gua
Nov 27, 2008
Undergraduate / [UC Transfer prompt #1, major: film] Is it focused enough? [NEW]
i feel my essay is not focused enough, also it seems to have some ESL problems. can anyone give me some advice? please feel free to leave your comments... thanks
Prompt # 1
[What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.]
I can tell that I was a shy kid. In kindergarten, while everyone was playing group games, I always stood at the corner and observe. Not a long time later, I found myself having a strong will to express myself. So I headed to art and did my first painting. Probably because I was used to observing, I could handle it quickly. In the following ten years I tried to create with various kinds of media. Eventually I discovered a medium that I could both communicate and interpret best, that is, video. I decided to study film since then.
When I was 13, I did a Chinese language assignment which required me to write a poem. My teacher appreciated my work so she recommended me to join the Poetry Club. Participating in the club, by reading and writing various styles of poetry - from Shakespeare to Szymborska, I learned different ways people use to express their ideology or feelings. Some poets visualize their ideas into symbols, some emphasize on the sense of rhythm. This helped me a lot in reading others' artworks, both verbal and nonverbal ones. I found what I learned could especially be applied to the film medium. That was when I started to rent a lot of DVDs weekly, and tried to analyze each film and write reviews on the internet.
Until summer 2004, when I was 14, I made my first short film. I was admitted to a video production program held by the University of Hong Kong. In that program, I did not only learn video-making techniques such as screenwriting and non-linear editing, but most importantly, the program influenced me in creative thinking. We did brainstorming exercises every day, for example, the instructor asked us to list ways that lines could be drawn. Some say contrails, some even say growing grass. By stimulating students to think in any ways they could, these exercises helped me to push the boundaries in my mind. The program also showed a variety of creative, novel, sometimes absurd videos. I was amazed by a Korean music video that was played both forward and backward in order to narrate a complete story. Since then, I developed a strong interest in experimental films.
I started to bring my camcorder everywhere after that summer. I tried to make different kinds of short films: action, romance, experimental, stop-motion animation. I also made propaganda films for my church, and took part in competitions such as the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards (ifva). However, my most memorable experience was the screening of the video I made for my high school graduation dinner.
At the night the video shown, some of my classmates felt touched and cried. That moment was the biggest satisfaction in my life until now. Not just because it gave me a sense of self-actualization, but most importantly, this event told me how appealing a video could be. Appropriate use of sound and editing in rhythm can touch people's heart directly. From that moment, I truly wish I could create more moving films.
i feel my essay is not focused enough, also it seems to have some ESL problems. can anyone give me some advice? please feel free to leave your comments... thanks
Prompt # 1
[What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities - and what you have gained from your involvement.]
I can tell that I was a shy kid. In kindergarten, while everyone was playing group games, I always stood at the corner and observe. Not a long time later, I found myself having a strong will to express myself. So I headed to art and did my first painting. Probably because I was used to observing, I could handle it quickly. In the following ten years I tried to create with various kinds of media. Eventually I discovered a medium that I could both communicate and interpret best, that is, video. I decided to study film since then.
When I was 13, I did a Chinese language assignment which required me to write a poem. My teacher appreciated my work so she recommended me to join the Poetry Club. Participating in the club, by reading and writing various styles of poetry - from Shakespeare to Szymborska, I learned different ways people use to express their ideology or feelings. Some poets visualize their ideas into symbols, some emphasize on the sense of rhythm. This helped me a lot in reading others' artworks, both verbal and nonverbal ones. I found what I learned could especially be applied to the film medium. That was when I started to rent a lot of DVDs weekly, and tried to analyze each film and write reviews on the internet.
Until summer 2004, when I was 14, I made my first short film. I was admitted to a video production program held by the University of Hong Kong. In that program, I did not only learn video-making techniques such as screenwriting and non-linear editing, but most importantly, the program influenced me in creative thinking. We did brainstorming exercises every day, for example, the instructor asked us to list ways that lines could be drawn. Some say contrails, some even say growing grass. By stimulating students to think in any ways they could, these exercises helped me to push the boundaries in my mind. The program also showed a variety of creative, novel, sometimes absurd videos. I was amazed by a Korean music video that was played both forward and backward in order to narrate a complete story. Since then, I developed a strong interest in experimental films.
I started to bring my camcorder everywhere after that summer. I tried to make different kinds of short films: action, romance, experimental, stop-motion animation. I also made propaganda films for my church, and took part in competitions such as the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards (ifva). However, my most memorable experience was the screening of the video I made for my high school graduation dinner.
At the night the video shown, some of my classmates felt touched and cried. That moment was the biggest satisfaction in my life until now. Not just because it gave me a sense of self-actualization, but most importantly, this event told me how appealing a video could be. Appropriate use of sound and editing in rhythm can touch people's heart directly. From that moment, I truly wish I could create more moving films.