Zen-Mind Filmmaking
An Experiment. A Movement. A Methodology.
Inspired by Zen Buddhism, filmmaker-educator-researcher Tzang Merwyn Tong experimented with a new approach to filmmaking using concepts of minimalism, non-attachment and being in here and now to reinvent the practice. ​
Background
Zen-Mind Filmmaking is a minimalist experimental film movement developed by Singapore artist-educator-award winning filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong. The experiment is born out of the awareness that the filmmaking practice is becoming increasingly entangled, conditional, dependent and sacrificial, leading to fatigue and burn out of filmmakers.
Tzang wondered how films can be made without the dependence and entanglements from excessive conditions. Inspired by Zen Buddhist philosophy, he developed a methodology that embraces minimalism, non-attachment and being in the here and now, and penned a set of parameters in a Manifesto. He then conducted 2 cycles of experiments with four young filmmakers, each creating a film within the Zen-mind parameters listed in the Manifesto.
The Zen Mind Filmmaking Method has been presented at academic conferences in Glasgow, Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong, and the Zen-Mind Film Experiments have gained attention at film festivals in Prague, Athens, Tokyo, and the Philippines.
It is discovered that films made within parameters of the Zen-Mind method allow for a more direct relationship between filmmaker and film, making filmmaking a mindful practice. The Zen-Mind Filmmaking method also lets the filmmaker to tap into modes of openness and serendipity in filmmaking, resulting in films that are more personal, intuitive and introspective.
The experiment is currently being introduced to schools and film communities worldwide. Tzang hopes to introduce this experiment, movement and methodology to film communities worldwide, much like how Dogme95 and French New Wave was a movement.
Zen-Mind Film Movement
@zenmindfilm
"Zen is about coming back to the center.The center of filmmaking is storytelling with the moving image."
- Tzang Merwyn Tong
Key Aspects of Zen-Mind Filmmaking
1. Inspired by Zen Philosophy:
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Focuses on mindfulness and presence in the creative process.
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Encourages making films in the "here and now" without attachment to outcomes.
2. Alternative Minimalist Approach:
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Prioritizes simplicity and minimalism in film production.
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Emphasizes energetic expression over complex technicalities or elaborate setups.
3. Mindfulness Practice:
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Integrates mindfulness practices into the filmmaking process.
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Accepting the "as-is" nature of situations
4. Practicing Non-Attachment:
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Aims to create films free from conventional constraints and entanglements.
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Favouring intuition over excessive planning
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Encourages letting go of preconceived notions or attachments to success or recognition
Media
Recent and Ongoing Presentations
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On Not Knowing: How Artists Teach Conference,
Glasgow School of Art -
15th Asian Conference on Education, IAFOR Tokyo
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Conceptual Practice Forum, Hang Seng University, Hong Kong
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Channel News Asia 938 FM, Culture Club, Singapore
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Klook Wellness Weekend, Singapore
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LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore
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Liberating the Alternative Filmmaker from Entanglement,
International Conference, Punk Scholars Network, Paris -
Prague International Film Award, Czech Republic
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Bakunawa Fantastic Film Festival, The Philippines
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Singapore Film Society Blog, Singapore
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About the Researcher
Tzang Merwyn Tong is a Singapore-based filmmaker, educator, and independent researcher. He is the director of Faeryville, Singapore's first dystopian teen movie, which was selected for Netflix, and is an alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Campus. His films have received awards and festival acclaim at Rotterdam, Montreal, Tel Aviv, Lund, and Los Angeles. He was recently recognised by the South China Morning Post as one of five directors shaping modern Asian cinema. He also served as a jury member at the 7th Ha Noi International Film Festival, 2024.
Tzang has taught at various educational institutions, including Nanyang Technological University, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and ITE, and has guest lectured at Yale-NUS and LASALLE College of the Arts. He currently teaches Visual Storytelling and Film Appreciation at Republic Polytechnic’s School of Technology for the Arts, Media and Design. He is also the founder and festival director of First Shot(s) — a platform for first-time filmmakers and cross-cultural creative exchange.
He is now an active independent researcher with a passion for storytelling and creative education. His research interests include courage in filmmaking, media arts for wellness, mindfulness in education, and interdisciplinary learning.
As leader of the Zen-Mind Filmmaking movement,
Selected Presentations
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Selected Presentations
Tzang, M.T. (2023). Zen-Mind Filmmaking – A Pedagogical Approach to Liberate Filmmakers from Conditions and Entangled Dependence. Presented at The 16th Asia Conference on Education – as part of the Innovative & Interdisciplinary Teaching in Practice Panel, organized by The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), November 25, Tokyo, Japan
Tzang, M.T. (2023). Zen-Mind Filmmaking: A Pedagogical Approach using Uncertainty in the Flux to capture the Time-Image. Presented at On Not Knowing: How Artists Teach Conference 2023 – as part of the Unfinishing Things: Teaching in the Flux Panel, organized by The Glasgow School of Art, June 9-10, 2023, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Tzang, M.T. (2023). From Punk to Zen: Liberating the Alternative Filmmaker from Entanglements. Presented at Horizons of Punk 2023 Conference, as part of the Punk and Pedagogy Panel, organized by Gustave Eiffel University June 8, 2023, Paris, France.
Tzang, M.T. (2023). Zen-Mind Filmmaking: A Pedagogical Approach to make the Practice of Filmmaking more mindful and in-the-present. Presented at Conceptual Practice: Research and Pedagogy in Art, Design, Creative Industries and Cultural Heritage International Conference, organized by The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, May 1, 2023, Hong Kong.
Tzang, M.T. and Zulkifli, M.A. (2022). Abang Garde: A Transdisciplinary Journey into the representation of Malay traditional music and an investigation into tradition. Presented at Interdisciplinarity: Creative Education Futures, Online Symposium organized by the School of Art, November 2, 2022, RMIT University, Australia.
Liew, K.K. and Tzang, M.T. (2022). X’Ho’s punkdom in the Illiberal State: The legacy of Chris Ho (1954-2021) in Singapore’s alternative music formations. Presented at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, July 5-9, 2022, Daegu, Korea.
Zulkifli, M.A. and Tzang, M.T. (2022). Journey into Abang Garde: An Interdisciplinary Investigation into Traditional Music. Presented at Arts in Education Forum (AEF) 2022: Nurturing Creative Citizens for an Unknown Future, organized by School of the Arts (SOTA), May 30-31, 2022, Singapore.
The Zen-Mind Film Experiments
The Verge (4.18 min)
by Darshan Kunasagran
A woman stands at the edge of a roof garden contemplating suicide
only to meet another person there to do the same. (Drama, Black Comedy)
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Useless (4.18 min)
by Syafiq Fadzelli
A lethargic young man works to overcome depression. (Video Diary)
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The Cell (5.54 min)
by Zach RS Ho
An internet famous video streamer has an unexpected encounter with
a fan too willing to share his story. (Drama)
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The Rehearsal (8min)
by Mattheaus Choo
An actor returns home from a film rehearsal only to discover weird
occurrences at home. (Thriller, Experimental)
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All four films are made according to rules as defined in the Zen-Mind Filmmaking Manifesto that embraced concepts of minimalism, non-attachment and being in the here-and-now.
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