Visiting Filmmakers Series: Joseph Le with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Johnson Center, Cinema
Two Visiting Filmmakers Series events featuring Joseph Le, Action Designer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
Both events are free and open to the public.
Registration required. Seating is limited.
Free screening of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Followed by a conversation with Joseph Le, George Mason alum and Action Designer on Shang-Chi. Hosted by CVPA Dean Rick Davis.
4:30pm on Weds April 6: Johnson Center Cinema.
Joseph Le Masterclass at Mason
In-person or by Zoom Webinar: Joseph will show examples of his work and discuss his experiences as a filmmaker, action director, and artist.
1:30pm on Weds April 6:
Register here for in-person class in Music Theater Building 1005.
A film director, action designer, and storyboard artist, Joseph Le is currently working in LA and DC. He is known for directing Afro Samurai Champloo, Kung Fu Tea Commercial, and Mulan: An East Side Story. Joseph began his film career by creating indie action films that payed homage to Hong Kong action flicks. Eventually, he developed his own style that combines hyperrealistic anime action with character-based kung fu choreography. He says, "I’m obsessed with directing hyperrealistic action movies, drawing twisted horror, and writing psychological dramas. So I guess I am like a combination of Tim Burton + Jackie Chan + Miyazaki."
As Joseph recalls, he spent most of his childhood in Virginia, drawing comic books that combined stories of everything that he loved, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Dinosaurs, and Beast Wars. And, he writes, "because I got bullied a lot in grade school, I would fight back by choreographing the most epic fight scenes in my head. Eventually, I grew up and decided to major in Graphic Design at George Mason University. Throughout the years, I built up the courage to finally live up to my childhood dreams of becoming an auteur director."
Follow Joseph Le on Instagram.
Joseph Le "is known for his anime style of action design," writes Emily Schneider, "melding together hip hop and martial arts, best seen in his film “Afro Samurai Champloo.” Le went back and forth from LA to shoot for that film, working with friends in LA and then back at home in Virginia. It was one of these friendships that led to Le’s name being mentioned to the Shang-Chi team, and his return to LA for advance work with them.
.... "For current Mason students Le offers this advice, “Know that just because you started out in one field, it doesn’t limit you from exploring others. Make room for the things you are passionate about, and feed your time into them, even if you’re not sure yet where they’ll go.”
Read more about Joseph's art and career here.
Read this interview: "Action Designer Joseph Le Talks “Shang-Chi’s” Epic Fight Scenes," PopWire, 2021.
#VisitingFilmmakersSeries #FilmAtMason
For more information:
Anjuli Singh, asingh80@gmu.edu, Exhibitions and Office Coordinator, Film at Mason
Cynthia Fuchs cfuchs@gmu.edu, Director, Visiting Filmmakers Series at Mason; Interim Director, Film at Mason
Hosted by Visiting Filmmakers Series, CVPA, School of Art, CHSS, University Life.
