MDA and Salon Films to offer professional filmmaking programme at Hengdian World Studios

SINGAPORE:Singapore filmmakers will soon have an opportunity to acquire advanced filmmaking skills at the world's largest television and film studios located in Zhejiang, China. This follows a partnership between the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and Salon Films to launch an attachment programme under MDA's Media Training and Attachment (META) Programme.

'The Reel Experience', to be launched in February next year, will cover all related costs including flights, accommodation, visa, insurance, food and local transport for the first batch of 20 successful applicants. They will be attached to work on fully or partially funded film scripts with production budget of up to S$1 million. During the attachment, filmmakers will be trained on advanced motion picture filming, equipment handling, as well as pre-production and principal photography for a period of 12 weeks in China, Hong Kong or Macau. One of the locations for film training and production is at Hengdian World Studios - the world's largest locations and facilities for notable films such as "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor", "The Forbidden Kingdom", MediaCorp Raintree's "Painted Skin" and "Hero" by Zhang Yimou.

The film scripts, which will be selected by Salon Films, will come from applicants' submitted scripts or Salon Film's portfolio. Upon completion, Salon Films will assist selected projects to secure sales and distribution channels. Mr Tham Wai Kin, Director of Talent Development, MDA said: "The primary objective of the programme is to help Singapore filmmakers improve the quality of their production and develop more commercially viable films, while enhancing their filmmaking and production skills at the same time. Ultimately, we hope to produce more compelling Made-by-Singapore content to captivate world audiences." This collaboration sets a firm foundation for further cooperation between the parties, and enhances the good relations between Singapore and China. Last year, Salon announced the setting up of a S$100m Integrated Media Fund to produce a slate of feature films, TV series, animation and related interactive game development content over the next five years.

"Salon Films is thrilled at the prospect of becoming a part of MDA's META Programme", said Mr. Fred Wang, Chairman of Salon Films Group, "We wish to make the programme one of the best options for Singapore's students and working professionals who want to have hands-on experience while learning a whole new skill set."

The attachment programme is open to all Singaporean Citizens or Permanent Residents. Interested applicants may submit scripts or apply to be part of this professional filmmaking programme at www.salonfilmssg.com. Qualified applicants willbe shortlisted via an interview selection process. The closing date for applications is 13 December 2009.