About

Jonas Liu is a cinematographer and AIGC filmmaker. He began working in film production in 2019 and holds a BFA in Film from California College of the Arts and an MFA in Cinematography from Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Across seven years on set, he has served as director of photography on four short films, camera operator on twelve productions, and focus puller on over thirty projects.

Since 2025, he has been integrating his cinematography training with AIGC toolchains, focusing on visual development for AI short films and commercial content. He has completed over eight AI short films and demos, and three AI commercial spots and demos. His work seeks to carry the cinematographer's judgment of light, texture, and rhythm into the generative image.

Based in Shanghai.

By the Numbers

7

Years Filmmaking

8+

AI Shorts & Demos

3+

AI Commercials

4

DP Short Films

12

Camera Operator

30+

Focus Puller / 1st AC

Education

2020 — 2023

California College of the Arts (CCA)

BFA in Film & Video. 16mm filmmaking, non-linear narrative, experimental image-making — here I learned that an image is not just information. It's texture.

2023 — 2026

Chapman University, Dodge College of Film & Media Arts

MFA in Cinematography. Formal training in the discipline. Shot four shorts as DP, twelve as camera operator.

Career Pathway

2019 — 2023

Set Years

From student shorts to independent productions. Over thirty films as focus puller, 1st AC, and camera operator. Thousands of hours behind monitors — developed an intuitive sense for the image.

2023 — 2026

Cinematography Years

Graduate studies at Chapman Dodge College. Shot four DP shorts across sci-fi, suspense, and drama, establishing a visual direction.

2025 — Present

AIGC Work

Transitioning from traditional sets to AI pipelines. Completed multiple AIGC shorts and commercials. Training AI output with a cinematographer's eye, controlling pace with a director's instinct. Former Prompt Army intern at Panther Studio.