We were lucky to catch up with Haoran Ma recently and have shared our conversation below.
Haoran, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Kobe Bryant and Lana Del Rey are two role models for my life. They are from two different areas and their influences on me are also different. From Kobe, the Mamba mentality is more like a pure persistence. Find something you love and push yourself hard no matter what. If you fail then back up and fight again. For me this is like the Yang power from Taoist Yin/Yang philosophy. From Lana Del Rey I learn being resilient in a totally different way. Listening to her songs I realize it’s ok to face the weaknesses in your soul. It’s fine to be defeated, and it’s fine to be fragile. It’s like the Yin side of Yin and Yang. I combine their different philosophies and apply in my life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a director and also an AI Aesthetic Expert in a leading video generation startup. I graduated from American Film Institute as a directing fellow. Currently I’m training the AI models and tools to help worldwide creators realize their dreams. I’m also writing my own script which I want to shoot later this year. So basically I’m doing both: the traditional way of filmmaking and AI filmmaking. I tend to regard AI as a creating partner with tremendous potential. I really would like to see how we combine AI and old methodologies to create something we have never seen before.
As a storyteller I am also thinking how humanity changes over time. Since we are all of a sudden thrown into a world which only existed in sci-fi movies in the past. Where would humanity go? What is the future intimate relationship? How do we think of ourselves when AI becomes more intelligent than humans? My short film Pluto touches bases on some of these topics. It was selected by this year’s Boston Sci-Fi Film Festivals.
My thesis project Poolboy talks about the meaning of our life and where the true happiness is. It’s a quite existential and nostalgic piece. I’m glad that we use 16mm film to capture the melancholy feeling of the main character and the whole story stands out with this vibe. It is going to premiere in 2025 AFI Fest.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Directing
Follow your heart is the most important thing. Then trying to have real life experience as much as you can. Last, love this world and don’t be a cynic..
2. Computer Science
Hands on as much as you can. Be open minded to any new knowledge and technology.
3. Learn to love yourself
I believe only when a person really know how to love themselves can truly love others purely. Learn to love oneself should be a life long topic a person. Find the meaning of yourself and pursue it without hesitation. Through the path you will naturally benefit others as long as you have a kind heart.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I think I get closer to my internal spirit core. As a storyteller and director I think this is fundamental. The way of filmmaking might change, like we can embrace AI, however, I think the story and content are still crucial to creators. My next topic is how to consciously weave together those ideas that stem from my spirit core and create new stuff.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haoran.main?igsh=MWo2cWdlNGx0eDdmNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haoran-ma-844476b2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Simon Gulergun, Zach Morrison
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
