Videography Training for Grassroot Organizations
Client
Drishti Media & GIZ
Role
Assistant Trainer (Consultant)
Area of Work
Community Media
Duration of Project
December 2019 to
January 2020
About the Project
With the increased penetration of enhanced digital devices like smartphones, the possibilities of capturing and creating impactful stories have increased. GIZ and NABARD's ProSoil Project wished to equip their key stakeholders (farmers) with in-depth knowledge of videography using their smartphones or tablets. As part of Drishti's team, I was looking at co-designing the training module, and assisting in the facilitation and documentation of hand-holding processes.
Process
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 filmmaking 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.
The project ended with a documentation report of the same.
For more details of the process, scroll below.
PHASE 1: TRAINING SESSIONS ON PRODUCTION AND SHOOTING
The training was conducted in Darewadi, Maharashtra. Through presentations and demonstrations, the sessions aimed to orient trainees to the processes of shooting, and the equipment that they would use for the same. 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.
Participants familiarizing themselves with the different equipment required for videography shoots - in this case, a sound recorder
Understanding the importance of using a lapel mic while conducting interviews
Groups were encouraged to give critical feedback to their peers
Participants familiarizing themselves with the different equipment required for videography shoots - in this case, a sound recorder
PHASE 2: HAND-HOLDING TRAINEES IN THEIR FIELD AREAS
The team divided itself into two groups traveling 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 the 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).
Participants were shown how the editing processes looks like and how to use software to use
Before using the software, the participants were acquainted with the concept of editing through exercises focused on editing on paper - writing the interview transcript and removing parts which are not relevant
All the films created by the participants were screened at the end of training
Participants were shown how the editing processes looks like and how to use software to use