Alumni Filmmakers Get Spotlight at Annual 6 in 60 Showcase

Jaden Esse ’22, one of six Emerson filmmakers to screen their work at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles last week, said the 6 in 60: Emerson College Industry Film Showcase is more than just a showcase of alumni talent.

“I felt so proud to be an Emersonian tonight and to share this space with all these wonderful filmmakers,” said Esse, who showed his film, Clucky’s. “There’s so much talent in this room, and I feel surrounded by family, but also people that I’m excited to continue growing up with in this industry.”

The annual 6 in 60 showcase offers Emerson alumni a platform to share films in all genres. Film shorts, TV pilots and individual episodes with a runtime of 20 minutes or under are eligible for entry. This year’s slate of six films was selected from a pool of 63 entries. Fellow Emersonians, casting agents, directors, and other industry professionals are invited to attend the event.

In addition to Esse, the other five alumni screening films included Wylie Anderson ’20 (Thanks for Having Me), Matthew Berry ’24 (The Man in the Long Jacket), Ethan Lader  ’02 (Tadpole), Jason Sperling ’03 (Crash Site), and Jen Stafford ’13 (Sam).  The event was moderated by 6 in 60 Committee Chair Aimee Rivera ’07. Committee members were Jason Beck ‘97, Richard Arlook ‘83, Azeem Robinson-Downes ‘98, and Matt Silverman ‘07. 

Emerson Los Angeles affiliated faculty member Mason Richards said it was exciting and gratifying to see so many students and alumni participating in the showcase.

“It just speaks to the power and the connection of ELA and … all of us working together to really create opportunities for our students to be in the world … in CAA,” he said. “The films were well curated, thoughtful, and [the event] has an Emerson brand.”

This was the second year in a row that Anderson screened a film at 6 in 60. Both films were about protecting children on the internet, a topic she feels strongly about.

“Emerson gave me not only the theater education and performance background for me to understand how to make these films so well, but now [the college is] giving me a platform to now express those stories with more people. Emerson is amazing,” Anderson said.