I always dreamed about becoming a great film maker, but unfortunately for me the available film training opportunities were either too expensive or I had to pursue a degree or diploma in filming yet I did not have the needed qualifications. It was just me and my dream. So when I heard about Sisi Film Lab, I did not hesitate to apply for I believed it was an open road to my dreams becoming a reality. It is a free practical training, sponsored by GZK/UGCS and DOEN, targeting artists interested in learning film. Luck chose me and I got selected.
I was called to attend an orientation meeting to get an overview of the training, but reaching the venue was more like a journey to the center of the earth. It was filled with anxiety and great expectations. Traveling to a destination so distant for the first time seemed scary but I was confident enough that it was the promised land. Fortunately I made it after taking multiple stops, getting lost and asking for directions. As I was on the boda, I entertained thoughts of meeting new people, and creating bonds bound to be broken by time or sealed for a lifetime.
The meeting commenced with everyone giving an introduction of themselves. Unfortunately I forgot some names as soon as they were uttered. Well, it was too hard to grasp each and everyone’s name. At least I recall we were all bound by the same desire of transforming our film aspirations into reality. In the meeting, we got introduced to the training. This confirmed to me that it is a golden ticket to acquiring essential film making skills, a place of dreams morphing into reality. The training would be in three phases starting with the beginners class which would run for fifteen days. So this article is about our experiences in this first phase.
I was anxious about what our first day of class had in store for us. It reminded me of high school, as I sat in form one class waiting for that lesson about a Bunsen burner. I didn’t know what it was but for some reasons it was the trend as every child in form one was nick named a “Bunsen burner”. I won’t lie I didn’t know which subject it was but at least I expected to hear about it. Now for film, we were not sure about what exactly they would teach us. I thought we would only be watching movies. Finally, the first day unveiled the mystery of our first class. It began with introductions which were more in depth, detailing our desire for film and our journeys in art. This gave me the opportunity to get everyone’s names.
SCREEN WRITING: The Raw Material Of a Film.
We started our lessons with learning script writing. Charlie Kobong, one of the mentors, revealed to us the impressive art of screen writing. Charlie’s course was a gourmet meal in an expensive hotel and luck had chosen us to be the fine diners. We learned about the three act structure, turning points, mid points, obstacles and goals, and character development, as the factors that advance a story. Not forgetting the main dish, subtext in dialogue.
We wrote our first screenplay on the theme of “Dead Cat.” For the record, we didn’t know know that the dead cat is a cover for the capsule used when recording sound. We instead wrote about actual dead cats. After drafting our scripts, we engaged in an interactive table read and we got critiqued in beautiful ways. And for sure, I’m proud to say we can now write screenplays! First achievement!
SOUND: The Ambiance Of a Film.
Then followed the sound class. The theory part seemed more like those physics lessons we failed to understand back in high school, but the practical was an adventure worth living for.
Boom swinging, its not just for the strongest. I must admit it was not an easy start. It was one of the class that had us want to go hit the gym and build some boom swinging muscles.
Then we recorded our first radio play. It was a thrilling session that had us fighting to figure out the tone to use when acting out our dead cat scripts. After many failed attempts, we hit that jackpot as we figured out the right intonations to use. After recording, we edited in a software called “Audacity”. Sound editing requires full attention. You can’t do it with a divided mind, especially when picking sound from a different take to add it on another take for it to synchronize. To tell you the truth, I ended that day feeling dizzy. We all ran away by 3pm because it was tough!
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Visualizing a Film.
We were all enthusiastic for the cinematography class because when you think about film, you think about the visuals. We were taught about the 180° rule and the 30° rule used when shooting. I always thought it was just about getting a camera and capturing people acting without following rules! I was so confused to the point of acquiring a second lesson from Cabrine, an experienced cinematographer. We then learned about the different camera angels, movements, and shots like close up, wide and medium. I always imagined getting a camera and starting to shoot fwaaa, but – eh! Shooting involves painting with light so you have to master camera settings like ISO, shutter speed, and color temperature. And you have to know the angles and the right lenses to use.
Soon after, we were handed the equipment and tasked with transforming our dead cat stories into actual short films. This led us to our very first class on acting for the screen, and directing actors. We the students had to be the cast of our scripts. The cinematography amateur skills we had learned had to be put to test. Just like that, our acting mode was activated and the shooting practice began. I must admit it was really exceptional. How well we wore many hats in one day! One minute, you are a director of your film, the next you are a boom swinger, then you are a sound recordist, then you find yourself as the cinematographer. Eh! All within one day. It was a beautiful experience, though tiring.
EDITING: The Knife That Cuts The Film.
The editing class provided us with valuable insights about the process of cutting a film. It had everyone on their heels, as we had to learn new software, Kdenlive, which we used to cut clips and join the different shots and takes into an amazing film. It was a really challenging part albeit loved by all the Sisi Film Lab students. It was another class that needed a sane mind for editing is where a film is made or spoiled. We edited our Dead Cat short films, aligning sound, added title frames and templates and then rendered. That marked the end of our Dead cat series.
We now delved deeper into writing scripts for our first short films. Dead cat was a learning process, this was now the real thing. We had to use real actors and in real sets. This was the third week of training and it marked the end of the beginners class.
Be it the beginners class, the enthusiasm and zeal we portrayed in understanding the art of film making is magnanimous. We are destined for greater heights. It’s about time we set the standards high. The prestigious Sisi Film Lab is truly a place where dreams come true. We are just getting ready to engage in this fun filled experience to turn our dreams into cinematic masterpieces.
If you want to be part of the collective, click here to see how to join. Or if you would like to keep updated about the collective and its future activities, do follows by email, and all our social media. We are building a fun community of filmmakers and film lovers. Other than trainings we have things like film clubs where we watch films regularly, and socialize.
If you enjoyed this blog, please share so that other people can find it. You never know, a budding filmmaker is among those who follow you!
Wow this is amazing