Allie Mills ’13 (MFA, Kanbar, Film) shares with us her second year shoot based in Singapore.
What were some of the challenges that you faced and what are you most satisfied about the shoot?
For this film, we had the opportunity to shoot in some very unique locations including Changi Airport, a private airport in front of a stationary DC-40 airplane, and at a local hotel. These locations presented some challenges for shooting because we had never really shot in these situations before. I really had to work with my Director of Photography, Erica Liu ’13 (MFA, Kanbar, Film), and the rest of the crew to adapt to each new setting and utilize it to it’s fullest potential. We shot at four locations in six days which was difficult but ultimately kept everything fresh and exciting and made for a successful shoot. In Singapore, the rain can be difficult to deal with as well. We were able to adapt some of our exterior scenes to use the rain to create a specific tone that ended up supporting the overall mood of the film.
I’m really happy with the shoot overall. The cast and crew worked so hard and really came together to create a singular vision and style for the film. In addition, we had a ton of support from both the Tisch community and the Singapore community along the way that was invaluable. I’m very excited about how well everything came together and it was really exciting to see the project come to life after several months of writing and redrafting. 
What is your direction after you graduate from Tisch Asia?
After graduating from Tisch Asia, I’d like to pursue a career in writing or cinematography. I love working on set and collaborating with others and I’m passionate about working with all of the elements that help to create the visual style for a film. I enjoy every aspect of the creative process from writing, to shooting, to editing because anything really is possible with film. I’ve also taken an interest in sound and sound design and I’m interested in possibly pursuing a career as a foley artist as well.
What have you learnt from Tisch Asia that has helped you so far?
New York University Tisch School of the Arts Asia has really helped hone my skills in every aspect of the filmmaking process. I’ve been able to focus in on each individual component from writing, to directing, to cinematography, to editing because we have an intensive class on each subject which has made me a stronger filmmaker overall. In addition, studying in Singapore has helped me take a more global approach to the filmmaking process and has helped me connect with people and stories from many different walks of life that has been incredible.
