New Chapter in HBU-UCLan Industry-Education Partnership

On April 17, HBU-UCLan hosted a career sharing session titled "Dreams Need Wings, Progress Needs Steps - A Guide to Transitioning from Academia to Industry" at the Lecture Hall of Building C5. The event featured distinguished speakers from Beijing Genqi Film & Media Co., Ltd., including Gu Lou, Xu Ning, Jeroen Verschoor, and Mizar Min (Da Mai).

Beijing Genqi Film & Media Co., Ltd. is a cultural and creative organization specializing in experimental animation, music production, and cross-disciplinary artistic creation, enjoying an excellent reputation in the industry.

The guest speakers included:

• Gu Lou (MFA, San Francisco Art Institute)

  Winner of the 1st Prize in Fantasy Model Category at the SCAHMS Show-Western Model Exhibition (USA). Former Art Director for the animated film Yao-Chinese Folktales·Jade Rabbit and multiple creative commercials.

  Xu Ning (MFA, USC School of Cinematic Arts)

  Former Animator for stop-motion films Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link and character designer for the animated series Mr. Cookie

  Jeroen Verschoor

  Former employee of DreamWorks Animation and Disney Studios, Visiting Professor at Beijing Film Academy and Peking University, Creative Consultant for the documentary China’s Mysterious Heartland—The Loess Plateau

  Mizar Min (Da Mai)

  Bachelor’s in Music Production & Composition (Academy of Art University, San Francisco), BFA in Music Production (Los Angeles College of Music),Producer at United Recording (North America), a studio under Universal Music Group

During the session, Gu Lou provided an in-depth analysis of the creative workflow in film and TV production, emphasizing the importance of defining target audiences and project positioning for success. He advised students to establish detailed timelines for graduation projects and future work to ensure structured progress.

Xu Ning comprehensively introduced the current state and future prospects of the animation industry, encouraging students to explore their personal interests while continuously improving their professional skills.

Jeroen Verschoor shared his journey of staying true to his passion during economic downturns, ultimately achieving excellence in animation and design. His story reinforced the idea that persistence and dedication are key drivers of career success.

Mizar Min conducted a detailed breakdown of the modern music industry’s ecosystem, suggesting that emerging musicians can break through in niche markets amid fierce mainstream competition. His insights helped students develop a holistic understanding of creative thinking and industry practices.

The subsequent Q&A session saw active discussions between students and speakers on career planning and industry trends. This event provided students with valuable industry perspectives and practical career advice, while strengthening college-enterprise collaboration. Our school will continue organizing similar activities to support students' professional development.