2003 ...

During the last week of October 2003, the Oumu Foundation sponsored a special introductory training event in Beijing. Renowned author and video editing expert, Michael Rubin, spent one day at each of four Oumu participating high schools, explaining camera use, organization, and basic editing concepts. Overcoming the language and cultural differences, the students were excited and motivated to try communicating with their American counterparts through video over the Internet.

Six students from each school were selected to participate in the Oumu Dajiang—or Oumu Awards Contest—on October 25th. With cooperation from Apple Computer China, teams of three were assembled, and students drew topics of daily life in Beijing (bicycle repair, shoe repair, games, and construction) from a hat. Over the next four hours each team scoured the neighborhoods around the Apple offices, shooting video on their topic and then returned to Apple to edit a two minute video.

In this remarkable international effort, students have gone from an initial introduction to video shooting and editing, to producing quality films for their student counterparts in the United States. Using cameras and computers donated by the Oumu Foundation, the students will continue their cultural exchange throughout the school year using video, still photography, and email.

View the 2003 “Dajiang” Videos
Best Motion Picture Quiet Corners Along the Noisy Street Beijing No. 171 Middle School, Team One
Best Director Mass Sports and Games Lu He High School, Team One
Best Cinematography Bike Repair Beijing No. 15 Middle School, Team Two
Best Visual Effects Street Game The High School Associated to People's University, Team Two
Best Documentary Shoe Repairing, The Beijing Style The High School Associated to People's University, Team One
Best Film Editing On the Way Beijing No. 171 Middle School, Team Two
Best Screenplay Socialist Construction in Beijing Lu He High School, Team Two
Best Sound Editing Ordinary People, Great Construction Beijing No. 15 Middle School, Team One