Introduction
The International Film Production Workshop was organized by the Kenya Film Commission, the American Embassy and the Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild. Mickey Dickoff, a renowned film producer and director from USA was the main facilitator in the workshop. She was accompanied by a delegation from the American Embassy.
The Lake Victoria Film Maker’s Guild, through their chairman Mr. Akech Obat Masira, confirmed their interest in establishing a network with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in enhancing creativity and regional film development. The University was represented by a delegation of three from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. These were:
1. Lydia Anyonje Chairlady JMC
2. Jared Mudanya Technical Operator - 103.9 MMUST FM
3. Maureen Kaka Student JMC
The delegation from MMUST was registered with the Lake Victoria Film Makers Guild and Jared Mudanya was chosen as the contact person.
This workshop brought together professional film makers, bagging film makers, thespians, play writes, women’s groups, community workers, media students and youth groups. It also provided a platform for individuals to sell their film ideas to the facilitators, who offered professional advice on the best way forward.
Film director and producer Mickey Dickoff displayed her award winning films and documentaries which were used to provide content for discussion during the workshop. Some of her movies on display included Little too late, Mother mother, 2020, The blink of an eye, Our sons, Bushes’ deadly ambition, and Neshoba Trailer.
Key issues that were discussed.
Film production should be driven by the need to positively influence the society
It was noted that many film producers have their own interests at heart when making films. This dilutes the intended purpose of film-making which is to positively influence and change the society. Film production should be viewed in respect of the wider responsibility in society and not driven by the desire to make money. Film making must be guided by the interest of the society, and foster positive change. When producing documentaries, film makers have to research well and identify social issues that directly affect the society. Film producers were discouraged from having their central focus and priority on making moneys.
Films as vehicles of empowerment for marginalized groups in the society
Film makers should identify the marginalized groups in society and help empower them. This will provide a deeper understanding of the groups thus enhance their acceptance. These groups include minority groups such as the gay, lesbians, and HIV and AIDS victims and the affected families.
Justice and truth in documentaries
Production of documentaries is challenging especially when trying to unearth the truth about a particular story. Therefore, no matter how long it takes to find out the truth especially through interviews to build story inserts, film makers must always persist and highlight social injustices. The truth about any matter being investigated has to come out clearly.
Procedures for making good films / documentaries
Apt procedures for making films/documentaries were discussed. The following aspects were discussed in proper film-/documentary-making.
a) The idea – The film maker needs to have an idea that will guide the production process. The idea needs to be an issue of public interest.
b) Narrowing focus – After building on the idea, the film maker must narrow the focus of the idea by identifying the need to have the whole idea explored with minimal complication. This can be done when identifying tension, interesting character, conflict and resolution.
c) Story evaluation – The film maker needs to establish how many characters to use in the movie, develop articulate story building in the most interesting way and identify the uniqueness of the story.
d) Subject matter – The film producer needs to understand exactly what he/she intends to achieve using the film. The producer should also be able to come up with a single direction/angle in the movie to avoid bringing about a congestion of subjects in one idea thus ending up confusing the target audience.
e) Drama – Any film needs to have drama.
f) Structure – Film makers should find the right way to tell their story and build the plot of the story from the beginning to the end.
g) Visualization – Films have to be visual. Producers should figure out the complete story in their minds and see the story before shooting the film
h) Hook – A film maker has to make sure that any storyline in mind, before the real production starts, has a theme that will eventually make the story different from other stories done before. Producers must understand what relates to the people.
i) Accessibility – The film producer needs to identify his resourceful people. For example, for a documentary production, the producer must be able to access interviewees easily.
j) Budget – Film makers must be able to come up with a reasonable budget, putting in mind how funding for the project is to be obtained. Funding for production can be acquired through application for grants or proposal writing to NGOs to support production of the film.
k) Storyboard – The producer should identify how he/she wants the movie to be and merge different types of shots with the script in order to have a good transition in the story.
l) Shooting – The producer should think about the style and theme of the film and bring the subject into an environment that favours the film.
m) Post production – After taking the shots, the producer should edit the movie and apply the necessary transitions, video effects, sound effects and graphics.
Problems encountered in film/documentary production
i. Financing for movie production – Film production is costly and most film producers find it difficult to raise funds to support the transformation of their ideas for films. This has led to slow rate of film production and slow growth rate of the film industry in developing countries.
ii. Patent policies – In developing countries, film makers come up with rich ideas but when they seek assistance from established firms, their ideas are used without their consent. This has resulted in lack of credibility among producers which has led to desperation among smaller/upcoming producers.
iii. Use of movies for financial gain – A good number of film makers make movies for financial gain. This in turn undermines the content and impact of films to social economic development.
iv. Government policies – Some government policies in developing nations do not enhance the thriving of bagging film producers. Such policies inhibit the growth of such producers by making it hard for them to access shooting locations or even make follow-up on sensitive issues that highlight bad governance.
v. Culture – Some communities in developing countries are so reserved, making it almost impossible for film makers to explore and expose sensitive issues without fear of poor reception.
Suggested solutions
a) Courage – Film producers were encouraged to believe in themselves and strive to achieve that which they wish to pursue as long as it is for the benefit of the society.
b) Democracy – The governments in developing countries should be encouraged to provide incentives and conducive environment for film makers to access information. These governments should also embrace freedom of expression.
c) Persistence – For film makers to succeed, they should always find the truth and seek audience with their resourceful people. They should never accept a NO for an answer if they are requesting for interviews.
d) Financial proposals – In order to get financial assistance, a film producer needs to write a good transcript, synopsis and prepare a comprehensive story board to give weight to a well written proposal intended for an NGO. The vetting panel has to be convinced that the film is worth funding. Producers can also access www.Kickstart.com for film budget grants.
Emerging issues in the film industry
Technological advancements have made it so easy for film producers to work on tighter schedules by making film production process faster and easier. For example, Digital Post production equipment such as Avid, Final Cut, Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Dazzle Fusion and Pinnacle non-linear video editing suits have made video editing easier and faster.
Improvisation of equipment such as Dolly and Crane cameras can be done just in case affordability of such equipment is an impediment. For example a wheel chair can replace a rail camera movement.
Recommendations
a) Kenyans must stand up for the truth and tell their stories without fear. A culture of integrity needs to be tightly-knit into the societal fabric.
b) Any film maker must be acquainted to all the production steps i.e. Pre-production, Production and Post production stages.
c) As long as a producer has a good story for the film, any camera available can be used to tell the story. Sophisticated equipments are not a necessity in film production. Therefore being creative is imperative for any film producer to be prosperous.
Conclusion
The discussions during the workshop shed light on real life experiences in film production. This turned out to be a great inspiration to the bagging film makers and professional film producers. It clearly exposed the gap that exists on the level of freedom of expression in the developing countries compared to the United States of America. The issues and ideas that were discussed and shared during the workshop will go a long way in improving efficiency, professionalism and product quality in the film industry in Kenya.
Jared Mudanya
November 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment