The Department of Filmmaking ran a project last semester engaging almost 50 graduate and undergraduate students with the help of several professors in producing a few short period films.
The project was offered as a course of the semester allowing both graduate and undergraduate students to take. Prof. Tung Wang, chairman of the department, guided the students in directing the films, while Prof. Liang Ching-sung advised on producing and editing, Prof. Chang Chan on lighting and photography, and Prof. Jim Shum on sound effects.
For the students, it was a course that took them through the entire process of filmmaking, including the writing and revising of the scripts, budget distribution and control, production time control, casting, training for the actors and actresses, writing the storyboards, constructing the scenes and others.
The preparation work, such as casting and script selection, started as early as July last year. In general, undergraduate programs offered by filmmaking departments usually focus on performing and technical courses. But this project included training in fine arts, photography, sound recording, performing, editing and post-production.
During the semester, outside experts were invited to teach the students the art of fighting and costumes in Chinese period films. Prof. Wang noted that there were multiple purposes of a course that combined undergraduate and graduate students in a filmmaking project. Student could get to understand every aspect of the filmmaking process, it was also an occasion where they could learn about the filmmakers’ work ethics, as well as the conventions and rules of filmmaking.
The project set the period in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The setting was an inn, and students were free to make up their own stories of any genres, from mystery, martial art, romance, comedy, political to thriller.