Global BFA in Film Art Career and Alumni Talks Present: Hao Zheng, Jono Brandel and Mary Saissellin

Emerson College and Paris College of Art present an alumni roundtable of graduates working in the film industry on Friday, April 9, 2021.

This Global BFA in Film Art Career and Alumni Talk is a great opportunity for students and alumni from both institutions to get some professional perspective, career advice and tips. During this talk, students will learn about: how to put together a digital portfolio, where to look for internships, where to start networking, tips on staying motivated during COVID, different career paths in film.

Global BFA in Film Art Career and Alumni Talks Present:

Hao Zheng

Studied at Emerson College, class of ‘15 (Film Production) and AFI (Directing), Hao Zheng is a recent Student Academy Award winning director transitioned from being a professional actor in popular Chinese films and TV shows. With short films getting international recognition including Show Me Shorts New Zealand (Best International Film Award), AT&T Film Award, Nowness Awards, Short Shorts Tokyo, Aspen Short Fest among more than 100 film festivals, he is developing a range of multi-cultural projects in both China and the US.

Recently, Hao was recognized by 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 List (Hollywood & Entertainment), and was selected as a 2020 Disney Launchpad Director, 2020 HBOAccess Directing Program Fellow, 2019 Viacom ViewFinder Program Finalist, and a 2019 First International Film Festival Directing Lab Fellow.

Jono Brandel

Bachelor’s in Design | Media Arts, a Minor in Latin from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Fine Arts in transdisciplinary New Media from Paris College of Art (class of ’20), Jono’s work has been shown at international festivals including TED, Sundance, Tribeca Film Festival, SIGGRAPH, and the Japan Media Arts Festival. His commitment to Visual Music has sparked collaborations with musicians including applications with Lullatone, a live performance with Nosaj Thing, and interactive music videos for the likes of Matthew Dear, the Chemical Brothers, and Kimbra.

Mary Saissellin

Master of Fine Arts in Transdisciplinary New Media (class of ’18)
Set Designer

Mary was awarded a B.A. in printmaking from Hollins University (1986) in Roanoke, Virginia, and a Master of Fine Arts in transdisciplinary new media from Paris College of Art (2018).
Her work on feature films includes : JFK (1990), Kill Bill (2003), Dunkirk (2017), and The Last Duel (Oct. 2021).
Mary spoke at TedXSanto Domingo, “Art is a Reflection of our Humanity” discussing her experience with continuing to follow her curiosity and ending up in graduate school.
She teaches production design at La Fémis and works on American and European films and T.V.