Esso Film & Video Course

Arusha, Tanzania / Mon 26th Oct - Sat 31st Oct 2009 with Katie Lincoln

Overview

There were twelve students on the course. I broke the group into a morning and afternoon session - two groups of six. They did a small bit of theory but most of the course was practical - out and about filming in Esso. Each student picked a different thing they wanted to film in their local area (see below).

I spent time explaining the basic filming terms and roles. I also spent time exploring with them the similarities and differences between movies and documentaries.

The course went very well. The students were hugely enthusiastic. I saw potential in a few of them, with some additional training in the use of the camera, as a source of employment. The camera is now being looked after by the Parish. The students shot 4.5 hours worth of material over the course of the week which I brought back to Ireland and will edit it in the next few months. If an editing suite was set up in Esso this footage should return there so the students can edit the material themselves.

What next?

Based on discussions with the students, Seamus and Fr. Mike, I think the next step should be to fundraise for an editing suite set up for the computer room in the Resource Centre in Esso. If this was set up, in addition to the camera (that is already there) all the equipment would be in place to make a video production from start to finish.

The next step would be to run a three or four month course that was specifically designed for generating income for the students who would take part. I would recommend starting with a ‘Wedding Videographers' course. This course would be run by professional media volunteers who would come and stay in Esso. These media volunteers would fundraise to pay their way to get to Esso and stay in the volunteer's house for the duration of their stay. Ideally, an experienced wedding videographer would run part of the course and an editor would also be crucial. The main emphasis on the course would be the editing / post production stage which would be completely new territory for the students.

The media volunteers would work with the students in shooting their first wedding and producing a DVD for the couple and their family - helping them through the process from initial meetings with the couple through to handing them the finished DVD's. The volunteers would also work with the students and the parish in deciding what the appropriate amount would be to charge for this service. The overall objective would be in making it into a sustainable business for a few individuals in Esso. Long term, these individuals should become the local trainers in video and run a course themselves thus making the venture self sustaining. Fr. Mike was suggesting a small donation paid by the students if a course is run.