For discussion FCR(96-97)32 on 28 June 1996

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND
HEAD 708 - CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Subventions - Miscellaneous
New Subhead "Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts - additional TV/film production facilities for the School of Technical Arts"

Members are invited to approve a commitment of $15,117,000 for the provision of additional television/film production facilities for the School of Technical Arts in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.



PROBLEM

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) does not have adequate facilities to cater for the needs of a new degree course in television/film which its School of Technical Arts will offer from September 1996.

PROPOSAL

2. We propose to construct a TV/film production laboratory, a TV/film viewing theatre and associated classrooms and workspace with equipment for the School of Technical Arts of the Academy.

JUSTIFICATION

3. Following Executive Council's approval in 1992 for the Academy to become a degree granting institution, the Television/Film Division of the School of Technical Arts has been making preparations for the introduction of a three-year degree programme in television/film. The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation (HKCAA) has validated the proposed course in early 1996 and the Academy plans to accept its first in-take of students in September 1996.

4. One of the conditions set by the HKCAA for the development of the degree course was to increase the teaching space and facilities in the School of Technical Arts. To meet the anticipated demand of the degree course students, the Academy has worked out the additional requirements to support the proposed programme with reference to the curriculum. It considers that a TV/film production laboratory and a TV/film viewing theatre are essential to allow visiting film makers and students to present their work on a large screen. It is also necessary to have additional associated workspace and classrooms with equipment as both practical production work and lectures would increase with the in-take of degree course students. The Academy requires funds for the construction and provision of these additional facilities in anticipation of the commencement of the course in September 1996.

5. The existing facilities of the Television/Film Division are at the Enclosure. The new construction work on the existing premises of the Academy will provide total additional floor area of 723m2. Construction is scheduled to commence in September/October 1996 and to complete in March 1997. Pending completion of the works, the degree course students will share the existing facilities with the non-degree course students.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6. The Director of Architectural Services estimates the project cost to be $15,117,000, made up as follows -

$'000

Construction

(a) Building and other structural works

1,500

(b) Architectural finishes and acoustic treatments

2,250

(c) Heating and ventilation plant

2,026

(d) Electrical installation

510

(e) Fire services installation

181

(f) Drainage

90

(g) Professional fees

689

Sub-total

7,246

Equipment

(h) Studio (cameras, recorders, etc.)

2,260

(i) Vision control (vision projector, vision player, lighting fixture, A/V signal processors and amplifiers, waveform monitor, etc.)

1,315

(j) On-line editing (digital editing system, editor controller, sound console, audio system, etc.)

1,932

(k) Furniture, computers and accessories

990

Sub-total

6,497

Contingency (10% of (a) to (k))

1,374

Total

15,117

7. Subject to Members' approval, we will phase expenditure as follows -

Year $'000

1996-97

14,528

1997-98

589


15,117

8. We have included sufficient provision in the 1996-97 Estimates for the capital cost of this project. We estimate that there will be an additional annually recurrent expenditure of $526,000 for specialist supplies and equipment, light and power, and general expenses.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

9. In May 1996, the Director of Environmental Protection completed an Environmental Review of the project and concluded that, given the nature, size and location of this project, its operation would have limited potential for adverse impacts on the environment. An Environmental Impact Assessment would not be necessary. The Academy will equip the new extension with sound proof system to enhance the internal noise environment. For short term impact during construction, the Academy will control noise, dust and site run-off to within established standards and guidelines through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures in relevant contracts.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

10. The Academy is a statutory body established in 1984 to foster and provide training, education and research in the performing arts and related technical arts. It comprises four Schools, namely, Dance, Drama, Music and Technical Arts. In July 1992, the Executive Council, on the recommendation of an institutional review of the Academy prepared by the HKCAA, approved that the Academy should become a degree granting institution with effect from September 1992, subject to the degree courses being accredited by the HKCAA. Currently, the Academy has been providing degree courses in dance, drama, music and technical arts (theatre). The HKCAA validated the proposed three-year degree course in television/film in early 1996.

Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Branch

June 1996


Enclosure to FCR(96-97)32

Current facilities of the Television/Film Division of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

(a) Television Studio
The Television Studio contains a fully operational 2 250 square foot sound stage equipped with an 18 foot high cyclorama, three Sony SP90 cameras, a Colortran Sound Boom Dolly, a Lighting Grid with 148 various luminaries arranged in 4 rows of self-climbing lighting hoists and 8 cyclorama lighting hoists.

(b) Vision Control Room
The Vision Control Room contains a GVG 250 Production Vision Switcher together with a rack of 13 colour monitors, a colour Prestige 2000 Plus lighting console, a Tektronix 1481R waveform monitor and CVM37 Barco colour monitor and a Sony 90 CCU remote control. In addition there is a range of VT recorders and players and a PC486 computer for character generation. For communications a Trilogy 410 intercom system has been installed.

(c)Sound Control Room
he Sound Control Room contains a Soundcraft Series 1600 Audio Mixer with 24 channels; a colour monitor for studio programme output and other support audio equipment.

(d)Classrooms
There are three dedicated classrooms for exclusive use for Division course work, each with a complement of overhead projectors, VCR's, laser discs player and video projectors. The Division also has a computer graphics lab as well as mobile computer work stations for classroom presentations with compatible video projection. The Division also makes use of general classrooms located throughout the Academy. More classroom space will be needed when the degree course is commenced.

(e) Video and Audio Postproduction
The Postproduction Facilities include 17 Off-line editing suites, a Non-linear Editing Suite with two Lightworks. Video Postproduction is equipped for Sony Betacam editing and audio Postproduction contains a 32 channel Soundcraft 16000 audio mixer, a Digital Sound Suite with MIDI and a Pro-Tool Digital Station. A Film Cutting Room is equipped with a 3 x 16mm 6 plate Steenbeck flatbeds.

(f) Field Equipment
The Division possesses a substantial amount of high end, mid-range and low-end loose equipment for field production at three different levels of sophistication consisting of 24 Camera Packages, 14 Lighting Kits and 14 Sound Kits.

(g) Screening facilities
The Division has a variety of video projection systems for both class and masterclass requirements. 16mm and 35mm screening facilities are not available and have to be obtained.


Last Updated on 2 December 1998