Bikalpa – an Alternative with the support from Atlas Networks and in association with Samriddhi Foundation, Accountability Lab and Hotel Namaskar hosted a two weeks non-residential “Liberty Filmmaking Workshop” from 27th of December 2019 to 11th of January 2020 (11-26 Poush 2076 ) in the premise of Hotel Namaskar, Biratnagar.
The workshop was structured in three phases. First phase was indoor class-based film-making workshop that lasted 5 days (27th December 2019 – 31th December 2019) featuring several key film-making concepts delivered in different sessions by various resource persons. In the second phase (1st – 10th January 2020), participants were divided into 4 groups after the training to complete their final film-making projects based on public policy ideas provided during the training. In the third phase (11th of January 2020) of the training, 4 videos prepared by the participants were screened in front of a large audience.
The participants were selected on open basis and Bikalpa had opened applications for the program 1 month in advance.
Core objectives of Liberty Film Making Workshop:
- To enhance participant’s understanding on film-making and help develop a holistic approach to film making i.e. identifying issues, developing concepts, pre-production, production and post production.
- To enhance the participant’s understanding on public policy issues and equip them with skills required for sensitizing targeted stakeholders and general people.
- To make the participants realize the true potential of visual media in fostering progressive change.
Overview about the Workshop
During this Liberty film making workshop in Biratnagar , 30 aspiring participants from diverse organization and background , working on the different issues joined the workshop. After welcoming the participants, Mr. Basanta Adhikari shared the objectives and overview of the training, detailing the idea behind the process of how it started, key issues behind it, why it was important and how it was all made possible to bring this training to Biratnagar. He also presented a briefing on “Bikalpa an Alternative”. Following this, the remaining of the workshop was facilitated by Bikalpa’s team members and few other facilitators.
Summary of the Session
Punam Giri
At the first glance of the training session, Punam Giri, Member of Bikalpa, introduced movie making and key concepts of film making. During his session he stressed on the topic what cinema is, history of cinema, how moving pictures cinema evolved. He also highlighted on historic view of South Asian cinema and “Talkies” which further clarifies the participants to understand about film making history.
On the other session, participants witnessed various tips on photography and Lighting where Punam talked about the basic rules of the photography. He shared three basic elements of exposure: Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO which is used in three different combinations according to the type of photography. He also explained that photography is the art of learning by doing; one need have a passion and patience for it. While talking about lightening he said Lighting is one of the most important aspects of creating a video because it allows setting the mood of the video. He talked most commonly-used techniques for lighting like: Key Lighting, Fill Lighting, Back lighting and explained practically during the session.
Sarwagya Raj Pandey
Sarwagya’s session included tips on how to convert a story into a plot and how to market issues by converting them into a compelling story. His other sessions included familiarizing the participants about the works of art director and the use of colors in production design. He also summarized the entire film making process from a director’s point of view and also talked about the difficulties involved in film making process. He also moderated a session in which the participants prepared a one minute film silent film as well.
Ratna Jyoti Shakya
The sessions moderated by Ratna were Cinematography and Editing. In his session, he talked about The elements of Cinematography, role of a cinematographer, shot sizes: Telling what they see, camera Angles: the art of manipulation and camera moves. During his sessions, he also played short movie clips to make participants understand his lecture. In his editing session, he talked about the basic step of editing, essentials cuts, and skills required to be a good film editor. In his own words, He said “Editors are called the third storytellers of a movie because, after the writer and director, the editor will construct the narrative and truly define the story that audience will see”, so it also important for editors to have some cinematic knowledge of the movie. Participants were delighted to know these techniques and had good conversation on the topics that where shared.
Basanta Adhikari
He facilitated two sessions on “Introduction to public policy issues” and “Why visual media advocacy is important?” Speaking at this session, He said, we rarely speak about public policy issues that is hindering our life. It is important to see the issues through public policy angle and need to act on it. In his presentation he highlighted the public policy issues and gave numerous examples to clarify the participants. During the session he also shared about having a lot of opportunity here in Nepal. He continuously raised questions on topics like why are we still poor and economically backward, what kind of policies should be adopted, and so on. Since the objective of the session was to help the participants identify new approaches to understand policy problems and its solutions. This session allowed participants to dive deeper in policy issues.
In his second session He talked about “Advocacy” and “Lobby”. He said Lobbying is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue which plays a significant role in modern politics. Both lobby and advocacy increase the scope of influence to improve policies and achieve structural change. He further shared Issue for Advocacy, Advocacy and Lobby-Planning stages, issues of concern, collaborative learning by designing campaigns. During this session, Bikalpa advocacy video was showcased and encourage participant to identify such issue for making movie after workshop.
Suman Rai
In this session of leadership and Team work, the main focus was on team-building among the participants and to enhance their leadership potentials during field work. Here, facilitator used games to build conceptual understanding of team work. He also shared the importance of teamwork and how film making is all about team work. Throughout the conversations in session the participants delved into various unique perspectives and looked at how each individual has their own definition of leadership. Team building activities was played before the session to make participants realize the importance of team building and leadership in film making.
Dipesh Bhandari
In this session the facilitator used different mode of practical artistic way to make understand the participants about acting. He gave practical demonstration for those. He also made the participants participate in acting by making them experience acting. The participants were made to enact various scenes which were analyzed by the entire participants. He also gave drama “Sutra”(tips) for acting. These exercise and tips helped the students understand the nuances of acting and helped them in guiding their actors during film-making.
Group Division and Ideation of issues
During the workshop hours, the participants were constantly made to think about the issues that they think were needed to be addressed. The organizers put forth the 4 issues related to the public policy issues which helped the participant to brain storm and come up with their own ideas for the stories. Four such concepts were handpicked by the facilitators on the final day of the workshop. Also, on the final day of workshop the participants were divided into 4 groups where they had to work as team for making their own short films.
Throughout the all session the facilitators used participatory tools like games, exercises, individual reflection, group work, interactive discussions, films, role plays and other creative modes in workshop. Sessions were kept, interactive and had open conversations during the workshop. For the participants, the workshop was not only about the knowledge and skills they learnt, but also the relationships they had made. It was a splendid journey for them to meet and explore themselves with diverse identities together.
Final Screening Day
The 3rd and final phase of Liberty films making workshop, “Movie Screening- Premier Show” was held at Hotel Namaskar on January 11, 2020. During the screening, 4 movies made by the graduates during the workshop were showcased. The short movies were based on themes of Freedom of Expression, Mal development and property rights, License and Government Accountability on public Education. The program saw more than 168 attendee during the program. After showcasing of each movie, the crew members were introduced they shared their experience during the making of the short movie. The program was hosted by Mr. Basanta Adhikari and guest of the program were Mr. Diwash Subedi (Director of Makalau Television), Mr. Abhinayak Malla (Owner of Wake Cup coffee) and Mr. Yunesh Raj Shrestha (Director of Hotel Namaskar). During the program hour, local comedian artist, Mr. Paras Thapa was also invited to perform infront of the audience. At the end note speech, Mr. Subedi appreciated Bikalpa team and said that these types of skill-building workshops were very important for the youths of Biratnagar. He also mentioned all the movies carried a story about the voiceless who did not have a voice. The issues raised in the movie gave the audience a peek into the lives of those who have had to face such problem due to wrong policies and governance.
Different local media personalities were also present as attendees of the program. After screening, the graduates and artists involved in the movie were presented with certificates and token of love from the guests of the program. The program was scheduled from 2pm and ended at 4pm. The program was covered in the local media.
Here are the video links of movies.
