by NY6ThinkTank Student Fellows, Jie Li and Evian (Yiyun)
"Because the arts and humanities do not seem practical to many people, with seemingly limited career paths (which concerns many parents) and the required mastery of English language, many Chinese students hesitate to pursue their interests in the arts and humanities. Therefore, our short documentary film “Chinese Thoughts Mingle” explores and shares the stories of Chinese students who study the arts and humanities at Skidmore. We hope that it will inspire and encourage our Chinese, international, and American peers to follow their own interests and further engage in arts and humanities curriculum. The film, 8-10 minutes long, examines the personal interests and working experiences of approximately six upper-class students who have decided to share their thoughts and feelings on this important subject."
"Because the arts and humanities do not seem practical to many people, with seemingly limited career paths (which concerns many parents) and the required mastery of English language, many Chinese students hesitate to pursue their interests in the arts and humanities. Therefore, our short documentary film “Chinese Thoughts Mingle” explores and shares the stories of Chinese students who study the arts and humanities at Skidmore. We hope that it will inspire and encourage our Chinese, international, and American peers to follow their own interests and further engage in arts and humanities curriculum. The film, 8-10 minutes long, examines the personal interests and working experiences of approximately six upper-class students who have decided to share their thoughts and feelings on this important subject."
Chinese Thoughts Mingle from Evian Pan on Vimeo.
Throughout the spring semester of 2016, NY6ThinkTank Student Fellows, Jie Li and Evian (Yiyun)
interviewed five students with diverse academic backgrounds and interests: from theater to anthropology, from media and film studies to studio art. They also documented the students’ work in their respective environments.
"While editing our video footage, we found that the story of Lei Jin, an art major who just graduated, is the most compelling as well as representative of the situation that our film aims to address. Meanwhile, her story is the most straightforward and engaging. After consulting friends and documentary professionals, our final version of the film starts with a background research and shots of four other students and then merges into the main storyline of Lei Jin.
By interacting with these interviewees, we learned their personal paths they have followed, their parents’ ideas, as well as their current academic and personal lives at Skidmore College (and post-graduate plans). We hope the film could draw out an image portraying our fellows and encouraging other peers."
interviewed five students with diverse academic backgrounds and interests: from theater to anthropology, from media and film studies to studio art. They also documented the students’ work in their respective environments.
"While editing our video footage, we found that the story of Lei Jin, an art major who just graduated, is the most compelling as well as representative of the situation that our film aims to address. Meanwhile, her story is the most straightforward and engaging. After consulting friends and documentary professionals, our final version of the film starts with a background research and shots of four other students and then merges into the main storyline of Lei Jin.
By interacting with these interviewees, we learned their personal paths they have followed, their parents’ ideas, as well as their current academic and personal lives at Skidmore College (and post-graduate plans). We hope the film could draw out an image portraying our fellows and encouraging other peers."