Jim Bissell, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumnus with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, embarked on a career in the entertainment industry, initially working on commercials and low-budget feature films in New York and Los Angeles.
His impressive body of work led to a remarkable achievement in 1980, when he won an Emmy Award for his contributions to the television series Palmerstown, U.S.A.
Bissell's success continued with a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nomination for his production design work on the iconic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bissell has played a significant role in the development of the Art Directors Guild Awards, serving as the original chair, and has also held the position of Vice President of the Guild.
Throughout his career, Jim Bissell has shared his expertise by teaching at esteemed institutions such as the American Film Institute (AFI),University of Southern California (USC),UCLA Extension, and the North Carolina School of the Arts.
He is an active member of several prominent organizations, including the Directors Guild of America (DGA),Art Directors Guild (ADG),and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
