News

Children´s Film Course “Lights, Camera…Action” Comes to an End
Santo Domingo, August 06, 2010

39 children between 8 and 14 took part in this introduction to filmmaking workshop
On Friday August 6, the Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI) of the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) concluded the “Lights, Camera…Action” workshop it had offered to children between the ages of 8 and 14 years. The course was an introduction to the creative aspects of filmmaking.

The workshop, held from July 19 to 30, was given by Cuban Pablo Ramos, a graduate of psychology who holds a Masters in Communications Science with a specialty in Educational and Community Communication. He is also the coordinator of the Audiovisual Universe of the Latin American Child network

The 39 participants, through methods including games and songs, learned the basic elements of film language, camera management and editing equipment. The classes were divided into two daily sessions from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The closing event began with a speech by GMAI Director, Omar de la Cruz, who thanked the parents of the students for having placed their trust in FUNGLODE. He announced that next year´s course will likely be a full month long.

Ricky, Janela, Linda and Alberto spoke on behalf of the students. They thanked the organizers and teacher saying they “learned a lot” in the course and that it was “very beautiful.”

Professor Ramos recounted his experience with the group who often compared him to the well-known animated caricature Papá Pitufo; he assured everyone he was accustomed to the comparison. Ramos explained that the children were instructed in the basic concepts of filmmaking as well as about the practical aspects of production equipment.

The students made 5 films which they presented as their final projects: one about FUNGLODE and the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival; one on recycling; one on Máximo Gómez and another on the earthquake in Haiti.