Recently, Mr. Olivier Lorelle, a renowned French screenwriter, was invited to visit JAI. A two-time Oscar nominee and winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, Mr. Lorelle engaged in in-depth exchanges with faculty and students through screenwriting workshop, thematic lecture, and roundtable discussion during his visit. He shared cutting-edge creative concepts, delivering a high-caliber feast of cinematic guidance for all attendees.
This event aimed to inspire students to create works that integrate national characteristics with global appeal, while also building a bridge for cultural exchange between Eastern and Western film industries. It sought to broaden the international perspectives of faculty and students and elevate their filmmaking expertise.
Screenwriting Workshop: Guided Breakthroughs
The five-day screenwriting workshop garnered widespread attention across JAI. After a rigorous selection process, 50 authors of outstanding scripts from the "Youth Cup" Screenplay Competition were invited to participate. Under Mr. Lorelle’s one-on-one mentorship, these students refined their scripts in terms of story outlines, character development, and conflict design, guided by his philosophy of "forward-thinking and internationalization." The workshop received unanimous praise for significantly enhancing the quality of the scripts.
Workshop Scene
Thematic Lecture: The Three Essentials of Storytelling
From a unique perspective blending philosophy and screenwriting, Mr. Lorelle systematically explored the roles of conflict, desire, and suspense in storytelling. Beginning with the history of drama, he proposed three essentials for creation: core actions that drive the narrative, clear and unwavering narrative pathways, and intense conflicts that propel the plot.
Lecture Scene
Comparing suspense techniques in commercial and art films, he advised screenwriters to leave room for imagination, stating, "Not every detail needs to be explicitly explained; audiences enjoy figuring out the plot themselves." He also encouraged students to break free from traditional frameworks: "Ancient Greek tragedy laid the foundation for drama, and Hollywood standardized these rules. But we must not be entirely confined by them. True creation is a collision of emotion and reason."
Roundtable Discussion: Filmmaking in a Global Context
Mr. Lorelle and faculty members discussed the integration of global expression and local culture. He emphasized that films are both reflections of regional culture and a universal language for human emotion. He outlined three traits of outstanding films in a global context: clear themes, concise narratives, and powerful cross-cultural resonance. Using the Chinese myth "Ne Zha’s Flesh-Cutting Return to His Parents" as an example, he stressed the importance of rigorous logical chains and the essence of conflict in storytelling. Addressing AI’s role in filmmaking, he stated, "AI is merely a tool; it cannot replace human experiences of joy and sorrow." Comparing French and American film education, he advocated for innovation while maintaining reverence for classical works and traditions.
Roundtable Scene
As Mr. Lorelle remarked, "Film is a borderless language. Every creation should be an adventure into the unknown." Jilin Animation University remains committed to its "open and international" ethos, nurturing a new generation of filmmakers to tell compelling Chinese stories to the world. Moving forward, the university will continue to foster global exchanges, empowering students to stay at the forefront of the industry and create exceptional cinematic works.
