Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Languages
Timeline
HONORS & AWARDS
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Merry May Ma

Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Based in LA, I am a writer/director/producer dedicated to exploring the invisible worlds within nature and the human psyche. Drawing on my background in neuroscience and psychology, I create tactile and empowering stories that foster deep human connections.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience

Work History

Script Supervisor

Avia Games
Los Angeles, CA
12.2025 - Current
  • Assist director and DP in tracking coverage details, support actors in memorizing lines, enhance performances through constructive feedback

Creative Coordinator

COL Media
Los Angeles, CA
02.2025 - Current
  • Coordinate between editors & writers, manage projects and creative alignment to ensure high-quality completion of 90 scripts in 6 months

Co-Founder & Festival Programmer

API Film Night (Film Festival)
Los Angeles, CA
02.2023 - Current
  • Curate & organize annual celebrations of inspiring films on AAPI experiences by UCLA AAPI filmmakers
  • Recruit members, outreach & market event, book theater space, print posters & program booklets, & cater for 500+ audience

Co-Producer

ReelShort “Miss You After Goodbye” (No.1 on RS & DramaBox)
Los Angeles, CA
05.2025 - 07.2025
  • Recruited and led 30 cast & crew through a rapid 39-day (28 pre-pro, 11 days on set) production
  • Guided director to ensure strong market appeal for the YA demographic & Troubleshot all challenges on set

TV Development Intern & Writer’s Assistant

COL Media
Los Angeles, CA
01.2025 - 05.2025
  • Write weekly coverage on TV IPs, conduct research on adaptation strategies, track & compile potential IPs for future development
  • Revise one TV mini-drama script/week, polish pitch-decks & brainstorm with writers

Teaching Assistant

UCLA Asian American Studies Department & Film Department
Los Angeles, CA
09.2023 - 03.2025
  • Offered administrative support; graded students’ assignments; led fun and informative weekly workshops on Premiere Pro video-editing

Feature Development Intern

Janet Yang Productions
Los Angeles, CA
10.2024 - 02.2025
  • Wrote coverage on AAPI films and scripts, draft emails, polish pitch-decks, update talent tracking grids & compile trades

Education

Certificate - Business & Management of Entertainment

UCLA Extension
Los Angeles, CA
06.2026

MFA - Film Production/Directing

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA
01.2025

B.A - Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and Film & Media

Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
01.2022

Skills

  • Proficient: Chinese/Mandarin, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, DSLR, GoPro, Audio Recording, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Airtable, Keynote, Canva, Final Draft, Walkie-Talkies, Production Management, Scheduling, Desk Management, Wrapbook

Affiliations

Active participant in Group Effort Initiative (GEI) since January 2024

Languages

French
Elementary
English
Full Professional
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Script Supervisor

Avia Games
12.2025 - Current

Co-Producer

ReelShort “Miss You After Goodbye” (No.1 on RS & DramaBox)
05.2025 - 07.2025

Creative Coordinator

COL Media
02.2025 - Current

TV Development Intern & Writer’s Assistant

COL Media
01.2025 - 05.2025

Feature Development Intern

Janet Yang Productions
10.2024 - 02.2025

Teaching Assistant

UCLA Asian American Studies Department & Film Department
09.2023 - 03.2025

Co-Founder & Festival Programmer

API Film Night (Film Festival)
02.2023 - Current

B.A - Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and Film & Media

Washington University in St. Louis

Certificate - Business & Management of Entertainment

UCLA Extension

MFA - Film Production/Directing

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

HONORS & AWARDS

Alfred P. Sloan Production Award, Panavision New Filmmaker Award, Mary Pickford Award, Motion Picture Association of American Award, Edna & Yu-Shan Han Endowed Award, Lynn Weston Fellowship & Francesco Film Production Award