On August 7th, six students from Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, Chapman University in California, and twelve students from Dongseo University, who are majoring in Film & Video, shot a scene from a short film titled ’Hello Korea!’ at a traditional Korean house in Miryang in Gyeongnam province. The scene involves an American student who wants to date a Korean girl. The film, which Dongseo and Dodge are jointly producing, is about the process of his learning Korean culture. In the scene, he was meeting his Korean friend’s grandmother.
Professor Lee Jong Chan of DSU’s Film & Video Department. said, “I was worried about communication and food problems, but the Korean and American students became intimately acquainted with each other and found common ground as up-and-coming artists. I’m proud of them as they were absorbed in their work even in tough situations. They worked as a team through difficult situations such as moving heavy equipment. ”
The academic exchange agreement concluded by DSU Im Kwon Taek College of Film & Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film & Media Arts last year was the inspiration behind this collaboration. From August 22nd to September 2nd, DSU students visited the United States and made another short film with American students from Dodge College. This was the first time for students from Korea and the U.S. to shoot a film together in Korea. DSU planned the synopsis of the film, casting actors, and selecting the location.
Kim Ju Hee (Film & Video, junior), who was directing the film, said, “The American team separates directing and other parts. The director just focused on blocking, and experts took on the other things. I’m interested in the process, knowing and learning about each other. I learned a lot from our discussion about the synopsis, scenes and scheduling.”
David Hellman, the American director, said, “On the 5th we shot the film until 1 a.m. and the next day until 3 a.m. Korea’s passion for movies is really tremendous.” Professor Lee also added, “If the movie is completed in early October, it will be entered in a film festival.”