It took a while but we have finally started. On a Tuesday afternoon in September the whole crew came together at the Espaço Ibiss in Vila Cruzeiro. No ceremonial stuff, we got right to work. In our first workshop cinematographer Don started explaining the basics of filming with a mini-DV camera. Don was one of the founders of Nós do Cinema, an organization which offered courses and job opportunities in films to kids from favelas to raise social consciousness through film. This is exactly what we are doing in Vila Cruzeiro. Don has recently started his own production company called Clandestino Filmes. He still likes to teach young people the art of filmmaking. It’s a pleasure working with him.
These coming weeks will be filled with workshops in filming, scripting and editing. Joost, my friend and colleague from the NOS came all the way from Amsterdam to teach editing. In his own words: ”Making a documentary is fifty percent filming and fifty percent editing.” It’s great to see how fast Mayra, Eduardo, Diogo and Luis pick up on new techniques!
Unfortunately our workshops are sometimes a bit overshadowed by flying bullets. It can happen that we have to duck and wait for the shootings between the police and the tráfico to end. Even though we are safely inside the Espaço Ibiss. You never know where a stray bullet might land. But Joost, Diogo and Eduardo took the opportunity to edit some more. On the floor.
The start of our workshops wasn’t the only highlight this month. Noucky has done a more than excellent job in designing our website. Thanks a million! It looks great and so are you! Also many thanks for Marah for writing the content. The crew misses you and send you tons of beijos. A little sad moment was Joost flying back to Amsterdam. It was great having you and all of your zeros and ones here. Volta logo meu irmão!
