LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Mulgrave’s film programme offers an incredible opportunity for students to explore both the technical and creative aspects of this communication and art form. We chatted with two students from the Class of 2022, Peter Zhu and Mona Xie, to get their take:

What’s the draw of film?

PETER: I deeply enjoy film as I can both realise elements of my wild imagination and bond with other talented, like-minded people during the production process.

How has Mulgrave’s film programme supported your development?

MONA: It strikes a steady balance between academic analysis and creative production of films. Supported by industry-level equipment and a rich network of professionals and alumni, students make lasting friendships during collaborative projects and express themselves through a meaningful creative outlet.

How has your understanding changed through the IB DP film programme?

MONA: My friends and I made comedic skits and YouTube-esque blooper reels in Middle School, but DP taught me to see film as equal to more traditionally celebrated art forms (visual art, literature, etc). I matured by exploring my multicultural and philosophical interests and learned to understand film as a language that transcends barriers - a medium for social commentary and historical record-keeping around the world.

How will the skills you learned in film transfer to post-secondary?

PETER: I will attend the University of Southern California and my goal is to become a writer/director for films, TV, and games. No matter where I end up, Mulgrave’s film programme inspired my love of film and storytelling, and what I’ve learned will be crucial to my start in Los Angeles.

MONA: Through film production and analysis, I honed my creative and critical thinking skills. As a prospective law student, this will be especially valuable in understanding the stories that unfold in courts: witness testimonies, the facts of the case, and conflicting interpretations of who’s in the right and who’s in the wrong. Film is a vehicle not just for creativity, but for information.

What advice would you give students entering the DP film programme?

PETER: Don’t be discouraged when your script receives harsh feedback, your end product isn’t what you imagined, or you run into unexpected, unsolvable problems. These challenges help you become a better filmmaker, as long as you learn from mistakes and hardships. As long as you trust the process and put in the work, you will create something great and have lots of fun along the way.