Yew Wah students step behind the camera at XJTLU

23 Oct 2024

High school students from Yew Wah School of Shanghai Gubei (“Yew Wah”) recently had an inspiring and hands-on field trip at XJTLU’s School of Film and TV Arts. The students delved into various aspects of the film and television industry, getting a taste of everything from TV production and short film shooting to animation design, all while exploring the art and science behind it. The activity showcased the School’s commitment to innovative and syntegrative education.

The field trip started with a warm welcome from Dr Karolina Pawlik, who introduced the students to the School, its structure, and the exciting courses. Accompanied by technical staff, the students were then given a tour of the facilities, gaining insight into the School’s impressive teaching spaces and cutting-edge equipment.

In the TV studio, Yew Wah students had the chance to participate in the recording of the programme It Takes Two. Guided by Dr David Lowden, Wai Kit Leong, Yijun Guo, and the technical team, the students got hands-on experience with all aspects of TV production, from operating studio cameras and changing sets to managing microphones, running the show floor, and working the sound and visuals from the control room. This immersive experience gave them a real sense of what goes into producing a television show. After the recording, everyone gathered to watch the game show they had just created.

“The field trip was organised so well! The School’s top-notch equipment blew me away, and how much I learned,” said an enthusiastic Tiffany Jiang, a Senior two student. She was particularly impressed by the high-tech environment and clear instruction, which sparked her interest in pursuing film and TV studies.

Another Senior two student, Matthew, expressed his excitement about the day. “The activities were closely related to my field of study, and it was an incredible learning opportunity. The School of Film and TV Arts curriculum is highly professional, and the facilities are top-tier.” He added that he’s currently working on his portfolio and considering a future in the film industry.

In the afternoon, the students participated in a motion graphics workshop led by Yu Sheng and Tian Leng. They learned text animation and kinetic typography techniques through interactive demonstrations in Adobe After Effects. This session honed their practical skills and ignited their interest in animation design.

During the filmmaking workshop, students worked on shooting the short script Potential, gaining practical experience in film production. Led by Morgan Peline, they explored key elements like framing, camera operation, lighting, and teamwork, giving them an inside look at what goes into making a film.

Jack Feng, a senior three student, was highly impressed by the School’s modern facilities and the engaging, interactive activities. “The facilities here are amazing, and the activities were so well thought out. I really got a feel for what it’s like to produce a TV show,” Jack remarked. Although he’s already decided on his future academic path, he said this experience provided valuable insights.

Digital Media students Lucky and Mikaela also praised the School’s facilities. “The whole experience was fantastic, and we even learned some new skills, like how to use After Effects,” they said. The pair felt the School’s equipment was perfectly suited to their major and expressed interest in furthering their studies in this field.

Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts, spoke about the School’s mission, highlighting its dedication to pushing the boundaries of media education. Through its integrated approach to learning, the School aims to create a dynamic ecosystem where students can thrive. Professor Mai emphasised that the field trip embodied the School’s commitment to providing unique, hands-on learning experiences. Not only did it give international students a glimpse into XJTLU’s distinctive educational model, but it also sparked their passion for film and TV arts.

Professor Mai also pointed out that Yew Wah students gained a deeper understanding of film production and animation design by participating in this programme. This experience opened doors to future opportunities while broadening their horizons. The hands-on practice provided a well-rounded introduction to various film and TV arts aspects, offering valuable guidance for their future academic and career choices.

 

By Wenzhen Li, Zhen Ma

Photos courtesy of Susu Chen, Tinghua Zhang

23 Oct 2024