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Faculty & Mentors Overview
Sharon Media Academy's faculty brings together diverse media expertise, creating a comprehensive learning environment where students gain exposure to multiple facets of the industry. Our mentors represent various areas of the media ecosystem—from animation studios to television, from NGO communications to cultural content, from filmmaking to digital platforms.
Our students become proficient in integrating Artificial Intelligence throughout their coursework, assignments, and creative projects, elevating their portfolio standards and positioning themselves as skilled content creators.
Peter Christopher
Program Leader
Peter is a filmmaker and founder of RevelationBay Productions with over 20 years of experience creating films focused on social justice and transformation. His short film "The Voiceless" received a Special Mention Award at the Indian World Film Festival, while "Stolen Prayers," a fictional film inspired by true life about a migrant family affected during the lockdown in India, garnered critical acclaim and public appreciation.
Peter's key achievement in recent years is launching EDUPIER (www.edupier.tv) —acomprehensive video-based value and life skills curriculum featuring 90+ films for school children through short films, MIME, illustrations, and other studio productions that are engaging, creative, thought-provoking life lessons challenging teens to lead a purposeful life.
His extensive work with organizations including International Justice Mission, Varthana, Help a Child of India, Freedom Project, and many more has established him as a reliable filmmaker. Several of his films for NGOs have served as platforms for dialogue, strategic action planning, and policy influence with government departments in Karnataka.
He has conducted workshops and guest lectures at institutions including National School of Journalism, Lady Doak College, and Holy Cross College Trichy, bringing both creative excellence and educational expertise to Sharon Media Academy.
Praveen Chrispugg
Creative Director, Idea Heavens
Praveen Chrispugg, Creative Director of Idea Heavens, is qualified in Fine Arts, Design, and Animation. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Fine Arts (with distinction) in painting from the renowned Government College of Fine Art, Tamil Nadu, and an MA in Visual Communication in Animation from Birmingham City University, UK (with distinction). A prestigious British Chevening Scholar (2003), Praveen received the 'Nesta' Young British Entrepreneur Award in 2007 for his innovative business ideas in the mobile media arena in the UK.
His passion for his country brought him back to India, where he established his studio, Idea Heavens, in Chennai in 2008. Since then, he has partnered on various projects for corporates including Stanley Tools, TVS, Caterpillar, Kubota, TNPCB, Enabl Engineering, Ministry of Coastal Affairs, India NCSCM, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Shobiz Entertainment Ltd, Media Serve Sweden, She is Safe US, Nissan, Murugappa Group (Cumi), Bishop Heber College, Lion Bridge, Rotary Club, ESAF Bank, Gonature, Efficor, KevinKare, KVB, Randstad, and many other clients.
He also supports several media colleges including Loyola, Don Bosco, Image College of Art & Design, AAG, and Brilla Institute (Noida) as a consultant. He has currently developed a creative curriculum for children that is sense-based, through a partnership firm called Creative Rootz. Praveen has developed a wide range of short films that have been awarded and screened at various international film festivals. There is always a deep message in his work, as most of his creations effortlessly gain recognition and screening at film festivals worldwide.
Kalpana Vincent
Communications Specialist
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Kalpana is a communications specialist who humanizes messaging by reaching the heart of the matter and making it appeal to the inner core of audiences. With 20 years of experience centered on crafting human-centric communications, she sparks conversations, shifts perspectives, changes narratives, and cultivates behaviors for meaningful social impact.
Kalpana activates messages that tell broader and deeper narratives, creating a rippling effect for desired outcomes. She has worked across different geographies as a television journalist, in-house communications practitioner, and consultant. Her breadth of experience includes working for UNICEF, USAID, WHO, Global Fund to End Slavery, and Humanity & Inclusion across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Australia.
Her ability to connect with people, comprehend development issues, and choose the right channels to reach the unreached defines her approach to creating change. Kalpana holds a Master's in Communications and Journalism and a Bachelor's in Visual Communication, with specialist qualifications in Behavioral Science, Digital Communications, and Strategic Communications for Social Impact.
S. Michael Raj
Writer & Independent Filmmaker
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S. Michael Raj is a screenwriter and independent filmmaker with a unique cross-cultural perspective on cinema. Trained by distinguished mentors including Donald Leow (Director/Producer, StoneTable Films, USA), John Edathattil (screenwriter of acclaimed films "Guna" and "Jillunu Oru Kaadhal"), and Chezhiyan (cinematographer and coach at The Film School), Michael bridges Hollywood and mainstream Indian cinema with equal fluency.
With a Master's in Commerce and advanced certifications in writing and filmmaking, Michael brings both business understanding and creative expertise to his projects. His doctoral thesis on "Social Media and Youth" presented to Dayspring University, USA, reflects his deep understanding of contemporary storytelling mediums and audience engagement.
Michael's hands-on experience spans both industries—from a month-long internship with StoneTable Films during the production of "Once Upon a Time in Vietnam" to collaborating with four Chennai directors on screenplay development. Currently, he's crafting his debut feature film screenplay for a 2026 release.
R.S. Ashok Subramaniam
Actor
Ashok is a versatile Tamil actor whose career spans stage, television, and independent filmmaking. With a foundation in commercial theater, he has delivered compelling performances across major stage productions, mastering both live dialogue delivery and the technical precision required for pre-recorded work, including complex lip-syncing and timing challenges.
His television presence includes popular Tamil serials on Sun TV ("Lakshmi," "Kannana Kanne") and Zee Tamil's "Sembaruthi," where his portrayal of the wise elderly Guruji character showcased his range as a character actor, establishing him as a reliable performer capable of bringing authenticity to diverse roles.
Beyond acting, Ashok has embraced filmmaking as a creative outlet, writing, directing, and starring in multiple short films. His most distinctive project documented the search for traditional herbs across Chennai and Salem, blending storytelling with cultural preservation. Ashok's multifaceted approach—combining theatrical training, television experience, and independent filmmaking—reflects a deep understanding across different mediums. His work demonstrates technical proficiency and genuine interest in stories that connect with Tamil culture, making him a distinctive voice in regional entertainment.
Wilson Paul
Creative Designer
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Wilson E Paul is more than a designer; he is a visionary whose artistry has shaped the visual narrative of Tamil gospel media for decades. With over 30 years of mastery rooted in advertising, he seamlessly blends strategy, storytelling, and design into every creation.
As a graphic designer, creative director, and writer, Wilson crafts transformative experiences across branding, logos, set and interior concepts, book and album covers, and social media campaigns. His works serve global ministries, NGOs, leading musicians, and concert productions, radiating clarity, elegance, and cultural relevance.
Renowned for distilling profound truths into evocative visuals, he designs with poetic precision that stirs hearts and calls forth purpose. A mentor to many, Wilson leads as the creative head of multiple media productions, forging new paths in meaningful communication. His multi-dimensional gifts make him a trusted name, empowering visions to emerge as timeless, impactful designs.
He will be bringing a unique and fresh perspective on the theme of Restorative Justice in today's world, and the role of Arts and Media.
Jad Jeno
Anchor / Host / Content Creator
Jad Jeno is a professional anchor with extensive experience in hosting shows and conducting interviews with celebrities. He works as a cricket commentator and regularly shares insights and updates on current affairs for News Tamil 24x7 channel. With a strong background in sports knowledge, he is actively involved in digital media.
He is a well-known content creator for YouTube and manages the popular page Gen Z Chennai, which also has a significant presence on Instagram. As an Instagram influencer with a substantial following, he continues to stay active and engaged across multiple platforms.
At Sharon Media Academy, Jad Jeno guides students through the fundamentals of professional hosting, from overcoming camera anxiety to conducting captivating celebrity interviews. He shares real-world techniques for building audience engagement, growing social media followings organically, and creating content that resonates with viewers. Students learn his proven methods for developing their unique voice, maintaining consistent online presence, and leveraging digital platforms to build successful media careers.
Habiba Begum
Artist
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Habiba Begum is a Chennai-based lens artist who uses visual storytelling for personal transformation and social change. Through her organization The Expressive Lens, she develops curricula that blend photography skills with emotional well-being, teaching students from government schools to institutions like the American International School.
As a core team member of CPB Prism (Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation's education wing), she has led teacher training programs across Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil Nadu through Ashok Leyland's CSR initiative and pioneered visual arts programs for hearing-impaired students with Arise + Tech Mahindra.
Her teaching spans undergraduate courses at Dr. MGR Janaki College and MGR Government Film and Television Institute. Student works under her guidance have been featured at Chennai Photo Biennale Edition 4 and Egmore Museum.
As a documentary filmmaker, Habiba was commissioned by Goethe-Institut to create The Female Legacy, a series on women artists. She documented the 'Art in Prison' program at Puzhal Prison and was invited as a panelist at India Art Fair to discuss innovative arts education approaches.
Sujit Somarajan
Efx / Animation in Films
Sujit Somarajan is an experienced character animator with over 17 years in the animation industry, having contributed to acclaimed international projects including Spirit Riding Free, Fast & Furious Spy Racers, The Croods Family Tree, Star Trek: Prodigy, The Jungle Book, and The Rugrats Reboot.
Through his work at renowned studios including Mikros Animation, Xentrix Studios, Technicolor, and DQ Entertainment, he has developed a strong foundation in storytelling, character performance, and team leadership—mentoring animators and leading teams to deliver high-quality, emotionally engaging animation.
He brings a deep understanding of acting, body mechanics, and cinematic storytelling to every project, combining technical expertise with creative vision to create characters that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Rex Clement
Media Pioneer | Consultant
Rex Clement is a pioneering media professional with over 30 years of transformative experience in Christian television programs. As a visionary who has established major production houses and orchestrated large-scale productions, Rex has become synonymous with excellence in regional broadcasting, mainly in the Gospel arena.
His expertise extends far beyond consultancy—Rex has been instrumental in launching innovative television shows that have shaped Tamil Gospel media programming. His deep understanding of both technical production processes and compelling content creation has made him a sought-after leader in the industry.
He specializes in creating content that not only meets the highest production standards but also resonates deeply with audiences. His experience in pre-production and production, mentoring many teams, is a valuable gift to mentor the younger generation to make meaningful content at Sharon Media Academy.
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