Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling through Mythology and Animation Creation

Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling through Mythology and Animation Creation

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Programme Overview

How did our world come to be? What is the origin of humankind? What caused the great flood that echoes across global mythologies, and how was it finally subdued?

This interdisciplinary course blends animated storytelling with digital humanities to explore ancient mythology. Utilizing both online and on-site teaching to offer a flexible and engaging learning experience, the course aims to merge traditional humanities research—literature, history, religion, and anthropology—with advanced animation techniques and visual narrative creation.

Drawing inspiration from a bestselling children’s book series, students will have the chance to create their own mythological tales and bring them to life through animation. These innovative projects may be showcased in international animated film festivals and/or competitions, providing a global platform for student creativity.

By the end of the courses, students will:

1. Understand Ancient Mythology: Analyze themes and cultural contexts of ancient myths.
2. Master Animation Techniques: Learn fundamental and advanced animation principles.
3. Integrate Humanities and Digital Art: Create narratives reflecting cultural heritage through animation.
4. Collaborative Project Development: Work effectively in teams to produce animated projects.
5. Present and Showcase Work: Develop a polished animated short suitable for film festivals.

Programme Details

• • • Programme Code: CET202502
    • Programme Period: June – August 2025
    • Targeted Students: Age 14 – 16 (Grade 8 to Grade 10, Secondary 2 to Secondary 4)
    • Programme Fee: Non-refundable application fee: HKD 60; Payment due 5 days after receiving offer letter
      • Non-members: HKD 53,000
      • Members: HKD 48,000
      • [Accommodation in HKU NOT included. See below for HKU accommodation fees]

Programme Structure

1. Online Foundational Learning (6 hours—4 hours in early June and 2 hours in late August):
   Students will master foundational animation techniques while exploring ancient mythology. This phase covers both cultural content and animation fundamentals, including:
   • Online lectures and discussions on ancient mythology.
   • Online lectures and tutorials covering fundamental animation principles and technique
2. On-site Culture Learning and Animation Creation (56 hours over 7 days during summer, July 21-28):
   This intensive on-campus experience focuses on applying knowledge and skills gained online to hands-on animation projects:
   • Days 1-3: Immersive lectures on mythological tales and creation myths, complemented by workshops on advanced animation technology
   • Day 4: HKU sessions on digital humanities.
   • Days 5-8: Collaborative project work where students create and present animated interpretations of ancient myths.

Deliverables

Online Phase: Complete two foundational animation assignments.

On-site Phase (56 hours):

• Animation and Research Portfolio:
  • Research Component: A research essay analyzing a chosen mythological tale, demonstrating understanding of cultural context and themes.
  • Animation Component: A 3-5 minute animated short film that interprets an ancient myth, showcasing animation skills and creativity.
  • Presentation Component: A presentation of the animated short, discussing the creative process, decisions made, and insights gained during the project.
• Festival Submission: The most innovative projects will be considered for screening at the prestigious SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in 2026.
• Research Opportunity: Standout teams will be invited to join research initiatives led by CMU university professors.

Programme Instructors:

• • • Johannes DeYoung (http://www.art.cmu.edu/people/johannes-deyoung/), Associate Professor of Electronic and Time-Based Media at Carnegie Mellon University, is an internationally recognized artist and filmmaker who works at the intersection of computational and material processes. His moving-image works have been exhibited internationally at venues such as: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Festival ECRÃ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan; B3 Biennale of the Moving Image, Frankfurt en Main, Germany; Hesse Flatow (Crush Curatorial), Jeff Bailey Gallery, Robert Miller Gallery, Interstate Projects, Eyebeam, and MoMA PS1 Print Studio, New York, NY; as well as numerous festival screenings in countries such as Australia, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

• • • Liu Gang (https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/modlang/about-us/filter/faculty/gang-liu.html) is a Teaching Professor of Chinese Studies at Carnegie Mellon University and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Department ofLanguages Cultures and Applied Linguistics. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA) in U.S.A.. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and two Master’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario and Beijing Language and Culture University. He designed and/or taught many interdisciplinary courses including “AI for Humanities: The Multi-dimensions of World Languages, Arts, and Cultures,” “Multimedia Narratives: Crafting Culture in the Digital Age,” “Story + Game Lab: Oracle Bones & China’s Earliest Writing,” “Immersive Digital Storytelling: Using VR/AR to Explore Language Culture Identity,” and “Interdisciplinary Exploration: Chinese Mythology and Animation Creation.” He co-edited/authored four books published by Peking University Press. He is also the author of the children’s book series Luoluo ting’s Adventure in Ancient Chinese Mythology.

Accommodation:

Summer Camp @HKU (July 21 – 28, 2025):

• • • Accommodation at HKU should be applied for separately in Spring 2025, and applicants must be at least 15 years old.
    • Applicants under 15 years old are required to arrange their own outside accommodation accompanied by a guardian.

HKU Accommodation Programme Code: ACC07

• • • HKU Hall of Residence.
      • Check-in date: July 20, 2025
      • Check-out date: July 29, 2025

Application and Registration

• • • Programme application link: (Application Guide) : https://actstudentapp.hku.hk/student

1. 1. Register an account through the link and log into the application system after receiving the email activation link. If you already have an account, you can log in directly.
   2. Select Apply Now under 2025 Application.
   3. Fill in your personal information, academic profile.
   4. At “Programme Selection” add programme “Culture x Technology: Digital Storytelling”.
   5. Upload scanned copies of the required supporting documents and other application materials, then select “Confirm & Submit”.

Application Criteria (Self-introduction video or Essay):

• • • One-minute self-introduction video (upload the link) OR
    • Short essay (300 words): Why you are an ideal candidate for this programme?

Application Deadline: May 31, 2025 (HKT 23:59)

*The programme is subject to cancellation if there are insufficient applications.

*Disclaimer: Programme contents and formats are subject to change. We will continue to work closely with professors to refine our programme and ensure that students will have a safe and enjoyable time. Programme fees and application fees are non-refundable.