Voices (ISL Stories)

Meet Michael Wang

Today, we will introduce you to Michael, a versatile educator and filmmaker with fourteen years of teaching experience. At ISL, he teaches Grade 9-10 Film and Media Elective and IB Film for Grades 11-12. Michael is also the author of two picture books, "Liam, The Brave" and "A Stray," and is dedicated to creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at ISL?

I’m Singaporean and have a lovely family, which motivates all of what I do. I’ve been teaching for fourteen years, but it’s my first time abroad. I was previously at United World College, SEA, and enjoyed my time there, but my kids weren’t able to attend the school because they were Singaporean, so I’m very happy to finally be able to contribute to an ecosystem that my kids are a part of. I teach the Grade 9 – 10 Film and Media Elective, and IB Film at Grade 11 – Grade 12.

What did you do prior to working at ISL, and what brought you to our school?

Some of this is answered in question 1, but besides teaching, I also used to do commercial work in Singapore as a filmmaker. I did some fun projects, creating visual backdrops for fashion shows. I also did a creative project of my own, each year. My most meaningful piece of work were two picture books that I wrote for each of my kids: Liam, The Brave and A Stray.

Michael's books, "Liam, The Brave" and "A Stray"


What does your typical day look like, especially when engaging with students in film and media studies?

I take my morning advisory and usually go back-to-back with the classes. The great thing about film classes is that there’s no one thing that happens; you can be breaking Celery sticks in one class to create the sound of bones breaking or sitting at your computer, editing, or taking a portrait to learn about lighting. I don’t like “typical” days. When days get “typical”, then I feel like I need to do something different. I imagine that if I end up in purgatory, every day will be typical.

What do you love most about your work at ISL?

I love the students and how every one of them is different and are willing to put a piece of themselves out there for the world to experience by coming to school; in film, we try to capture some of that individuality in their work.

I love working with my colleagues, who share the same desire to help students on their individual journey.

I get asked a lot whether I miss being in film, or whether I want to be in film all the time and my answer is that I am in film, and I would not trade being on a film set with being in a classroom teaching film.

Can you tell us more about the film and media studies program at ISL and its goals?

The IB Film course is pretty clear about what has to be produced; it’s an even split between film production and film studies. Students have the choice of choosing between the five film roles: writer, director, editor, sound designer, cinematographer, but are also able to explore one other role; for example, I’ve a student reflecting as a make-up artist this year.

The Grade 9 course is more geared towards the Media Arts where students do a variety of exercises to explore their own creative voice. For example, students do a self-portrait activity where they’ve to take a photo of themselves in their bedroom. They also work towards a Pop-up Media Arts Exhibition where they’ve to produce a 1.5-minute piece of Visual work with accompanying sound design with a theme that’s decided by the class.

The Grade 10 course is a course I introduced at UWCSEA, my previous school, where students learn about film through six concepts: texture, structure, surrounding, depth, motion, contrast. Students determine their final assessment but have to demonstrate their understanding of one of these concepts in a film role.

What do you think is unique about ISL?

I like the work culture. I feel that teachers here want to work and also want to enjoy life, spend time with their kids and do what fills their bowl. I feel like I’ve the freedom to do my best. I feel the school genuinely wants to be progressive for the child while thinking about the teachers as well. The mission of facilitating the flourishing of children can only happen if the environment allows the teachers to flourish too.

How do you incorporate current trends and technologies in the film and media industry into your curriculum?

I don't think this is something consciously done but happens naturally in my subject because film often reflects trends, so when we discuss a film like Poor Things, we draw parallels with the visuals that we see in the news; when we look at William Wegman's work with Weimaraners, we consider TikTok trends involving dogs and discuss ethical issues about animal agency.

What are some of the most important skills a student should acquire today?

Extraction from the digital world; immersion into the literary universe. It is important for students to use digital devices less and read more.

How do you define the success of a student in both academics and their creative endeavors in film and media?

Success depends on whether a student has put in genuine effort into their work to explore a way to express themselves; it also depends on whether a student is happy in that journey of expressing themself. The film students organise a graduation film screening and I find that to be an important moment that demonstrates their success because they've worked towards completing a film and they present it in front of people who are special to them.

Please describe ISL in five words.

I just have four words: It feels like home.

  • Staff Member