Check Out Emily Ma’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Ma.

Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am currently completing my Master of Fine Arts in Production Design at the American Film Institute Conservatory. My work has been recognized at both national and international festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the DGA Student Film Awards.

My journey in film began in Dallas, Texas. I had a teacher who believed in me before I believed in myself. She encouraged me to take a chance and submit my projects to festivals. To my surprise, two of my shorts, “ONE” (2016) and “Galene” (2018), were officially selected by SXSW. The success of “ONE” led to an invitation to attend as a panelist at the Bechdel Film Festival in 2018. Being surrounded by filmmakers at that early stage in my path affirmed my place in the industry and solidified my passion for filmmaking. In college, I explored many crew positions but found my calling in the art department. When my program offered little in production design, I created my own path. I started taking drafting classes through the theater program, teaching myself digital drafting software, and I even converted a friend’s porch into a makeshift workshop to build props. When my project “BOB” won the Best Asian American Film in DGA’s East Coast category, I knew that I was on the right path.

Now at the American Film Institute, I am learning directly from seasoned production designers, art directors, set designers, and concept artists. I also get to collaborate with classmates who challenge and inspire me every day.

At the core of it all, I am motivated by the thrill of building worlds and telling stories through design. I never want to stop experimenting and pushing boundaries.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I’m originally from Hong Kong, and at 14, I made the life-changing decision to move across the world alone to attend The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. Living in a dorm thousands of miles from home, navigating a new culture, and learning in my third language put me on an accelerated path toward maturity and independence.

The first space I truly designed was my high school dorm room. At first, I filled it with photos and trinkets from my childhood home. My dorm became an extension of my identity, interlacing my past and who I was becoming. As I move through different stages of life, I continue to carry the mementos that have become part of the decorations in my current apartment. Personal living spaces are intimate in the sense that you can really tell who someone is and how they interact with the world through them. I am fascinated with how environments shape our perceptions of ourselves and reflect the intersectionality of our identities.

In searching for belonging, I turned to stories and art that expressed the emotions I struggled to put into words. They made me feel seen, validated, and connected. That journey became the root of my creative voice and now sets me apart as a production designer. I don’t just create beautiful spaces, I create environments that bridge cultures, identities, and experiences. I create spaces where audiences can feel a sense of belonging.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a production designer, my work is deeply rooted in connecting the subconscious of each character with their space. I focus on building worlds that are not only visually compelling but also emotionally resonant. Having worked in many different roles within the art department, I’ve developed a wide range of skills, from digital to hand drafting, model making, set construction, and prop fabrication. These skills allow me to better advocate for my team and communicate across departments, ensuring that every layer of design supports the story.

What sets my work apart is the perspective I bring to it. Growing up between cultures and navigating through my own identity has made me attuned to how space shapes human connections and belonging. My design centers around creating spaces that leave a lasting emotional imprint.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
LA has a great community and resources for creatives. It truly is a city that lives and breathes film. The city is buzzing with people from all kinds of walks of life, you never know who you are going to meet. I appreciate how every neighborhood carries its own culture and history, which makes LA feel like a mosaic of worlds within one city.

Of course, with a city this lively, one of the biggest adjustments was learning how to navigate the traffic. Budgeting time to get across town feels like an art form of its own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emilymafilm.com