community video activists from all over Asia!
Field work screening and discussion of video with community
Preparing the shots for screening
shooting community member in the field
Role playing to help participants learn interview techniques
Participants come from 8 Asian countries
Actual community discussions in the field
Jo Hann emphasising that video is a tool for community organising
Interviewing organic farmer during field work
Anna Har sharing about developing a video story
Participants engaged in group dynamics in training sessions
Arul Prakkash sharing about the elements of community video
Participant share his views about developing a story
Yoga leading the field work team in urban poor area
Intense discussions continues during the 7 days workshop
Field work interview in the urban poor community
collecting data from community member during field work
It was obvious that in “COMMUNITY VIDEO”, the emphasis is on the word “community” and then the word “video” 20 participants from 8 Asian countries gathered in
The event was organized by the South East Asia Popular Communications Programme (SEAPCP) an Asian regional network of community organizers and it was the first of its kind to be organized by the organization.
Local host KOMAS is a Human Rights NGO in
Participants from
The event also included a 1-day field work experience in 4 communities namely the urban poor longhouse community in
The idea of the field work was to have a first hand experience in using video to document an issue and immediately to screen it to the community for discussions and feedback. This powerful approach did not require much time for editing and other technical demands as in the usual production of a film.
Community video employs simple approaches where the medium is used as a tool to capture images, interviews and live action, which can in turn be shown back to the community to provoke discussions, analysis, planning and ultimately to spur them to actions in addressing their issues.
Facilitators for the workshop were experienced and skilled community organizing and video experts. Anna Har, an experienced community videographer and professional Director has been very involved in supporting and training communities to use video for their issues. Arul Prakkash is presently the Coordinator of the KOMAS Community Video Project.
Jo Hann Tan, SEAPCP Community organizing Coordinator and Executive Director of KOMAS was also there to conduct several sessions especially in discussing the perspective frame and concept & practice of community video. Yoga Atmaja from Kawan Nusa Bali
At the end of the workshop, most participants felt these skill and approaches are very crucial and relevant to their work. Since this workshop could not include many others from each country, it was suggested to conduct echo workshops or replication sessions in different respective areas of the participants.
Meanwhile all participants were asked to continue their work and to share their experiences and short community videos through the internet streaming utility so that all can view their stories and videos. This is expected to happen within the next 2 months until end of June.
By Jo Hann Tan
