17. 04. 2023
As an intern with electriclime°, Harrison Bo Born worked on several projects both on set and in the editing suite.
The Singapore-based filmmaker is an up-and-coming editor and creative, and recently shot a film at the Puttnam School of Film and Animation called The Scent of Eucalyptus Oil.
We spoke to Harrison about his time with electriclime°, his film and what he wants to achieve in the industry.
Tell us about your project and your role in it
I took the role of Director of Photography and Colourist for our thesis film titled The Scent of Eucalyptus Oil. The film tells about long-simmering tensions that resurface when the daughter returns home to her single mother after studying overseas. The pair confronts their estranged relationship, scarred by an old wound.
Where did the inspiration for ‘Scent of Eucalyptus Oil’ come from?
The Scent of Eucalyptus Oil was directed by Angel Shu Shi Qi and also co-written by her and Song Zhi Yi (Dan) – the film was inspired by her relationship with her father and many of the tensions between the mother and daughter mirrored Angel’s interaction with her father on many different levels. Although the story is interpreted through one family, I think it is a story that is relatable to many Asian families.
You had several roles in the production, what was the most difficult and most enjoyable part of the process?
I feel that production was a stage where I find it very difficult but enjoyable at the same time. Difficult because we have to be very strict on our schedule, and had to push ourselves to overtime as we constantly try to bring out the best of everything in the frame – composition, lighting, down to the performance. But I find it very rewarding as well – executing everything that the team had discussed and planned for quite extensively. Being able to see all our hard work come to reality has its own enjoyment to it.
What did you learn from your time at electriclime° as an intern?
Proper organisations and the importance of branding were some aspects that I learned from my time working as an Intern at Electriclime. It has helped me be more responsible in how I manage assets for projects, as well as help me be more efficient about doing work. I was very grateful when I had the chance to lead a number of sit-in editing sessions with the client as I learned to be quick and efficient while making edits on the spot. As I helped as an assistant producer, I learned the ropes on how to plan out and make sure the shoot goes as smooth as possible as a team. Through this, I was also exposed to the amount of preparations needed for a large scale shoot – definitely was a good experience to expect what to come in the future.
What are you hoping to move into once graduating from Puttnam School of Film and Animation?
I am hoping to be able to dive deeper into camera and lighting – as I feel that these are the areas where I excel and I love to do. I hope that as I sharpen my skill and my awareness of this craft, I would be able to evoke emotions through cinema and tell stories that speak to a personal level for many people to enjoy.
