Rowan alumnus wins Emmy for work on HBO series

Rowan University alumnus Adam Chazen has won an Emmy Award for his work as visual effects coordinator for HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”

Chazen, 26, who earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008 in Radio/Television/Film (RTF) from Rowan’s College of Communication & Creative Arts, accepted the award for “Outstanding Special Visual Effects” during the 2012 Creative Arts Emmys held Sept. 15 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The Emmy recognized “Valar Morghulis,” the second season finale of “Game of Thrones,” a medieval fantasy show.

A resident of Belfast, Ireland, Chazen serves as visual effects coordinator for the series, which won a total of six Emmys at the ceremony.

A 2004 graduate of Old Bridge High School in Old Bridge, Chazen held leadership positions with Rowan Television Network, Cinema Workshop and Student University Programmers (SUP) while a student.

“When he was a student, he got involved with SUP because he wanted to learn how to talk to agents,” said Joe Bierman, RTF department chair. “He knew that would be beneficial to him in his career. He went about everything in a very strategic way.”

According to Bierman, Chazen made connections through a summer internship with The Onion, an online news hub. That led to other positions with films, including “Transformers,” “Yogi Bear,” “2012,” “Iron Man 2” and “Being Elmo,” a documentary.

A contingent of Rowan RTF graduates—and a current student—joined Chazen in Los Angeles and watched as he and his colleagues accepted their Emmy. More and more Rowan RTF graduates are picking up and moving to Los Angeles, the nation’s entertainment hub, as Chazen did a few years ago, according to Bierman.

“Our students are doing quality work. They understand the business well enough and are seeking out opportunities to translate their education and their training into careers,” Bierman said.

Despite his many successes, Chazen speaks often with Rowan students, even Skyping with them during his lunch hour, Bierman said.

“He’s said to our students, ‘If you’re coming to LA, call me. You can sleep on my couch for two weeks,” Bierman said. “He’s definitely a rising star. He’s very talented. He has a very strong work ethic. And he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.”

The Creative Arts Emmy ceremony will air on Saturday, Sept.  22, at 8 p.m. on Reelz Channel, the day before The Primetime Emmys air on ABC.