Learning the Art of Storytelling Through Film with director Bob Judson and Dr. Ta Bich Loan

On the afternoon of November 27, 2024, at the Võ Nguyên Giáp Auditorium, students of Hanoi School of Business and Management (HSB) had the opportunity to meet and learn with two special guests: American filmmaker Bob Judson and Dr. Tạ Bích Loan, in workshop “STORYTELLING – CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COUNTRIES.”

Bob Judson is a professional in journalism and filmmaking. He has been involved in numerous projects across television and cinema, including notable names like National Geographic, the Olympics, and Sony. During the session, he shared valuable insights with HSB students, especially those in the MAC program, regarding the challenges in filmmaking, the search for support, and the importance of securing funding for independent projects.

Judson shared that one of the major obstacles filmmakers faces is financial resources. Many young filmmakers who wish to play their products on public broadcast often face significant costs and sometimes cannot make profit from advertising. This is where they must seek funding from major investors, people who have good financial resources to bring their work to a broader audience. And this is also Judson’s goal, he want to create a program that helps students understand how to craft compelling stories through their films, while also providing a network to help them build and promote their projects effectively.

A Vietnam War veteran, Bob Judson has a deep connection to Vietnam. He always respect history, remembering the loss of both countries by war. This personal connection inspired him to create films that authentically tell the stories of that time and the painful struggles that Vietnam endured.

Judson and his team produced a trilogy of documentaries about the Vietnam War: ‘Remembering Vietnam,’ ‘Return to Vietnam,’ and ‘Vietnam: Aftermath and Redemption.’ All three films received critical acclaim, Judson hopes his work will become a way to preserving memory and promoting peace, understanding, and reconciliation between generations, ensuring history becomes a valuable lesson for the future.

Joining Bob Judson was Dr. Ta Bich Loan, a journalist and editor from Vietnam Television. Dr. Bich Loan has hosted and edited several well-known TV programs, such as The Road to Mount Olympia, We Are Soldiers, and The Contemporary Person.

With her vast experience in television editing and direction, she provided students with a clear understanding of how to approach storytelling. She emphasized key elements that contribute to a compelling narrative, such as context, character, goal, conflict, and effort. Of these, ‘character’ was highlighted as the most important factor, as character development drives the story forward and creates an emotional connection with the audience.

In addition to ‘character,’ both Dr. Loan and Mr. Judson discussed the importance of ‘conflict’ in storytelling. Conflict is the driving force that propels the narrative, creating suspense and keeping the audience engaged. It leads to decisions, actions, and changes in character development, making the story more profound and thought-provoking.

From the insights shared by both experts, the audience came to understand the crucial role of storytelling. Every film or media product needs a solid story at its core, as the story is the soul of the work. A well-crafted narrative not only captivates the viewer but also effectively conveys powerful messages, evokes emotions, and fosters a deep connection between the audience and the content.

In the near future, Bob Judson will soon release a new documentary titled “Legacy of Peace,” which addresses the responsibility and efforts of the United States in dealing with the aftermath of the war in Vietnam through Project RENEW. The film will be available on various online streaming platforms and will offer new perspectives on the Americans returning to Vietnam to promote powerful messages of peace, connection, and international responsibility in addressing the consequences of war.

The workshop provided HSB students with a deeper artistic perspective on storytelling in film and media. Through the insights of Bob Judson and Dr. Tạ Bích Loan, students not only learned the basic techniques of crafting engaging stories but also understood the importance of establishing an emotional connection with the audience. The valuable lessons on conveying messages, developing characters, and building conflict will serve as useful tools for HSB students as they embark on their creative journeys and produce high-quality media products in the future.