VIDEOGRAPHY TRAINING FOR GRASSROOT ORGANIZATIONS
ABOUT THE PROJECT
As part of GIZ (a German development agency) and NABARD's ProSoil project, which aims to implement sustainable
approaches for the protection and rehabilitation of degraded soils, this project focused on assisting farmers in bringing their issues to the forefront through the medium of videos and films. Drishti, a human-rights media organization, was approached to train farmers on creating short documentaries using mobile phones and tablets for the same. I was in the capacity of Assistant Trainer for this project and also conducted documentation of the processes.
the process
DESIGNING TRAINING PLAN
The training was divided into three sections - Training in Production and Shooting, Hand-holding of participants in their field areas, and Training in Editing. The first phase consisted of sessions that focused on the basics of film-making and shooting. The design consisted of activity-based exercises that would orient participants to the initial processes of shooting. The hand-holding processes after this phase would allow the trainers to assist the trainees on the field for their films, with the aim of enhancing their learning experience. And lastly, the final sessions on editing were designed to introduce the trainees to editing software and the basics of editing, along with feedback and assistance on the editing of their documentary film.
CONDUCTING TRAINING AND HAND-HOLDING
PHASE 1: TRAINING SESSIONS ON PRODUCTION AND SHOOTING
The training was conducted in Darewadi, Maharashtra. As mentioned above, the entire process was divided into three sections. Through presentations and demonstrations, the sessions aimed to orient trainees to the processes of the shooting and the equipment that they would use for the same.
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The exercises were designed to make the trainees comfortable and familiar with the equipment, as well as the process of shooting. After each exercise, trainees reviewed and provided feedback on each other's work. After the reviews, the trainees were encouraged to re-do the activities of the exercise to ensure a grasp on the process.
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PHASE 2: HAND-HOLDING TRAINEES IN THEIR FIELD AREAS
The team divided itself into two groups travelling to different parts of Maharastra to assist trainees in their process of making a film in their field areas. The aim of this process was to ensure grounding of the concepts introduced in the training sessions.
PHASE 3: TRAINING IN EDITING
In the last leg of training, the trainees were introduced to basics of editing and an editing software that would help them in creating their final film(s).
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CREATING THE FINAL REPORT OF THE PROJECT
A training report was created for the project which captured the training exercises and activities, along with processes of the hand-holding phase.