Emerging Talent Showcased in Second Silent Film Festival
When Tisch School of the Arts Asia opened, so did a new series of traditions. Each February, first year graduate film students in Singapore and New York meet online for the first time to celebrate 20 of the best short silent (MOS) films made during the fall term. The Second Annual MOS Celebration, held 14 February 2009, is designed to foster collaboration between the artists on both campuses.
The Top 20
Earlier in the year, students and faculty voted for the 10 best films from each campus to be screened during the celebration.
Gabrielle Demeestere (New York)
The Last CigaretteNathanael Carton (Singapore)
A Married WomanJames Edward Franco (New York)
The Feast of StephenKyle Haskett (Singapore)
Dark CountryKen Ing Kirsten Tan (New York)
Cold NoodlesJordan Schiele (Singapore)
PrankBrantley Jones (New York)
ErrandsKenny Gee (Singapore)
Meat at Block 320Nikita Liamzine (New York)
ProductMary Beth Dickerson (Singapore)
EmbersShiva Bajpai (New York)
The SinghsChun-Yi Hsieh (Singapore)
Toy ManMargaret Shin (New York)
People WatchingAnya Hoerlein (Singapore)
Anil Goes to WorkMichael Wood (New York)
Around the BlockShi Jie Tan (Singapore)
A Bright Bright AfternoonHye Mee Na (New York)
The BagEmmanuel Osei-kuffor (Singapore)
When Doors OpenJose Angel Avila del Pino (New York)
Boy Meets GirlChristopher Broe (Singapore)
The Rescuer Hero
What is MOS?
MOS, a common phrase among filmmakers, means without synchronous sound. The MOS shorts are a test of the filmmaker’s ability to tell a story without the use of dialogue.
How Did They Do That?
The 13-hour time difference between Singapore and New York means that most often when one class is working, the other class is sleeping. In this case, exceptions were made. The screening in New York started at 9 p.m., Friday, February 13, and in Singapore, it was already 10 a.m., Saturday morning.
What Did They Learn?
The students learned they have more in common than they initially thought. During the interactive video chat, laughter filled both rooms. A student studying in New York remarked that she had traveled all the way from Singapore to New York for the same education. And, both classes have a student named Ash, who was born in Bombay and raised in the United Kingdom.
