We’re delighted to announce that the brand new Sparks Film School Sevenoaks is set to open for Summer 2025.
Joining our fantastic team of passionate media educators, Zach Au-Yeung is set to inspire young filmmakers as the new Head of our newest UK film school, Sparks Film School Sevenoaks.
We sat down with Zach to find out all about his passion for filmmaking, how he hopes to bring out the potential in the young filmmakers in Sevenoaks and his plans for Sparks Film School Sevenoaks in the future.
What do you find inspirational about youth filmmaking?
Studies show that learning filmmaking helps children and teenagers enhance cognitive and critical thinking, visual literacy, communication, teamwork, creativity, and technical skills. Embracing this all-rounded art form can significantly elevate their overall learning and communication abilities.
What can young filmmakers expect at Sparks Film School Sevenoaks?
Sparks Film School Sevenoaks will be a vibrant place for young filmmakers and animators, who want to develop creative skills and nurture a passion for film and media.
We’re busy preparing our programme for launch, and can’t wait to run some creative holiday programmes, where young people can make their first films with us. We also have a schedule of weekly classes planned, for people who would like to fully immerse themselves in their own film productions on a regular basis.
We have so many ideas, and can’t wait to get on set with our first production. Personally, I would love to make a musical or a thriller movie with my Sparks Film School students because I believe young kids’ imagination is limitless and it can be shown in their creative ideas.
Tell us a little bit about you
I graduated from the film program at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design in California, USA, and have been working as a cinematographer and director in the industry for nearly 30 years. Since 1998, I have also been involved in teaching cinematography, providing students with firsthand insights into industry trends and practical guidance on the “dos and don’ts” of filmmaking.
What’s your favourite film?
One of my favourite films is “The Tree of Life” directed by Terrence Malick.
The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is breathtaking, his naturalistic camera work captures the beauty of life in an almost dreamlike way, I was lucky enough to watch this film in the best screen in Los Angeles with 70mm film projection, the images are just stunning.
In terms of the story, I like the way Malick uses an unconventional and non linear way of editing to touch on the questions about existence, God and human suffering, it makes the film like an extended meditation, it’s just mesmerising!
What advice would you have for someone who wants to become a filmmaker?
- Find your passion, believe in it and embrace it in your creativity! And LOVE what you do!
- Be a trust worthy and reliable teammate
- Don’t be afraid to accept negative comment, if one person says you are wrong, that person may be wrong, if two people tell you you are wrong, they may be wrong, if three people agree that you are wrong, you may have to listen to them and re-evaluate your work.
- Always be on time and meet the deadline
- Learn your craft inside out.
- Come and say hello to our friendly team at Sparks Film School Sevenoaks!
What do you love about living in Sevenoaks?
What I like about Sevenoaks is its people and the environment. Most of the people I meet here are very sincere, making me feel safe and welcoming in this family friendly town. The area is clean and tidy and is surrounded by countryside beauty, the Knole Park is my favourite place to visit where I can enjoy the nature.
Though it’s a very small theatre, the Stag Theatre regularly hosts live performances and shows first run movies and you can often find me there! There are also seasonal concerts held in different places, the one that I like is the concert at the Stonepitt Farm, where families can have fun singing and dancing freely at the event.
Find out more about Sparks Film School Sevenoaks
Sparks Film School Sevenoaks is set to launch in 2025.
Find out more about their upcoming classes and register for a free trial class here >>
