The activities were part of sCene 3, a series of new media-centric events organised by Innova Junior College (IJC), the Centre of Excellence for New Media and New Media Arts. sCene 3 kicked off on 28 May 2007 with a three-day National New Media Arts Camp. With the aid of industry professionals, the students learnt different new media disciplines: digital photography, digital filmmaking, digital broadcasting and music design, and website and graphics design and animation.

"We were brought on a learning journey," recalled Tang Jun Hao of Fairfield Methodist School. Besides the digital photography skills he picked up, he added that a professional photographer for The Straits Times had provided many useful tips on creative composition and camera angles."

The students put their know-how to practice by preparing digital productions for the National New Media Arts Challenge from July to August. These were designed to champion social causes by lobbying for charitable organisations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Heartware Network and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Beatty Secondary School students working on their prize-winning website.

The Beatty Secondary team developed a website that tackles animal abuse with an opening animated segment where a boy stands up to a youth manhandling a cat. The team chose the SPCA as they wanted to spread the message of kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership. One of the team members, Chai Jia Xun, notes that in this task, new media "has the potential to be a highly engaging and effective means to reach out to the public."

Festival Di'Arts

On 4 September, sCene 3 culminated in Festival Di'Arts, which showcased the winning entries from the National New Media Arts Challenge. Beatty Secondary School was the overall winner, taking the Adobe Outstanding Achievement Award for its multimedia website on the SPCA and kindness to animals. The New Media Innovator of the Year Award went to the team from Gan Eng Seng Secondary School for their anti-animal abuse website.

Festival Di'Arts also included public screenings of short films produced by IJC students from the school's Film Production Unit in 2006. The Coin, Passion and Love Plot were screened at The Cathay Cineplex (see details below).

Besides film awards and screenings, IJC also shared their experience of using the online simulation game Second Life to immerse students in virtual reality world environments for General Paper lessons. "Students are less inhibited in a Second Life environment and this has been a liberating experience for class discussions," said Ms Baey Shi Chen, a General Paper teacher at IJC.

Meanwhile, Henderson Secondary demonstrated how podcasts have enhanced the classroom experience, as students learn to research, write, manage and produce digital programmes all by themselves. "Henderson Secondary has truly brought the teaching of various subjects out of the classroom," commented Ms Valerie Co, a teacher from Jurong Secondary.

Promoting interactive digital media in Singapore

Why the emphasis on new media? Speakers at Festival Di'Arts from the Media Development Authority noted that the interactive digital media sector is expected to create 10,000 jobs and generate S$10 billion by 2015. "It's important for the education sector to know what the industry looks for so as to better prepare the students for the workforce," observed Mr Wang Jiunn, a teacher at the School of the Arts.

At the same time, teachers cannot overlook the need to cultivate the right values in their IT-savvy students. "New media is a rising phenomenon in Singapore. It is a double-edged sword that we want students to wield responsibly, especially to benefit the community," remarks Mr Lee Peck Ping, Subject Head of New Media Arts at IJC.

Films by IJC New Media Art students screened at Festival Di'Arts

The Coin
The Coin reveals the helplessness and psychological stress that Jason, a teenager, goes through in his unhappy family. Unable to cope with the strain at home and feeling neglected, Jason leaves home. The coin is an analogy for the importance of both parents or 'sides' in the upbringing of their children.
Writer/Director/Producer: Neevan S/O Punjoonathan
Co producers: Aaron Teo Ming Ming and Poh Yze Yang

Passion
Khai does not understand why his father disapproves of his involvement in the music band. The father and son relationship worsens after Khai decides to join a band competition. On the day of the competition, Khai's guitar mysteriously disappears. Will he still be able to pursue his passion? Will he reconcile with his father?
Writers: Elaine Ng Yi Ling and Reina Heng Hui Ying
Producer: Reina Heng Hui Ying
Director: Elaine Ng Yi Ling

Love Plot
John is obsessed about being the top student in his cohort in terms of exam performance. However, he is always second to Celeste, the top girl in college. One day, both of them get acquainted and love develops. But this is just the first step in John's plot to realise his academic ambition.
Producers: Ho Xueying and Darric Eu