New blood in an old artform.

• Main Authors: Koh, Li Lian., Lim, Lay Kim.
• Other Authors: Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Mass media::Broadcasting::Motion pictures and films::Documentary
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14790
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Our project, titled "New Blood In An Old Artform," is an eight to ten minutes documentary on the unusual involvement of a 19-year old polytechnic student with Cantonese opera. Through our subject, Chan Kok Meng, we will feature opera in relation to his experiences in the art form. The documentary will start off with how a typical day of his begins after school, in preparation for his practices at the Tung On Wui Kun. The documentary will begin from the point-of-view of Kok Meng. The camera will trace his steps from the point he leaves school until he arrives at the entrance of the door. Supers bearing his biodata such as his name and interests would then be shown. This would be followed by Kok Meng stating his initial view of opera. The audience will learn about his reasons for joining the troupe, his area of expertise in the troupe and the problems he encounters with his dual roles of being a student and a performer. The sacrifices that he makes as a result of his involvement in a Cantonese opera troupe and his achievements will also be featured. Throughout Kok Meng's revelation of his experiences, the documentary will be punctuated with the various aspects of opera: the martial arts practices, rehearsals and the Chinese orchestra that provides the beats for the performances. The end of the program will be dedicated to the preparation work on an actual day of a performance which includes make-up, headgear, incense-offering and putting on of costumes. The whole documentary will emphasize motion. It would be presented with visuals, wild sound, music, commentary and Kok Meng's own voice. Additional information such as how often he goes for his practices would be covered in the commentary. However, there will be minimal use of a voice-over to avoid treating the subject as a third person. As a result, the producers hope that the audience would feel 'closer' to the subject and be able to relate to him, especially since our intended target audience are mostly youngsters.