible fellowships I’ve been lucky to be a part of (including at Film Independent, Rideback RISE, Rising Voices, and Almanack Screenwriters) which has introduced me to some amazing mentors. My collaborators all teach me something new every time and honestly just making movies for the last decade or so now. There’s no better way to learn filmmaking than from practical experience.
What were your first still and film cameras?
I used to play with the family Sony MiniDV camcorder for filming and then had a small Canon point and shoot I’d take stills with. Eventually I got a Canon 35mm A-1 camera that I still love dearly.
Outstanding cinematography. How did you find your cinematographer and what was it like working with him?
My fantastic DP Mike Maliwanag was not only recommended to me by multiple peers, but also we both happened to be alumni of Film Independent’s Project Involve program (though from different years). I had seen and been a big fan of his work for a while so I was super excited to collaborate with him- and he blew all my expectations away. He was an absolute delight to work with and elevated the project in so many ways. He also happens to be one of the kindest, most generous human beings I’ve ever met.
Great cast. What was the process like working with your casting director?
Thank you for acknowledging! They were fantastic. And it was all due to our remarkable casting director Tanya Giang, who was also a blast to work with. Tanya had a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the best performers out there and approached the film holistically- thinking about not just each individual role but how the cast would coalesce collectively. She has incredible instincts and every single role was based on her recommendations.
What was the process like writing the script?
It was deceptively hard for what seemed at first to be a simple premise. I must have written a hundred drafts and the story actually went through many iterations before settling into what it eventually became. But what I did learn from the arduous development stage (which seems fairly obvious) is that the stronger the script, the easier it makes the rest of the process.
Excellent use of music. Most appropriate for the material without detracting in any way. How did you find the composer?
John Carey, who is an absolute star, was someone I was lucky to meet while at USC. We’ve worked together for almost fifteen years now.
What is your next project? How far along are you on the next film?
I was blessed to film another project this summer which we just finished and are submitting to festivals now. I also have a number of features in development, one of which will be my first feature I hope we film next year.
Have you ever worked with my friend director John Woo?
Unfortunately not yet- but I love his work. Hard-Boiled and Face-Off are some of my favorite films.
Have you had a mushroom trip?
Yes.
What was your experience photographing Joe Walsh and Ringo Starr? I photographed them on and off for 40 years. Pretty cool that they are brothers in law.
They were great. I was lucky to work with Joe for a number of years and on various tours and I think he’s an absolute sweetheart and rockstar. Ringo is everything you would hope for him to be and more. They’re both legends and it’s clear why when you’re around them.
