In April this year, I made a trip back to Singapore in midst school term for a scholarship interview with the Media Development Authority of Singapore. It was such a worthwhile gamble as I got the scholarship to fund my studies in England! Singapore Media Fusion was kind enough to interview me about it.
For the full article, please follow this link.
(I was misquoted in the caption under my photo in the article. I don’t make musical compositions, but emotive soundscapes. Well, hopefully. :))
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RISING STARS: MES SCHOLARS
KEEPING DREAMS AND PASSION ALIVE
Three Media Education Scheme scholars, who will be based overseas to hone their craft, let us in on their hopes and aspirations.
FOR a sound designer, an artist-animator and a documentary producer, the world is their oyster indeed, thanks to assistance from the Media Development Authority of Singapore’s Media Education Scheme (MES), which will be part of the new Talent Assistance Scheme.
Lim Ting Li, Zhu Chuan and Luin Lam are among the 21 students and media industry professionals who have received MES study grants this year to pursue media-related undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Singapore or overseas.
MES is an initiative to build and nurture manpower capabilities in the media industry.
The three emerging talents, who hope to take their craft to another level and enrich their lives with new experiences abroad, share their dreams and journeys with eMediaFusion.
Telling Stories Through Sound
There’s an adage that goes: “It’s not the tools; it’s the carpenter.”
Sound designer Lim Ting Li firmly believes in that, and she makes sure her works aren’t just about sound-making, but also about storytelling.
The 25-year-old says: “As a sound designer for films, I look forward to interpreting the director’s vision, finding the most technically efficient way to solve problems and while doing so, adding my own flair.
“In this way, sound design is very much a cross between art and craft.”
She has garnered sound design stints with various Singapore films, including Boo Junfeng’s Sandcastle.
Ting Li discovered her love for sound design when she enrolled into the Film, Sound and Video department at Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic. After trying different jobs upon graduation, she fell into sound design as a career.
Now, Ting Li is in England pursuing a master’s degree in sound design at the National Film and Television School (NFTS).
Since she began her studies nine months ago, she has received intensive training but finds the working relationships and friendships made at NFTS even more invaluable.
“After all, film is a very collaborative medium,” she says.
Ting Li draws influence from British composer Mel Wesson, who blends music, sound design and atmosphere in his works. She says: “He pushes the boundaries of sound design. The title ‘ambient music designer’ has been specially coined to describe him.”
While Singapore hasn’t seen its own Mel Wesson yet, Ting Li hopes that homegrown productions and filmmakers will continue to emphasise on sound. “There are many talented sound designers in Singapore,” she says. “But their potential is not yet harnessed in local productions.”
She suggests: “If sound designers are invited to be involved from the early stage of the creative process, filmmakers will be surprised at how sound design can help kick things up a notch!”
