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Reportback from Colombia: Video Production and Video Editing Workshop

Miguel Macías, an independent radio and video producer, sound designer, and musician based in Los Angeles, recently volunteered with MADRE in Bogotá, Colombia, to conduct workshops on the use of professional digital cameras and video editing systems with the young students at Taller de Vida ("Workshop of Life" in Spanish), MADRE's sister organization in Colombia.

For one week in December 2006, Miguel worked with two groups of teenage students, with about eight kids in each group. Recently he shared some of this thoughts and experiences with us, and we wanted to share them with you, MADRE supporters who make these Sisters Without Borders exchanges possible.

"I can't say enough good things about the students," said Miguel. The students exhibited "an extraordinary level of engagement" and they were eager to learn and apply new techniques. "It seems clear," Miguel told us, "that the philosophy that Taller de Vida supports has an extremely positive effect on these teenagers, who are excited to help their community, grow self-awareness and learn from their experiences."

Throughout the workshop, Miguel instructed participants on topics such as practical use of a digital camera, production, and Final Cut Pro (an editing system that was generously donated by a MADRE member). The students had the opportunity to conduct interviews with members of their community, become part of a three-camera production shoot, use the specialized software to create subtitles, and edit their videos, among other activities. Miguel pointed out that, given the number of students who demonstrated interest and aptitude in video production, the program has great room for growth. The students are full of ideas and energy, he said, and could benefit greatly from ongoing training and technical support.

Miguel said he was conscious of the need to teach in a way that would allow the students to "continue the learning process on their own and help other students," and provide the students with the necessary skills to produce a short fiction or documentary piece. We, along with Miguel, look forward seeing what they create.

"I feel truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with Taller de Vida thanks to MADRE," said Miguel. "The good memories will stay with me for years. And the things I learned will stay with me forever. As always, I hope the future will bring more opportunities like this. I will always be available to volunteer for MADRE and dedicate my time to a mission that I consider vital."

We thank Miguel for his generous spirit.

Taller de Vida provides critical services for displaced Afro-Colombian and Indigenous women and youth in Bogotá, Colombia. Founded ten years ago by two sisters, Taller de Vida works with youth who are at high-risk for being recruited as child-soldiers in Colombia's war, in which all sides exploit poor children to advance their combat goals.