Tapping filmmaking talents in schools<\/p>\n
By Yusuf Susilo<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): A month-long film workshop for high school
\nstudents is being held in Bandung, West Java.<\/p>\n
The workshop, which was kicked off on Sunday March 4, involves
\n10 mentors and a number of experts, including Shanty Harmayn,
\nRayya Makarim, Harry Dagoe and Arthuro GP.<\/p>\n
Eko Harsoselanto, who initiated the organization of the
\nworkshop along with two colleagues -- Ismail Fahmi and Amanda
\nMarahimin from the Pop Corner Foundation -- said, \"This workshop
\nis not intended to turn students into filmmakers.\"<\/p>\n
The main goal, they said modestly, was to open wide the
\nstudents' minds that a film can be used as a means of expression.<\/p>\n
Eko and his colleagues held the first such workshop in Jakarta
\nin 1999 with 45 senior high school students participating and
\neight films being made. In 2000, the second workshop was also
\nheld in Jakarta, participated in by 50 junior high-school
\nstudents and produced 10 films.<\/p>\n
Many more students than were expected wanted to enroll in the
\nworkshop. Actually, it was designed to take in 50 participants,
\nwho would be divided into 10 groups with a mentor each. In order
\nnot to disappoint those who could not get a place, another class
\nwas established. This class produced three films. In all, the two
\nworkshops produced 21 films, one film short of the 22 expected.<\/p>\n
While earlier workshops were organized by Pop Corner, this
\nyear's workshop enjoys support from Anak Sampoerna Guidance
\nProgram, an aid scheme showing concern for arts education,
\nthrough its working partner, [ki:] communication.<\/p>\n
With this support, Pop Corner can hold the workshop in four
\ncities: Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. Two hundred
\njunior high school students are expected to join the workshops,
\nwhich will run from March through June.<\/p>\n
The workshop introduces a unique and interesting teaching and
\nlearning method, a combination of a class system and tutorship
\nblended with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Every
\nSunday, participants will studied the theory of film, which will
\ninclude a general introduction to films and other film elements
\nlike the story idea, the script, casting, directing, lighting,
\ncamera work and editing.<\/p>\n
On other days of the week, they will go to school as usual.<\/p>\n
During the shooting period, each group will think of their own
\nstory based on a major theme given by the organizer and write the
\nscript. This year's theme is Our World. Then they will look for
\nthe cast and direct the film. Last year, for example, the cast
\nincluded the participants' friends, teachers and even parents.<\/p>\n
For this activity, the organizer will cover the cost of film
\nshooting and editing while the participants will have to provide
\na portable video camera.<\/p>\n
At the end of the workshop, in the fourth week, each group
\nwill present their film before the organizers, the sponsors and
\nthe guests of honor (parents and teachers). \"Our experience shows
\nthat this is a very touching moment.<\/p>\n
\"It is on this occasion that parents and teachers give their
\ncomments on the work and the hidden potential of their children
\nand students,\" said Eko.<\/p>\n
Good appreciation<\/p>\n
After organizing two film workshops, as well as workshops on
\nshort-story writing and music for high school students quite
\nsuccessfully, Eko dismissed the assumption that Indonesian
\nchildren, and youngsters in particular, have poor film
\nappreciation. The workshops show that these youngsters actually
\nappreciate popular arts, particularly films. \"Just bear in mind
\nthat they have been born and brought up with television and other
\nforms of technology-based entertainment. It is not surprising to
\nfind a lot of references in their heads,\" Eko stressed.<\/p>\n
It is these references that have lent liveliness to the
\natmosphere of the workshops. In a session where Shanty Harmayn
\ngave an introduction to films, followed by Rayya Makarim's
\ndiscussion on scriptwriting, the TV, CD, VCD and Internet-
\ngeneration youngsters were actively and confidently involved in
\nthe debate, firing questions one after another.<\/p>\n
One of the participants, Endus, of SMP Taruna Bakti Bandung,
\nsaid that he liked to watch any film -- Indonesian or Oscar-
\ncaliber. He said he nurtured an ambition to be a famous actor,
\nnot an engineer, a doctor, a civil servant or a politician. That
\nis why, he added, he is taking part in this workshop, to get some
\nknowledge which he would not obtain from school.<\/p>\n
Not all the workshop participants are like Endus, though. Many
\nare taking part simply to gain a new experience. They do not care
\nwhether they will have a film career. \"I'm still in search of my
\nidentity,\" one Sundanese girl said in her Jakartan-Melayu
\ndialect.<\/p>\n
Taking into account the psychology of development, we will
\nsoon realize that these youngsters have not firmly made up their
\nminds yet.<\/p>\n
Pop Corner was right when it designed this workshop as a place
\nwhere high school students, crammed with rote learning everyday,
\nmay enjoy a wider perspective of democratization appreciation and
\na broader opportunity to express themselves. It is not a place
\nwhere you can learn to be a filmmaker.<\/p>\n
However, it is true that some of the participants have become
\nmore determined to have a career in the film world after joining
\nthis workshop. Another problem in this respect is the support of
\nparents and teachers.<\/p>\n
That is why, said Imron of [ki:] communication, the workshop
\nis also designed to arouse the awareness of parents and teachers
\nthat an arts education is (also) important and that you can make
\na good career in the film world.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, Pop Corner and its partners are bringing
\nyoungsters closer to the film world. \"If this potential continues
\nto be tapped, within a decade we may see good filmmakers,\" Shanty
\nHarmain expressed her hope, which may also be shared by us all.<\/p>\n
If the government feels called upon to tap these youngsters'
\nfilmmaking potential, it may provide the necessary facilities. It
\nneed not intervene too far. Experience clearly shows that it is
\nnone other than the government -- in this case the now-disbanded
\nMinistry of Information -- that has put our national film
\nindustry out of business.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tapping-filmmaking-talents-in-schools-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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