YMCA 2020 September Perspective
28-09-2020
Cover Story
Capturing Daily Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2020 will go down in history as one of the most challenging and unforgettable years for all of us in Hong Kong. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives, interrupted dreams and affected the physical and mental health of everyone in Hong Kong, creating feelings of fear, loss and devastation. To help the younger generation better express their feelings and emotions during this time of turmoil, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Magna Education Centre and the Hong Kong Micro Movie Institute are teaming up to organise the 7th Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition. This year’s theme is, fittingly, “Our Anti-epidemic Days”, and we are encouraging all participants to create short films and animations about the feelings the pandemic has created in them – and by doing so, send healing vibes and positive energy into the community.
This year’s competition is attracting some big names, including Neo Yau Hawk Sau, a multi-talented digital artist, YouTuber and mini-movie producer as the promotional ambassador; along with several experienced film and television screen practitioners like TV director Andy, sound technician Mr Lam Kam Cheong, and Mr Leung Wing Chung, an actor and screenwriter. Through a series of workshops, these artists will share with the participants various tips on how to improve the production quality of their work. The promotional video features appearances by actors Paul Chun, Harriet Yeung, Kristal Tin Yui Lee, Shiga Lin, Moon Lau Pui Yuet, and the lead singer of local rock band “Mr”, Alan Po Chi Lun. In the video, these special guests encourage secondary school students to take hold of this opportunity, discover their interests and realise their potential to possibly become new talent for Hong Kong’s long-established movie industry.
Through his online workshops, TV director Andy is sharing his experience and teaching students a number of vital movie-making skills, from dubbing and editing to shooting and framing, as well as solutions for shooting on location during the pandemic. So far, the participants have benefited greatly from these workshops and they look forward to physically participating in similar production workshops when the pandemic is finally over.
This year’s panel of judges is also made up of experienced filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, photographers, as well as a selection of winners from the Hong Kong Film Awards. Besides Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in each category, this year’s competition will also feature awards for the Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography and a newly added award, Best Actor, to recognise emerging stars. The winners will receive cash vouchers from department stores, movie tickets, gourmet vouchers and various other gifts with a total combined value of approximately HK$80,000. If you are interested in making mini-movies or producing animations or simply want to express your feelings through the magic of the camera, do not hesitate to sign up for the 7th Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition. The submission deadline is 31 December, so get to work!
Click here to learn more about Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition.
This year’s competition is attracting some big names, including Neo Yau Hawk Sau, a multi-talented digital artist, YouTuber and mini-movie producer as the promotional ambassador; along with several experienced film and television screen practitioners like TV director Andy, sound technician Mr Lam Kam Cheong, and Mr Leung Wing Chung, an actor and screenwriter. Through a series of workshops, these artists will share with the participants various tips on how to improve the production quality of their work. The promotional video features appearances by actors Paul Chun, Harriet Yeung, Kristal Tin Yui Lee, Shiga Lin, Moon Lau Pui Yuet, and the lead singer of local rock band “Mr”, Alan Po Chi Lun. In the video, these special guests encourage secondary school students to take hold of this opportunity, discover their interests and realise their potential to possibly become new talent for Hong Kong’s long-established movie industry.
Through his online workshops, TV director Andy is sharing his experience and teaching students a number of vital movie-making skills, from dubbing and editing to shooting and framing, as well as solutions for shooting on location during the pandemic. So far, the participants have benefited greatly from these workshops and they look forward to physically participating in similar production workshops when the pandemic is finally over.
This year’s panel of judges is also made up of experienced filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, photographers, as well as a selection of winners from the Hong Kong Film Awards. Besides Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in each category, this year’s competition will also feature awards for the Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography and a newly added award, Best Actor, to recognise emerging stars. The winners will receive cash vouchers from department stores, movie tickets, gourmet vouchers and various other gifts with a total combined value of approximately HK$80,000. If you are interested in making mini-movies or producing animations or simply want to express your feelings through the magic of the camera, do not hesitate to sign up for the 7th Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition. The submission deadline is 31 December, so get to work!
Click here to learn more about Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition.
What’s New
Online pandemic chats with experts
Many people in Hong Kong were caught unprepared by the rapid outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the pandemic’s continued unpredictable trajectory. Parents remain worried about many elements of the epidemic and the precarious availability of protective resources; this is creating many challenges and a great deal of stress for them. To help alleviate some of this stress, the YMCA School Social Work Department has invited experts in various subjects to host online talks on home-based exercises, traditional Chinese medicine tips and mindfulness activities; sharing their expertise on these subjects with parents and helping replenish their spirits. Soon, the Association will be launching the “6A Character Education” course, which aims to improve in-home parent-child relationships. This event will be held via the online Zoom platform and is free of charge. Free souvenirs will also be offered. All interested parents are encouraged to click here to register now!
A “Good MPF Employer” once again
Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong has received the “Good MPF Employer Award” for five consecutive years now. For the year 2019/20, we also received the “e-Contribution Award” and the “Support for MPF Management Award” from the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. We are grateful for these awards and will continue to work hard to provide our employees with the best retirement savings protection possible.
YM Volunteer Scheme Awards Presentation Ceremony
The annual YM Volunteer Scheme Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held online this year. A total of nearly 1,700 volunteers received over 2,000 awards, and the total service hours reached 118,050 hours. In addition to Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Soo; J.P, General Secretary Mr. Karl Lau; Mr. Ho Kai Ming, JP, Under Secy for Labour & Welfare serving as speakers, the event also featured sand painting performances and songs performed by volunteers as well as an interview with the outstanding volunteer group. The online ceremony was narrated by renowned DJ Timothy Cheng Tse Shing and will be posted on our Facebook page on October 17, doesn’t miss it out!
Dubbing workshops for mini-movie makers
Attention budding mini-movie makers! Do you want to learn about on-site dubbing, stage dubbing or other ways to add innovative audio elements to your mini-movie? Then don’t miss out on the upcoming dubbing workshop hosted by the 7th Hong Kong Secondary School Mini-Movie Competition!The workshop will be hosted by sound technician Mr Lam Kum Cheung, who has over 20 years of experience in filmmaking and is currently working in location shooting and stage sound. He was educated at the Academy of Performing Arts and worked in cable TV on such projects as “King Maker”, “Two Young People Go Camping” and various live shows and TV advertisements.
Date: 10 October 2020 (Saturday)
Time: 15:00-18:00
Venue: YMCA College of Careers in Yau Ma Tei
Cost: Free of charge.
Places are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis so don’t delay!
Activities Highlights
Training a new generation of “YOLs”
The Association is currently partnering with the Hong Kong Association of Banks for the YOL Youth Influencer Training Programme. The programme provides professional short film production training and shooting tips to young people who want to be influencers, with the goal of helping them become young opinion leaders, or YOLs. The programme has also invited media expert Dr Li Chan Wing to offer free speaking training, interview skills and film production tips to students from grassroots families in P.5 and F.6. The participants will be guided by professional production teams as they shoot short videos on themes such as further education, financial management, entrepreneurship, and parent-child fun. The ultimate goal is that the participants will be able to show off their strengths and make breakthroughs on the Internet that will help their future careers.
Pre-owned computers for students from low-income families
Though local schools have gradually resumed in-person instruction, many students still have to attend online classes. For grassroots families, providing children with computers and network services has turned out to be a heavy financial burden. To alleviate these pressing financial needs, the Association’s service units have been collecting used computers and Internet data cards from generous enterprises and citizens to help bridge the gap and provide support for these students in need. On 5 September, our Jordan Centre was featured in a news programme and since then we have received enthusiastic donations of laptops and tablets. If you also would like to contribute your unwanted tablets or laptops, please contact our Jordan Centre directly at 2781 1411.
Caring for Hong Kong’s ethnic minority groups
Earlier this year, our Kornhill Centre received funding from the IYS Rainbow project run by the Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department. The project was facilitated by international volunteers of different nationalities with the service targets being Hong Kong’s various ethnic minority groups. The project featured several programmes, including the Cheerful English Summer Camp, the “Come to Read” programme, “Hong Kong Explorer”, and a Winter English Camp. The Cheerful English Summer Camp was held last month and saw five international students from the Chinese International School, South Island Middle School and the Delia School of Canada lead twelve local and ethnic minority students on five days of virtual multicultural exchange activities. Thanks to the hard work of the international volunteers, the participants enjoyed themselves and learned a lot at the same time.
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