1. Purposes

To further develop the successful "10 months 10 films" project in 2003-2004, TPD is proposing the project "Master Class" to assist the professional development of young filmmakers in 2005-2006. The purpose of this project is to create a broader and more diversified film space in which young filmmakers can freely develop their talents.

Filmmaking is an art that requires comprehensive training. This training will be more effective if students manage to have close cooperation with experienced filmmakers. This is rarely possible in Vietnam, and as a result, many promising young filmmakers disappear before they have a chance to mature. This project provides a master class for several young filmmakers who will work closely with director Tran Anh Hung. Each of them will produce a short celluloid film technically qualified for entry into international festivals.

2. Expected Outcomes

This is the continuation of the short film course at a higher level. The master course will have the participation of the best students from the previous course and talented young filmmakers who have already produced at least one film.  The three people selected fro the master class will produce three short movies that can meet all the standards of production quality at international film festivals.

3. Implementation

This project is next step of "10 months 10 films." The best students in the "10 months 10 films" part, and two young filmmakers having excellent work of cinema will be invited to participate in a specialized course guided by international recognized director Tran Anh Hung. The students will produce three short 35 mm celluloid films. These films will meet the technical and artistic standards to qualify for participation in International Film Festivals such as

Cannes and Sundance. 

4. Project schedule

- In March 2005, a training course on script-writing with lecturer TrÇn Anh Hïng. The trainees directly worked with the lecturer through their own screenplays. Then, they could develop and perfect their scripts.

Result: At the end of the course, the trainees could finish their detailed screenplays to produce movies.

- Shooting stage:

Since May 2005, the short movies were made in celluloid film 35mm. This stage helped Vietnamese young filmmakers to access to professional cinematic techniques and skills.

Three short movies were produced with the attendance of all trainees as members of the film crew. The trainees could practice and were required to strictly observe different current professional filmmaking process. These are celluloid feature films with synchronous sounds.

Main roles in cinematic techniques (cinematographer, art designer, make-up) were undertaken by Vietnamese technicians.

The TPD Center asked some film companies to fund the movies, especially with modern equipment and techniques.

- Finishing stage:

Techniques and facilities available in Vietnam were exploited to save costs.  The equipment and devices available at the TPD Center (funded by Ford Foundation in the First “Ten Months Ten Movies”) were also made full use. The movies were telecined into video format and processed with the nonlinear software Final Cut Pro. Then, they were reassembled in keycode on celluloid film. Sound effects were made on the film.

Results: Three movies were finished on celluloid film 35mm

5. Post-project period:

- To attend the world’s short film festivals

- To plan the assistant and exchange projects for young filmmakers in Southeast Asisa (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia) in the same way.