Hanxin “Spencer” Zhang

Motion Pictures & Television – Directing / Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

School of Motion Pictures & Television

My story begins in Guilin, a city in Southern China cradled by emerald mountains and winding
rivers. There, the natural landscape was more than just a backdrop—it was a part of my breath.
My most childhood memories are split between the flickering lights of a local cinema and the
soul-stirring folk songs echoing through the mountains. For me, music and imagery have never
been separate; they were my first ways of perceiving the world. This explains why, as a director
today, I am so drawn to musical films. I have learned to think in rhythm, silence, tension, and the
emotional pacing of every frame.

At the age of twenty, I crossed the Pacific to the United States to begin my professional journey
in filmmaking. This cross-cultural upbringing has gifted me a unique directorial lens: I strive to
blend the essence of Eastern aesthetics with the complex narrative language of Hollywood. This
fusion is not only reflected in my visual style but also in my ability to navigate diverse genres.