NTU students film wildlife documentaries in Tibet

Channel NewsAsia 31 Dec 07;

SINGAPORE:Six undergraduates from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have just returned from a film-making expedition in Tibet.

The students were picked to go there to film wildlife.

Coupled with freezing weather, it turned out to be an experience they would never forget.

There is nothing glamorous about trekking through the wilderness in south-western China in winter-time but it's an opportunity not to be missed, for some students from NTU’s school of Art, Design and Media.

Under the guidance of experienced conservationists and film-makers, the undergrads captured the black-necked cranes of Shangri-La (formerly called Zhongdian) and the Tibetan mastiffs which are known for its ferocity and loyalty.

And filming their subjects was just one of the many challenges on the ground.

Boo Xinying, a student from NTU’s Art, Design and Media said: "You would think marshes is like wetlands and all, but it was actually iced mud. So as you step on it, it's very unnerving because you actually feel the ice beneath your feet crackling as you step with all your equipment. So me, Kenny and Joseph - we were thinking if we ever fall into the mud, we have to throw our equipment aside, because (we have) to save the equipment first."

Another student, Ellen Tay Wee Ling, said: "There's ice on the road. So there's a couple of moments when the cars (were) sliding along, but we trust the driver and we trust the car. So, in the end, it turned out to be okay. It's really exciting to see that there (are) no railings at the side of the cliff."

Such a first-hand experience was the prize for only six students, who were picked from 30 applicants.

To win themselves the trip to Tibet, the students had to submit an essay as well as footage.

The best six then went on a first-of-its-kind expedition sponsored by Canon Singapore in collaboration with Wildlife Asia and the China Exploration and Research Society (CERS).

The NTU expedition was from 11 to 20 December and was led by Chris Dickinson of Wildlife Asia, and Wong How Man of the China Exploration and Research Society. The participants were six film major undergraduates with Assistant Professor Scott Hessels and Teaching Fellow Jan-Christophe Daniel.

Experts said more film students have the potential to experience a similar adventure.

Chris Dickinson, Executive Director of Wildlife Asia, said: "You do have great film schools, but the industry has to develop more, to ensure that the guys coming out of schools have jobs to go to. But you really have to kind of look long-term, you have to look another five, 10 years down the line."

NTU plans to release documentaries on the expedition, in the first half of 2008 and the production will be submitted to established film festivals around the world. -CNA/vm