Creating for IASAS Film with TAS

By Sebastien R., '24
Fall Communications Intern

As a student of film, TAS has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of storytelling and visual artistry. Whether you are interested in writing, directing, producing, or any other aspect of film production, the TAS Film program can help you develop your skills and knowledge. Ever since Grade 9, I have taken a film class every year. I enjoy film because it allows me to experience stories and emotions in a way that is uniquely powerful and immersive. I also love the way that film can be used to explore and examine complex themes and ideas, and to shed light on important issues and perspectives. Whether it's through compelling storytelling, stunning visuals, or thought-provoking ideas, film has the power to inspire, educate, and entertain.

IASAS Film is one of the opportunities TAS provides its film students to experience the world of film beyond the classroom. IASAS, the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools, is an organization of Southeast Asia schools that holds sports, academic, and cultural conventions every year. Prior to the IASAS Film conference, each team creates and submits a short film on a particular theme.

This year, the prompt for IASAS Film was the word “Pamana." Pamana is a Filipino word that symbolizes heritage, inheritance, and legacy. As students, we had the option to interpret the prompt however we wanted to. For my group, the planning process was quite rough. After brainstorming, it was really hard to single out an idea. At first, we stuck to an idea but later realized that it didn’t really relate to the prompt and that we had to let go of it, even though most group members wanted to go forward with it. As a result, with the pressure of time on our backs, we had to quickly come up with an alternative version of the original idea that connected more with the prompt.

Our final idea was centered around the concept of finding family beyond one’s bloodline. The original idea contained lots of comedic aspects, and although we couldn’t move forward with that idea, we still wanted to insert comedy into our film. Our film was about a person who sees his second family in a group of students who, just like the protagonist, are rejected by society due to their unique characteristics.We would have to film the entire project at the IASAS tournament and bring this story to life 

Finally, on November 9, 2022, after many years of not being able to travel to other IASAS schools due to the pandemic, we packed our bags and boarded a flight to Manila, Philippines. IASAS Film 2022 was held at the International School of Manila where passionate film students from all 6 schools in the IASAS conference gathered for a fun, collaborative, and engaging film experience.

Over the course of 3 days, we created another short film in groups with other film students from other schools in under 48 hours and attended workshops varying around topics from freelance filming to the financial aspects of the film industry. Additionally, we viewed an award-winning feature film, Leonor Will Never Die, which was centered around the lively ambiance of Manila and the director’s relationship with cinema. 

On the last day, we also watched an inspiring documentary called Delikado which was about a group of environmental activists who risk their lives on a daily basis in an effort to stop politicians and businessmen from exploiting their island’s natural resources.The documentary was a story of courage and resilience which hopes to empower others into taking action toward taking on corporations and ones in power that ignorantly and continuously destroy the environment for their own profit. Personally, this documentary left a tremendous impact on me emotionally and it really exemplified the power of film and its ability to influence others in a profound way.

While the IASAS Film competition only lasts for a long weekend, the impact that studying film at TAS has made a huge difference in how I see myself and my education, allowing me to see the world through the lens of a creative storyteller in more ways than one.