Jason 4Rare Breed
October 11th 2006 00:18
Caribbean Filmmakers are a rear breed. As a Trinidadian Media and communications student pursuing a degree at the University of the West Indies in Mona Jamaica, I have encountered many like minded individuals. We all want to make movies. We all have interest in photography and cinematography. We all follow film news, go to cinema often or download atrocious quality pirated versions and then chat about what we liked or didn't like about each film.
So then what's the problem?
There simply are not that many opportunities for potential Caribbean filmmakers to produce feature length films and live comfortably locally in their respective tropical territories.
First to study film you have to endure costs of schooling and living expenses overseas. However there is a new film programme available at the University of the West Indies at the St. Augustine campus which may sound tempting to a Trinidadian since our government covers our full tuition costs. However the programme is now in its second year and for the more serious minded career oriented person this may not be the best option. The newness of this degree programme ultimately means that you as a student are a guinea pig. Not to underestimate the qualifications of lecturers involved but as with any newly instituted programme there are some kinks that will be needed to be worked out in the first couple of years. Another thing is that more well known film degree programmes like the Tisch School of Art film programme at NYU also help you to establish those all important links in the filmmaking world.
Secondly funding opportunities for local feature length films suck. You really have to dig and beg potential sponsors to fund your project. However I haven't really had a film to fund as yet. But most people I have spoken to about the possibility of doing such a thing have been very pessimistic about such ventures. Of course our history has seen some memorable films like The Harder They Come and Lunatic but such filming opportunities are too far apart. Living in the shadow of America, multimillion dollar budget films strike an almost relentless fear in our local sponsors- the risks seem to be too great.
However many unknown film enthusiasts have been recently taking advantage of digital post production and the cinematic effects of filming with the affordable Panasonic 24 frame feature of the AG-DVX 100B camcorders. And the results are optimistic. As a wannabe filmmaker I can only dive into the latest of technologies and improve my knowledge and skill while major multimedia ensures that film production become cheaper with relatively the same quality standards.
From this end a Caribbean Filmmaker can survive locally if he/she can combine technical know-how, a proactive attitude and passion toward his/her filmmaking.
So then what's the problem?
There simply are not that many opportunities for potential Caribbean filmmakers to produce feature length films and live comfortably locally in their respective tropical territories.
First to study film you have to endure costs of schooling and living expenses overseas. However there is a new film programme available at the University of the West Indies at the St. Augustine campus which may sound tempting to a Trinidadian since our government covers our full tuition costs. However the programme is now in its second year and for the more serious minded career oriented person this may not be the best option. The newness of this degree programme ultimately means that you as a student are a guinea pig. Not to underestimate the qualifications of lecturers involved but as with any newly instituted programme there are some kinks that will be needed to be worked out in the first couple of years. Another thing is that more well known film degree programmes like the Tisch School of Art film programme at NYU also help you to establish those all important links in the filmmaking world.
Secondly funding opportunities for local feature length films suck. You really have to dig and beg potential sponsors to fund your project. However I haven't really had a film to fund as yet. But most people I have spoken to about the possibility of doing such a thing have been very pessimistic about such ventures. Of course our history has seen some memorable films like The Harder They Come and Lunatic but such filming opportunities are too far apart. Living in the shadow of America, multimillion dollar budget films strike an almost relentless fear in our local sponsors- the risks seem to be too great.
However many unknown film enthusiasts have been recently taking advantage of digital post production and the cinematic effects of filming with the affordable Panasonic 24 frame feature of the AG-DVX 100B camcorders. And the results are optimistic. As a wannabe filmmaker I can only dive into the latest of technologies and improve my knowledge and skill while major multimedia ensures that film production become cheaper with relatively the same quality standards.
From this end a Caribbean Filmmaker can survive locally if he/she can combine technical know-how, a proactive attitude and passion toward his/her filmmaking.
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