Chasing dreams in filmmaking

WHEN Sunway University made the announcement last year offering a new programme in Digital Film Production, 21-year-old Steven Soon, who aspires to be a filmmaker, seized the opportunity immediately. He originally planned to further his studies in broadcasting due to the limited film programmes available in Kuala Lumpur as he found that many filmmakers are often from the broadcasting background.
“When Sunway University announced it was offering the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Digital Film Production, there were no doubts. I want to be a filmmaker, and this is going to help me achieve my dream,” he said.
The Penangnite shared that he had been on the lookout for digital film production programmes in Malaysia for almost a year.
“Since I did not sit for the STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) examination, public universities were out of the picture. Besides there is only a handful of private universities offering the programme and they are either too expensive or are not located in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
He further explained that he had since established a network in Kuala Lumpur and does not want his efforts wasted. The YouTube filmmaker, who set up Steven Soon Productions in 2013, was awarded The Chancellors Scholarship for Sunway University and Lancaster University to pursue the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Digital Film Production.
“When the call came an hour after the interview, I was lost for words and in disbelief. The whole year of highs and lows boiled down to that moment. It is truly a blessing which I will not take for granted,” said Steven as he recalled the moment he was informed of the Chancellors Scholarship award.
Asides from chasing his dreams in filmmaking, the former student of Chung Ling High School in Penang, is excited to start his university life, with hopes of bringing his understanding of filmmaking to a whole new level.
“There is a saying that university years are the best years of one’s life. I am looking forward to experience that in Sunway University. A well-rounded experience is not just academically, but socially as well.
"Besides studying, I also want to be involved in a vibrant community which I believe Sunway University can offer,” he added.
Before Steven joined the programme, he had the opportunity to meet up with some of the lecturers. He is learning from them and expanding his skill sets and knowledge of the industry.
“I also hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams and stand up for what they believe in,” said Steven. Since young, Steven had loved movies. He shared that during his teenage years, he would spend hours watching short films on YouTube.
“Stories have always captivated me. I had the chance to help a friend portray an interesting story through his short film and I got hooked!” he shared
His passion for short film production started when he came across a Thai advertisement. The way the advertisement moved its audience to tears and struck a chord in him.
“I realised how big an impact a three-to five-minute video can make. We can try to persuade people with words for the longest time but a short film can change a person’s mindset in less than 10 minutes.
“I just love it when I am able to convey an idea, concept or message through the art of filmmaking. Every video completed is like a newborn baby and the excitement of announcing its birth to the world is uncontainable. Making a film makes me feel like I am giving my idea a solid body that is tangible and can be seen, felt and understood.
“To be able to show my creation to the world, that feeling is unimaginable,” said Steven.
The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Digital Film Production is a Sunway University homegrown programme which is validated by Lancaster University. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are awarded two certificates – one from Sunway University and another from Lancaster University.
The three-year programme offered under the School of Arts aims to produce versatile creative producers who are skilled in audio-visual production and transmedia application across multiple screens to enhance capability and competency in Malaysia’s growing creative economy.
The expertise acquired in the programme will be relevant to a diverse range of conventional and new career options within and beyond the current media landscape that has been revolutionised by digital technology.
For further information about the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Digital Film Production or any other programme under the School of Arts at Sunway University, call 03-7491 8622 or visit https://university. sunway.edu.my/arts