MEGA Film Production Masterclass at XJTLU Successfully Concludes

The inaugural MEGA Film Production Masterclass at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Film and TV Arts, which commenced on 8 July, provided an intensive learning platform for film enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds through meticulously designed courses and practical projects.

Over 11 days of rigorous learning and creation, participants systematically mastered the film production process and techniques, from scriptwriting to post-production, under the guidance of former Asia Pacific Film Festival Chairman and renowned director Youning Li, along with an international team of instructors, leveraging advanced teaching facilities.

On 19 July, the masterclass concluded with a ceremony held at the cinema in the School of Film and TV Arts building. Participants not only showcased their achievements but also shared their creative insights and experiences.

Professor Mai and Director Li Address the Ceremony

Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts and Associate Dean of the Academy of Film and Creative Technology, expressed her pride in the participants and her anticipation of their results in her speech at the closing ceremony. She noted that the participants deeply experienced the hard work of filmmakers, recognizing that every stage, from script development to the final product, is filled with countless efforts and dedication. She emphasized that what the participants learned in the course was not just professional knowledge but also teamwork and collaboration skills, which are indispensable in film production.

Professor Mai also extended special thanks to Director Li Youning and the other instructors for their dedicated guidance. She believed that such an opportunity was extremely valuable for the participants and hoped they would cherish this experience and consider it a precious asset for their future careers.

Director Youning Li shared his passion for film education and his expectations for the participants in his address. Although retired, he remains enthusiastic about nurturing the new generation of filmmakers. Modestly sharing his experiences, he stated, "I am just a 'film veteran,' but some methods from the film era are worth passing on." He also highlighted the importance of the script reading stage, describing it as "the last line of defense in film production." He believes this stage is crucial for ensuring every team member has a deep understanding of the director's vision. He stressed the importance of communication in film production and encouraged participants to maintain an open mind and active communication in their future creations. Director Li praised the participants' professionalism and international vision and mentioned the joy and challenges of film creation, urging them to stay passionate and continue exploring and advancing in the film industry.

Group Project Screenings and Sharing

During the closing ceremony, three group video projects—Good Intentions, Out of Battery, and Pain, Pain, Go Away—were screened, showcasing the participants' learning outcomes and affirming their creativity and practical skills. Each project reflected the participants' dedication and creativity, demonstrating their abilities in scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and post-production. During the sharing session following the screenings, participants discussed the challenges and gains from the creative process and shared their experiences and insights on teamwork.

Shengzhe Wang, director of Good Intentions, shared his challenges and growth during the creation process: "As the director, screenwriter, and editor of this film, I am very satisfied with the completion level of the film." He candidly talked about strategies for handling issues such as actors' strikes and how the team overcame difficulties to complete the project.

Director of Out of Battery, Ziyue Song, expressed his learning experiences: "In this project, I tried new narrative techniques and shooting methods, and I am grateful for the opportunities and guidance provided by the masterclass."

Certificate Presentation and Group Photo

Following the project presentations and sharing, Professor Mai and Director Li personally awarded completion certificates to each participant and took a group photo. This was not only a recognition of the participants' learning outcomes but also an encouragement and expectation for their future development.

Participant Reflections: Shengzhe Wang

Shengzhe Wang, a third-year student from Shandong University of Art and Design, expressed his initial motivation for joining the masterclass: "I wanted to enhance my professional skills in film production and meet more like-minded people." Over the 11 days, Wang felt a significant improvement in his film production and team communication skills. He specifically mentioned the inspiration he gained from the scriptwriting, lighting, and production courses, especially the practical filming sessions, which gave him a deep appreciation of the charm of film production: "Only by being on set can you truly understand the meaning of filmmaking."

Wang was deeply impressed by his interactions with Director Li and the other teachers. He particularly thanked Dane Taylor, whose positive attitude and professional guidance had a significant impact on Wang’s learning and creation. Despite facing challenges like actors’ strikes and adverse weather conditions during the creation of Good Intentions, they successfully overcame these difficulties through calm handling and teamwork.

After the closing ceremony, Wang looked forward to the future, expressing his intent to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the masterclass to his future studies and work, continuing to delve deeper into the field of film production. He extended heartfelt thanks to all the teachers and classmates who helped and supported him, acknowledging their guidance and assistance as crucial to the completion of Good Intentions.

Participant Reflections: Ziyue Song

Ziyue Song, about to join the MFA Film and TV Producer program at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and currently interning at Jiangsu Television, shared his learning background and motivation for joining the masterclass: "My undergraduate studies were in film studies and sociology, which were more theoretical, with few and unstructured practical opportunities." He chose Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Film and TV Arts because he trusted the faculty and technical support there.

During the masterclass, Song felt a significant improvement in scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and post-production. He specifically noted: "Possibly the most helpful aspect for me was scriptwriting, as I might want to continue developing in this direction in addition to producing." With help from Teacher Bing Li, he gained a more detailed and specific understanding of scriptwriting, and learning about cinematography and lighting provided him with more insights and gains. "These might be the knowledge reserves in my mind now, but they will be essential for my future development and work."

He expressed special thanks to Director Li, Bing Li, and Morgan for their help and guidance: "I feel we need experienced 'veterans' like Director Li to pass on their experiences to us."

Participant Reflections: Yi Chu

Yi Chu, an undergraduate at the California Institute of the Arts and director of the group project Pain, Pain, Go Away, was deeply influenced by Director Li's charisma and professionalism through his participation in the MEGA Film Production Masterclass.

Chu said, "Spending these few days with Director Li Youning, I felt that he is truly a very passionate, enthusiastic, capable, yet very humble director and teacher who gets things done." In daily reviews, discussions, and on-site guidance, Director Li always considered the other person's perspective, offering constructive suggestions rather than imposing his own views.

Chu specifically mentioned that Director Li always positioned himself in a "non-intrusive, advisory" role when communicating, with his suggestions always based on the work and the creator’s perspective, respecting the director’s aesthetics and creative freedom. "He never says you should do this or that, but always says 'it depends on the director’s aesthetics’." This humble and empathetic guidance profoundly inspired Chu, making him realize that when facing a work, one should transcend personal perspectives and view and understand it from a broader horizon.

Director Li’s approach to interpersonal interactions not only benefited Chu professionally but also provided deep life lessons. Chu remarked, "I feel this might have nothing to do with film, but such an attitude towards interacting with people is very impressive." He hopes to transcend himself in his future creations and life, consider others and the work itself more, achieve a more comprehensive understanding, and engage in deeper communication, just like Director Li.

Conclusion and Outlook

With the successful conclusion of the closing ceremony, participants, filled with gains and expectations for the future, are ready to embark on new journeys. Professor Mai wished the participants: "In your future careers, may you achieve great success in the vast world of the film industry, realizing your dreams and ambitions."

The successful hosting of the MEGA Film Production Masterclass showcased Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Film and TV Arts’ cutting-edge concepts and innovative spirit in film education. "We look forward to participants applying their learned knowledge and skills to their future studies and work, creating more excellent works and contributing new strengths to the film industry," said Professor Mai.

By Wenzhen Li

Photos provided by masterclass participants,  Zhenyu Wang