A Scholarship in Media Studies is a big step in Rebecca Yuan’s filmmaking journey.

In 2021, Rebecca Yuan earned a Scholarship in Media Studies at the conclusion of Year 12. This topped off a year in which she was also named the Most Outstanding Talent in Film Production and the Best Overall Debater at the Hamilton Girls' High School Arts Awards. At the HGHS Senior prizegiving, Rebecca was also awarded the Haworth Cup as Top Achiever in Year 12 Mathematics and the Kearns Cup for Excellence in Year 12 English.

In 2022, she was named Hamilton Girls' High School Head Girl and in June she will attend New York University’s Online High School Filmmakers’ workshop. With these accomplishments Rebecca is ensuring that she can merge her passion for storytelling into her future professional career as a filmmaker.

Rebecca wasn’t able to take Media Studies in Year 11 due to timetable clashes so came to the subject in Year 12. That delay proved no obstacle. She quickly established her talent, and a drive that resulted in gaining an academic scholarship a year early.

“Rebecca is a talented young scholar and the credit for that scholarship sits with the young woman herself. Constantly on a quest for knowledge, Rebecca used self discipline and self-directed study - with some teacher guidance - to earn her scholarship,” explains Ms Brittany Kenny, Rebecca’s Media Studies teacher.

The scholarship exam featured three sections. The questions suited Rebecca well as she drew on knowledge and respect for award winning Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao Nomadland 2020, Eternals 2021 to explore themes of genre and representation.

Her interest around the industry’s effect on society, particularly the trade off or balance between profitability and authenticity, worked well for the question about the relationship between media and society.

The final part of the exam required Rebecca to discuss her experiences in media production and she was able to draw on her time with Chasing Time Productions, a New Zealand educationally focused company, for which Rebecca both acted and worked in continuity and assisting roles.

“I auditioned for an acting role with Chasing Time and when I went back to them later seeking more experience they offered me a role in continuity. They were long days, but lots of fun, constantly checking that the glass was filled to the same level for each shot, or the actor was holding it in the same hand,” Rebecca explains. “Every opportunity I’ve had, I’ve taken, supported by the teachers at HGHS. They have so much knowledge about the industry and have opened my eyes to all sorts of possibilities.”

Rebecca was born in New Zealand, both her parents came here when they were young but her grandparents are Chinese born. This heritage has been a significant inspiration for Rebecca’s developing interest in telling stories. Her accomplishments in debating also point to an ability to put forward different perspectives.

“I want to make films that present different perspectives. I want people to watch my films and see a new perspective and perhaps change the way that they think about cultures, privilege, other people. I believe I can do that by telling stories about, or at least based on, real people,” says Rebecca.

Watch this space! In the not too distant future cinemas will probably host a feature film from this driven and talented young woman.

This article was written by Arts Co-ordinator, Margot Rawlings. Thank you for your care and efforts with this great story.