Marketing Video at Ghana Event

December 1, 2015 by

01.Bruce Skype

ACCRA, Ghana, 26 November 2015 — On the fourth day of our five-day Backpack Video Workshop, we Skyped with Internet marketer Bruce Jones from Boston, Massachusetts. For years, Bruce has been advising entrepreneurs how to build an online presence to connect with and expand communities, how to make an impact — and how to make money.
I think the workshop participants really got a lot out of his presentation, which he put together after a Tuesday Skype session during which he gathered comments and information from participants regarding their objectives with the workshop and with the craft.
(Photos by Bill Gentile)

02.Bruce Skype

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“Forest Weeps” to Ghana Event

December 1, 2015 by

05.Forest Weeps

ACCRA, Ghana, 25 November 2015 — On this, the third day of our five-day Backpack Video Journalism Workshop, I shared my latest video report from the Ecuadorian Amazon. “When the Forest Weeps” examines how Ecuador’s Kichwa Indians struggle as their deep spiritual relationship with the Amazonian rain forest diminishes in a clash with the forces of so-called modernity. It is a story not unlike the clash between the traditional way of life in many areas of Africa and the forces of so-called modernity impacting lives across the continent.
To see the film, go to my blog at www.billgentile.com.
(Photo by Bill Gentile)

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Backpack Video to Ghana Market

December 1, 2015 by

01.Della

ACCRA, Ghana, 25 November 2015 — I spent part of the day at a market in Accra, with participants in my Backpack Video Journalism Workshop. In the red and green dress, Della Russel ClassPee shoots video on one of the busy pathways that crisscross this hot and bustling market. Another participant, Senyuiedzorm Awusi Adadevoh, shoots a fabric shop whose business is threatened by cheap, Chinese copies. These “informal” markets are much the same around the world. Many people struggling for economic survival in the countryside come to the cities and sell whatever they can. It’s a tough place to work, and outsiders making pictures of the laborers here are sometimes not completely welcomed, as you can see from the stares that Kwamee Kwame gets as he shoots some still photos.
(Photos by Bill Gentile)

02.SA shooting

03.Kwamee shoots

04.group

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Backpack Video Workshop to Ghana

November 28, 2015 by

01.Sara Stealy

ACCRA, Ghana, 23 November 2015 — Sara Stealy, Press Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, addresses participants, hosts and special guests at the opening session of my Backpack Video Journalism Workshop in the Ghanaian capital. Nicholas Derry, Director at the Ministry of Communications, delivers the opening address. Participants begin the first session.
The five-day workshop is sponsored by the African Centre for Development Reporting (ACEDEV), a small non-profit based in Ghana. It is funded by the U.S. Embassy here.
(Photos by Bill Gentile)

02.Sachibu

03.class

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Upriver

July 9, 2015 by

female pilot cu

BOBONAZA RIVER, Ecuador, 29 June 2015 — On the journey to the indigenous region of Sarayaku deep in the Ecuadoran Amazon, I took a five-hour canoe ride down the Bobonaza River. I saw dozens of canoes, run mostly by male “pilotos” and “punteros” (pilots and pointers.) A female pilot was somewhat of a rarity. This woman and her passengers were fighting their way upriver, quite an ordeal when the river is low for lack of rain.

Sarayaku is an autonomous region of this South American country. There, Kichwa Indians for decades have resisted the advances of the Ecuadorian government and foreign corporations to allow oil drilling and “development” in their homeland. This is why both the inhabitants of the region as well as the Ecuadorian government consider it the “epicenter” of resistance.

The trip to Sarayaku is especially timely because of the Vatican’s recent encyclical defending the environment and the poor. Pope Francis on Sunday 5 July landed in Ecuador on the first stage of a three-country visit to South America, bringing with him the Vatican’s message of concern for society’s most defenseless and the world they live in.

The journey to Sarayaku came at the tail end of a three-week trip to the region. I was on assignment for American University’s (AU) Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS), and charged with producing a short film on religion and the environment. I’ll keep you up-to-date on the post-production as it unfolds.

Because I anticipated some difficult conditions in the jungle, I trimmed down the gear and shot the film with an iPhone 6+, equipped with the FiLMiC Pro app, and directional as well as wireless microphones, which I used interchangeably. I had to buy some other gadgets, as well, and I’ll discuss that in later posts, so stick with me as I review the material.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

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The Epicenter of Resistance

July 8, 2015 by

In the beginning copy

CANELOS, Ecuador, 29 June 2015 — This is how my journey to the epicenter of indigenous resistance to oil drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon began — a five-hour canoe ride down the Bobonaza River in Ecuador’s “Oriente” region, rich in oil and other natural resources. I traveled to Sarayaku, an autonomous region of this South American country. There, Kichwa Indians for decades have resisted the advances of the Ecuadorian government and foreign corporations to allow oil drilling and “development” in their homeland. This is why both the inhabitants of the region as well as the Ecuadorian government consider it the “epicenter” of resistance.

The trip to Sarayaku is especially timely because of the Vatican’s recent encyclical defending the environment and the poor. Pope Francis on Sunday 5 July landed in Ecuador on the first stage of a three-country visit to South America, bringing with him the Vatican’s message of concern for society’s most defenseless and the world they live in.

The journey to Sarayaku came at the tail end of a three-week trip to the region. I was on assignment for American University’s (AU) Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS), and charged with producing a short film on religion and the environment. I’ll keep you up-to-date on the post-production as it unfolds.

Because I anticipated some difficult conditions in the jungle, I trimmed down the gear and shot the film with an iPhone 6+, equipped with the FiLMiC Pro app, and directional as well as wireless microphones, which I used interchangeably. I had to buy some other gadgets, as well, and I’ll discuss that in later posts, so stick with me as I review the material.

In addition to the technical issues, the Amazon presents challenges unique to itself. These include heavy rains, muddy pathways, questionable food and water supplies, plus spiders, scorpions, serpents and poisonous, stinging ants.

(Photo by Bill Gentile)

 

Filed Under: Backpack Video Journalism, Bill Gentile, Essential Video Field Manual, How to Make a Documentary Film, How to make videos that rock, powerful videos, Shooting Tips, Uncategorized, Video Journalism Show, Video Journalism Workshop Tagged With: , , , ,

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“Afghan Dreams” Packs House

April 10, 2015 by

01.crowd ws

WASHINGTON, DC, 10 April 2015 — The screening on 8 April of “Afghan Dreams” turned out to be an event that was something beyond “special.” So many of you contributed to what one of the attendants called, “an inspiring and compelling documentary (event) about empowering women in Afghanistan. A wonderful story of perseverance, commitment and overcoming cultural and political barriers to become role models to younger women in Afghanistan. Actually getting to interact and speak with three of the girls on Skype followed by an interesting and insightful panel completely topped it off. Congratulations to all the team of ‘Afghan Dreams,’ so happy and proud to witness it.”

One of the most exciting components of the evening was the Skype session with three of our characters, all young women, who were featured in the film. They were thrilled to join the conversation. Events like these are what documentary filmmakers live for. It is our deepest form of gratification. It is part of what we aim to achieve: to impact the lives of others in a positive way.

I’m including some of the memorable images of the evening.

– Bill Gentile

 

02.panel ms

03.panel ms

04. Esther with guys

05.Skype and moderator

06.panel

07.dean intro

08. Skype with students

 

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Register for June 4-7 Video Workshop

April 5, 2015 by

02.Tanzania

WASHINGTON, DC, 5 April 2015 — We now are accepting registration for the June 4-7 Video Workshop With Bill Gentile in Washington, DC. During this four-day immersion in the craft of visual storytelling, you learn to:

Articulate story ideas.
Capture powerful images and clean sound.
Recognize and cultivate dramatic story arcs.
Conduct compelling, in-depth interviews.
Write powerful treatments and scripts.
Narrate stories.
Edit for maximum impact.

Open the door to powerful visual storytelling. Hone your skills and advance your career. Make money with video. Register now.

For more details, click here: videojournalismworkshops.com/live

Best regards,

Bill Gentile

Filed Under: Backpack Video Journalism, Bill Gentile, Essential Video Field Manual, How to Make a Documentary Film, How to make videos that rock, powerful videos, Shooting Tips, Video Journalism Workshop

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“Afghan Dreams” Screens at Department of Commerce

March 4, 2015 by

Commerce screening1

WASHINGTON, DC, 3 March 2015 — We conducted a screening of our film, “Afghan Dreams,” today at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The film documents four Afghan law students, all female, as they defy all odds to compete in an international competition of commercial law in Hong Kong. The team was trained by lawyers working at the Department of Commerce. We followed up the screening with a panel discussion.

It’s been a long road since we began this project over one year ago. And it was great to see our collective efforts bear fruit.

(Photos by Bill Gentile)

 

Filed Under: Bill Gentile, Essential Video Field Manual, How to Make a Documentary Film, How to make videos that rock, Shooting Tips

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Free Screening of “No Fire Zone”

January 31, 2015 by

FINAL Macrae flyer lo resWASHINGTON, DC, 31 January 2015 — Join us this Wednesday 4 February for a screening and panel discussion with UK filmmaker Callum Macrae of his documentary “No Fire Zone,” about human rights abuses during the 2009 offensive by the armed forces of Sri Lanka against the Tamil population.

Learn how Callum acquired hard-to-gather footage of the atrocities that left thousands dead and wounded. And discuss with him his years-long effort to bring attention to injustice, and to force those responsible for that injustice to face consequences for their actions.

This event is free and open to the public. Please arrive on time for food and light refreshment.

Bill Gentile

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