We've started shooting the videos that the classes have been writing last week. I was pleasantly surprised at how hard these kids worked on their movies and videos, as well as how well they worked together to shoot them. It occurred to me that after working with troubled youth for so many years, I forgot what it's like to work with average kids; how ironic that it's not until I came to Africa to work with the kids here that I've finally seen what impressive imaginations teens have.
The girls seemed to take the lead in most of the projects. In all three large-group production crews the directors and assistant directors are all females. The guys prefer the camera work, set design and acting. What's amazed me most is how much work these learners have put into their movie plans. With just a few seeds of encouragement they have run with their ideas full steam. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with in the end.
The last group to shoot on Friday was a small 11th grade production crew that is shooting a music video. The three girls that star in the video had, prior to Friday, chose every single location they wanted to shoot as well as exactly what they were going to do. They had costumes picked out and even had already decided who was going to get to wear the one pair of sunglasses they collectively own at which scene.
In the states I fought with lackadaisical attitudes, indifference to decisions and short attention spans; but the kids here are so excited to just be able to shoot a video they are willing to fight off those comfortable teen characteristics in order to accomplish something they truly want. Their creative energy is inspiring.
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