BFMA 2013: Broadcast Film and Music Africa 2013

"The Broadcast, Film and Music Africa (BFMA) conference is a popular creative content and electronic broadcasting event that promotes knowledge sharing and networking among high-level electronic media professionals. BFMA 2013 is scheduled to take place in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Conference Center over 26-27 June. This year’s theme is Building a world class electronic media industry in Africa"

I am really looking forward to attending Session 2 on day 1 of this awesome conference! And if time permits, I may also attend Session 17 titled "Music Distribution"

"SESSION 2
PANEL DISCUSSION
Audiovisual content creation in Africa: Challenges and opportunities
As an industry we are still pushing the image of ‘the thin black starving child’, yet Africa has made great strides in recent decades. How then can African media step up and take its place in shaping or creating a new perception by also showing positive stories of Africa? how do we cover positive stories without necessarily hiding the dark truth? Is there a need for more African content on the global platform? is
there an African voice that tells African stories or is the international media in control of who and how Africa's perception is shaped? what role can social media play and is it a working reality? Next steps.
MODERATOR
Terryanne Chebet, Business News Anchor, K24TV, Kenya
PANELLISTS
Rachael Diang'a, Department of Theatre Arts & Film Technology, Kenyatta University
Pascaline Wangui, Director, Intrinsic Concepts, Kenya
Olivier Zegna Rata, President, Afrik.tv, Afrik.com, France
Toni Mumbi Kamau, On Screen Productions, Kenya
Q’damah Walter Lagat, Director/Producer, Qdamah Kip Films, Kenya
Ogova Ondego, Managing Trustee & Creative Director, Lola Kenya Screen

SESSION 17
MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
PANELLISTS
Gustav Erickson, CEO, Mdundo, Kenya

Of rock 'n' roll and bullying

Deidra Ramsey Mcintyre of Red Ibis Hosting posted this link on my Facebook timeline. It's a good way to continue the theme of bullying, first mentioned in the previous post titled "Interview with filmmaker Kristoffer Gimle Ruud: Part 1"

http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/06/pre-teen-musicians-on-the-receiving-end-of-bullying/

Interview with filmmaker Kristoffer Gimle Ruud: Part 1

It’s 8 A.M.

This hell I’m in

Seems I’ve crossed the line again

For being nothing more than who I am

These are the opening lines to Shinehead’s song called “Bully”. Bullying is the theme of a brilliantly made short film titled “Second Chance” but Shinehead’s “Second Chance” not “Bully” was the song used for the short film. 

I had the great honor of interviewing one of the brains behind the short amateur film, filmmaker Kristoffer Gimle Ruud. He emphasizes that he has no copyright to the music, and that it is made as a fan based alternative video as a student project for a friend.

Favourite movies, bands, music videos?

Among my favourite movies are: The Boondock Saints (number one and two), Hot Fuzz and The Dark Knight Trilogy (Batman).

Among my favourite bands are: Mumford & Sons, Benh Zeitlin, Infected Mushroom, Shinedown, Martin O'Donnel and Dope DOD.

Among my favourite music videos are: Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons, Revolver by Philter and Radioactive by Imagine Dragons.

What equipment did you use?

For shooting the video I used Canon EOS 600D, a reflector, a small LED-light source, a Canon 50 mm lens and a Sigma 10-20 mm lens. And I edited the video using Final Cut Pro 7.

How long did the whole process take, that is, from concept to editing?

The script writer used about an hour on creating the manuscript, the shooting took about 5 hours and editing about 5 hours. The editing was spread over several days though, because of a tight schedule.

The budget?

Because we only used equipment that was available for us for free and actors, scriptwriter and cinematograph/editor who where willing to work for free, the budget equals zero.

 If you had a budget of 1 million dollars, what would you have added/done differently?

Well, firstly I'd rent some better equipment and tools for the production to enhance the general quality. I'd get some professional actors, and rewrite the manuscript with a professional writer. Then I would also have rented in a professional cinematographer. Instead of having just one day of shooting, I would set up a run over several days of recording and travel to more specific locations with a budget for catering etc. I would still do the editing myself, but prioritize more time since I would actually get “paid” enough to compensate for the time spent. Last but not least I would rent in a VFX expert to enhance the effects showing throughout the video. I think I also would have rented a production leader to keep track on budget, time and give this production a suitable flow.

List of locations and why those particular locations?

- School

Because it is at typical place for children or youngsters to experience bullying and for them to express themselves.

- Their homes

Because children's homes are often the source of their behavior at school etc.

- Suburban environment

Because kids usually have to walk between this kind of environment to get from their home to the school and vice versa.

(In the second part of this interview, Kristoffer talks about his experiences with bullying, his current projects and gives some great advice to aspiring filmmakers)

Check out the awesome short film here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pbXWqtw7sc