duncanspeakman.net

Apologies for lack of updates recently, our phone busted so no mobile uploads. but now it’s all finished, so we’re going home.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

A walk until there is no more uphill. 2hrs. Gisozi.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

While my co-worker on this project (kerry deacon) is an excellent youth film educator/artist, i can’t recommend her medical expertise with the same confidence (yes, she’s a bit ill again, although it should be mentioned that she thinks she’s already contracted rabies, parasites and dysentery. . . )

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Rwanda appears to have a ministry of environmental protection. where’s mine?

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

The dry season is not living up to its name this weekend.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Location shoot for the first film the trainers have written, produced and directed entirely on their own.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

First day of editing with the trainees. Sometimes It’s easy to forget how strange the concept of a mouse interface is for people who’ve never used one.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Your phone number in rwanda defines your social status (including who will answer your calls!) This number begins with 08 and is therefore ‘old school’, owned by people who’ve had a mobile for a while or who hold important positions. New numbers beginning with 03 (like ours) belong to ‘peasants’, i.e. those who have only just got a mobile. Generally people won’t answer a call from an 03 number if they don’t know it! The other communication trend here is ‘beeping’, where you just call someone and hang up so they know you’ve called. Similar to a facebook ‘poke’, it doesn’t really mean more than ‘hi’, but you’re expected to ‘beep’ back or return the call.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Returning after an exploration of local villages we find this simple but fast game being played by ernest (our driver). Called Egisoru, It’s a case of moving your beans and trying to ‘eat’ your opponent’s.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Local artist Dufitu Mukisa stages an impromptu exhibition for us.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Travelling north west from kigali to lake kivu, we find Gisenyi dotted with these mini-cinemas. Some show sport only, some show chinese action movies. pulling back a tattered curtain usually reveals no projectors, just a large tv, cheap entry and drinks. Cinema Vision (pictured above) is closed right now but gearing up for the euro final this sunday.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

A home burnt DVD from the local video rental shop. Amazingly people actually return them.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

The trainers reviewing shot sizes with lauren(a student). Here they seem to be trying our their EXTREME CLOSE UP. This was probably the hardest day yet for david and jean-paul (the trainers) in terms of teaching, but they got through and the students definitely progressed their skills.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Students being taught by the new trainers. Today they filmed a four shot story and managed to tackle camera positions, crew roles, alcoholism, and domestic violence. So who knows, tomorrow we may end up with apertures, focus and a drug addiction.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

There domestic phones (called Tuvugane) are dotted around Kigali on street corners. A wireless card in the back connects them to the local mobile network. Give some money to the guy with the yellow vest and make your call. A public phonebox for minimalists.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Just a quick note to put the current photo stream into context. I’m currently with Kerry Deacon in Kigali, Rwanda on behalf of Purple Field Productions. We’re working at Centre Marembo training a group to deliver film making skills to the young people who use the centre. Teaching teachers in other words. The centre was set up by rYico and you can find out about them here. We’re here until the end of July so I’ll keep trying to update this site with photos and some diary entries (although we’re posting the photos from a phone which isn’t much fun to write long messages on)

Kerry teaches english to the world.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]

Joselyne teaching duncan. Today we’ve been testing the trainers to see if they can pass on the skills kerry has taught them over the past few weeks.

[image was posted from location of capture using flickr]