One of ASAP’s longstanding supporters (and incidentally the woman who introduced us to Priscilla) has organized a filmmaker to do a promo docu-video for ASAP. Yes, I was also trying to work on something, but Move A Mountain Productions are real professionals! The film crew consisted of Andy & me, Priscilla, Linet (ASAP’s office manager and all around can’t-live-without awesome woman), Elizabeth (the producer and filmmaker), and Elio (the editor-turned-camera-man). We made a good team! On the first day Elizabeth said we should all throw in our ideas, that there was no ‘director’ which made us a bit nervous. Having made a 1/2 dozen Potato Riot flicks, we know how easily there can be too many cooks in one kitchen. But actually, we all worked well together. While Elizabeth took notes and suggested shots, Elio filmed, Scilla worked with the interview-ees, Linet got forms signed and helped translate, and Andy & I did sound, lighting, and production stills.
Linet, Boniswa, Priscilla, Elizabeth, Elio, Alex (photo by Andy)
The first leg of filming took place in Mount Frere. We filmed at the home of one of our favorite village health workers, Mrs. Tshalana. She invited her sangoma friends, and there were about 30 kids there, singing and dancing when we arrived. The weather wasn’t great–lots of wind–but we still managed to get a few interviews of Boniswa and Mrs. Tshalana in the garden. And Andy and I finally got to try Xhosa beer! It was … interesting. It looked a bit like hot chocolate, and tasted thick and very yeasty. I’m pretty sure it won’t become my new drink of choice.
Andy tucking into the Xhosa beer
The next day (my 30th birthday!) we filmed at a local JSS to get the “kids walking to school” shot. We then rushed out to another school (which, though it was described as “not very far”, turned out to be almost an hours drive) to interview one of our OVC. He’s one of the kids Andy has been tutoring in maths, and he is such a sweet kid. His English has improved immeasurably since he has switched from junior high to high school. Also, working with Andy has probably helped, too. He was very nervous and tongue-twisted on camera, but he talked about how much Hlomelikusasa and African Solutions has helped him over the years with school uniform & supplies, and helped him to feel the same as all the other kids.
Filming at Osborne Senior School
Then we had to rush back to Mrs. Lila’s, another village health worker. She is an adorable woman who doesn’t speak much English, but she has a fantastic garden and an uncanny knack for getting the orphans in her area put on child care and foster grants. She’s a saint. And she was a really good sport about the filming. Scilla really wanted a shot of a VHW fetching eggs that had been laid by indigenous hens and holding the egg up to the camera to say “One egg can provide the protein needed for a child.” It took a few takes, but Mrs. Lila nailed it!
All you need is one egg...
Stay tuned for the second installment of our filmmaking adventures!
July 1st, 2009 at 09:13
I thought the first line of the post was “… organized a filmmaker to do a porno docu-video…” I’d buy that!
July 1st, 2009 at 22:09
The photo of Andy looks like he had already ‘enjoyed’ the Xhosa beer!!!! (how do you pronounce Xhosa).
Who is the film to be shown to? It sounds like it will show some of what is really happening out there when a little aid comes their way. Maybe it’s for us grannies to show on grannies united evenings, (mine has yet to happen). I can tell some of the stories now anyway.
July 2nd, 2009 at 08:42
Hey Val, yes the video will be shown to funders and I think Grannies United will also get copies to show at luncheons to raise support. Pretty cool. And I love that pic of Andy, too. He looks drunk after one sip!
Xhosa is pronounced Clozah (in English), with the clicks you have to make a “horse calling click” where the X is, and then add the L-O-Z-A. Does that make any sense?
July 2nd, 2009 at 13:18
I think ‘korza’ is how most white people pronounce it, and they don’t bother trying the click (but the X click is one of the easiest ones.)
July 2nd, 2009 at 13:30
“Korza”? Really?
I never heard anyone say it like that. Andy, I think you’re trying to misinform our readers!