Wong Kai Ing (third from left) and two other team members, Ong Zai Jun (fourth from left) and Teo Poh Yee (fifth from left) were presented with the First Runner-up prize in the Canon Short Film Contest 2023. Also seen here are Hunter Zhang (leftmost), Director of Image Communication Business Division, Canon Marketing Malaysia, Tuan Razali Tuan Omar (second from left), Director, Corporate Communications, Tourism Malaysia and Shunji Yoshikai (rightmost), President and CEO of Canon Marketing Malaysia.
The announcement of the Second Prize win in the Xiamen University Malaysia’s Sixth Stellar Prize award ceremony.
The ’Drama Inside Documentary: The Chapter of Song’, produced by TAR UMT students was selected for the First Runner-up position in the College & University category at the Canon Short Film Contest 2023 and they also secured the Second Prize in the Xiamen University Malaysia’s Sixth Stellar Prize in the Best Documentary Film of the Videography category. The competitions were held on 18 November 2023 and 15 December 2023 respectively. A team of 13 students from the Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Broadcasting worked together to produce the documentary.
The documentary was inspired by a quote from “Farewell My Concubine”, a 1993 Chinese historical drama film, which suggests that being human involves understanding and appreciating the emotional complexity of life, as seen in both real experiences and in art like theatre and film. It implies that this ability to engage with drama and emotion is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.
Wong Kai Ing, the Director of the documentary, explained: “Through the documentary, we aim to unravel the intricacies of Cantonese Opera, elucidate its historical significance and influence in the Malaysian film and cultural milieu, and engage in a profound discussion about its inheritance and challenges in contemporary society.
Kai Ing credited their mentor, Ts Wayne Ooi Swee Yaw, Deputy Dean and Lecturer in the Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI), for providing valuable professional advice, particularly in the editing process, and guiding them through the film festival and competition submission processes.
“Studying the Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Broadcasting has been instrumental in equipping me with the essential skills and knowledge needed to undertake the making of this film. The programme has provided me with a comprehensive understanding in the areas of communication, including media production, storytelling, and audience engagement. In particular, the broadcasting focus within the degree has honed my skills in visual storytelling, cinematography, and editing – all critical components in the filmmaking process. Courses within the programme have also covered the cultural and historical aspects of media, which is invaluable when exploring traditional Chinese drama such as Cantonese Opera. Moreover, I am also able to foster a creative and critical mindset, encouraging me to think analytically about the cultural influences on media and how to effectively communicate diverse narratives to an audience,” he explained.
His piece of advice is to follow one’s passion and persist in pursuing one’s dreams. “I have faced rejections from several festivals and competitions in the past. However, my team and I refused to give up, instead, we continued to create the content we were passionate about and embraced opportunities for improvement with each project. Persistence is key and in due time, those who are well-prepared and steadfast in their dedication will stand out and be recognised,” he enthused.
