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The Government Youth Portal (Youth.gov.hk), in collaboration with the Academy of Film under the School of Communication of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), is launching a nine-month project entitled "Youth Inno-action!" Seeds Project (Seeds Project) with the aim of enhancing the artistic knowledge and aesthetic appreciation of secondary school students, and nurturing their professional and creative skills in digital video production through a series of creative seminars, interactive workshops, a competition and exchange activities.
The Seeds Project was officially launched today (November 5). Officiating at the ceremony were the Managing Director of Youth.gov.hk and the Deputy Head of Efficiency Unit, Mrs Patricia Lau; the Assistant Head of CreateHK and the Secretary-General of the Film Development Council, Mr Wellington Fung; the person-in-charge of Pegasus Motion Pictures and the Advisory Board Member of the HKBU Academy of Film Seeds Project, Mr Raymond Wong; and the Chairman of the HKBU Academy of Film Seeds Project and the Director of the Academy of Film, School of Communication, HKBU, Professor Cheuk Pak-tong. They kicked off the project by passing four creative elements representing passion, light, young people and the source of inspiration to the students. Students then passed on and spread the creative elements, symbolising the continuity and development of creativity.
Following the ceremony, students gained valuable insights into techniques in film creation and production from four veteran film practitioners at the Project's first seminar on the topic "Seeing creativity from 361°". Speakers of the seminar include renowned media professional, Mr Lau Tin-chi; film directors, Mr Kenneth Bi and Mr Derek Kwok; and renowned actor and Lecturer of Academy of Film, School of Communication, HKBU, Mr Liu Kai-chi.
Mrs Patricia Lau said that the collaboration between Youth.gov.hk and the Academy of Film under HKBU was inspired by the first award presentation ceremony for "Fresh Takes on Nature- A Moving Image Competition for Secondary Students in Hong Kong" organised by Youth.gov.hk. Impressed by the creativity, talent and passion of the participants of the Competition, she and Professor Cheuk determined to establish a Seeds Project providing professional training in digital video production for secondary students.
"Youth.gov.hk has always been encouraging and promoting creativity. I have experienced the creativity of many young people. A lot of the students' creativity and production are featured in Youth Portal, such as the animation produced by the students of Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College and outstanding works from the Hong Kong Interschool Film Festival. I hope that students could grab this precious opportunity to polish their video production skills through an enjoyable learning process and explore their creativity," she said.
Professor Cheuk said the HKBU Academy of Film is dedicated to nurturing professional talent in the film and television sector as well as in digital video production. Over the past decades, the Academy has been offering professional higher diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and doctoral degrees which combine a theoretical and practical approach. In addition to providing students with an integrated academic programme in the field of film, the Academy has also nurtured many outstanding and talented professionals, thus promoting the development of the film and television industry.
Professor Cheuk said: "To further carry out its mission, the Academy has joined hands with the Government to organise the Seeds Project in order to nurture more professionals for the film, television and digital video production industry in the Greater China region. The project not only gives students who are interested in developing their career in this discipline a taste of the technical operation of the industry, but also enables them to learn more about the working of each professional area through a series of interactive workshops, so that they will be able to decide which area they are interested in and opt for suitable courses at university."
The Seeds Project is sponsored by CreateHK. In addition to the above seminar, a series of digital video production workshops will be held covering five key professional areas-directing, cinematography and lighting, sound recording, post-production and film language-through which students will be able to identify specific professions that suit their interests. They will also have the chance to produce a digital video under the supervision of professional experts and practice what they have learnt as well as exchange ideas with other participants in a short video competition.
For details on the Seeds Project, please visit: www.youth.gov.hk/innoaction.
Ends/Saturday, November 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:35
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