USC Teams With Far East Filmmakers

Above photo: (From left) Zhong Dafeng, H.K. Chang and Elizabeth Daley formally establish their schools' trilateral alliance.

Originally published on July 9, 2004 in USC Chronicle and USC News and Features

The USC School of Cinema-Television, the City University of Hong Kong’s School of Creative Media and the Beijing Film Academy signed a trilateral agreement July 5 to promote academic exchange and collaboration.

The partnership aims to train students for creative industries in all three markets. "Creative industries" refers to industries that are particularly reliant on creativity, such as film and television production, computer animation and Web design.

Education and training are an integral part of the rapid development of such industries, according to a story released by the City University of Hong Kong, whose president, H.K. Chang, spearheaded the pact.

“Through this tripartite partnership, we hope to gain a greater understanding of China and the region,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, dean of the USC School of Cinema-Television, in the City University of Hong Kong release.

“We’d like to share with you what we’ve learned over the last 75 years and look forward to participating in positive globalization through our collaboration,” Daley said.

At the signing ceremony were Dean Daley; Richard Jewell, associate dean of academic affairs at the USC cinema-TV school; professor Zhong Dafeng, dean of the International School of the Beijing Film Academy; City University of Hong Kong President Chang; and professor David Tong of CityU’s School of Creative Media.

The USC School of Cinema-Television has been working closely with City University’s School of Creative Media for the past few years in developing and overseeing the latter’s curriculum.

“CityU is proud to have attracted the attention of the Beijing Film Academy and the University of Southern California to Hong Kong, thanks in part, to Hong Kong's unique positioning and, in part, to the energy and achievements of our staff and students,” Chang said.

“I am gratified to ally the three schools in a 'win-win-win' situation. This situation probably will be expanded to other fields in the near future."

The Beijing Film Academy was established in 1950. Its alumni include directors Zhang Yimou (“Raise the Red Lantern”) and Chen Kaige (“Farewell My Concubine”). CityU’s School of Creative Media was established in 1998.