XJTLU School of Film and TV Arts dives into industry with Hengdian field trip

06 Sep 2024

From 2nd to 3rd September 2024, the School of Film and TV Arts at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University successfully hosted a field trip to Hengdian World Studios. Under the guidance of  Cheng Fang, Programme Director of Filmmaking, and Dr Yiming Chen, Director of Postgraduate, the event saw enthusiastic participation from undergraduate students in Filmmaking, TV Production, and Digital Media Arts, as well as postgraduate students in Culture and Creative Industries.

This field trip, a signature event of the school, not only reinforced the philosophy of experiential learning but also provided students with a valuable platform for learning and growth through close collaboration with industry partners such as Hengdian World Studios. This partnership strengthens the school's ties with the film and television sector, allowing students to engage with the cutting edge of film creation, grasp the latest artistic concepts, and master contemporary technical methods. Through hands-on visits and in-depth discussions, students expanded their industry perspectives, solidified their professional knowledge, and enhanced their practical skills and career competitiveness. These practical experiences also fostered students' innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, laying a robust foundation for their future careers in the film and television industry.

On the first day of the field trip, students toured various period-specific filming locations at Hengdian World Studios, immersing themselves in the fusion of history and cinematic art and observing the design patterns of state-of-the-art film studios. Later, they visited the New Yuanmingyuan and Guangzhou Street, Hong Kong Street, and were treated to an immersive viewing of a grand-scale film and television performance, gaining a deeper appreciation for the unique charm of Hengdian World Studios as a benchmark for China's film and television culture and tourism.

On the second day, the field trip moved into a practical phase. Students visited Tianqi Tianwu Film and Television Special Effects Company, where they experienced firsthand the creative process of special effects makeup in film and television. Under the tutelage of professional makeup artists, students engaged in hands-on styling exercises and learned about the significant role of special effects makeup in film and television production. By the end, each student had completed their own special effects makeup piece.

Additionally, the field trip group attended a "Masters' Sharing Session" specially curated by Hengdian World Studios for the group. Shu Guo, General Manager of the International Business Department at Hengdian World Studios, served as the host and provided a detailed overview of the studio's development history, diverse business sectors, and the outstanding achievements of its film and television shooting locations. Industry veterans, Director Haoyang Guo and Producer Junhui Luo, also joined in person to interact with the students, sharing their experiences and insights from the film and television industry. This session offered students a deeper insight into the industry and helped them map out their future career paths.

This Hengdian World Studios field trip is a significant step in deepening collaboration between the School of Film and TV Arts at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Hengdian World Studios to cultivate talents for the film and television industry jointly. Looking ahead, both parties will further enhance their comprehensive cooperation to create a variety of practical activities for students, aiming to support their future career development with broad opportunities for growth.

Contributed by Yilin Li and Yiming Chen

Edited by Wenzhen Li

Photos courtesy of  Yiming Chen

06 Sep 2024