Crew Descriptions

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1. Field Producer

The Field Producer directs the scene. Field Producers approach subjects, introduce the crew, and position the subject into favorable lighting positions. Before calling action, communicate with the Camera Operator, Audio Field Recorder, and Gaffer to get a “thumbs up” (Lights, Camera, Sound, Action). This job may be combined with Interviewer/Translator.

2. Camera Operator

The Camera Operator has access to the camera, tripod and steadicam. The Camera Operator’s only focus should be on exposure and composition, not content. General workflow:

1. Shoot bars at the head of the tape
2. Communicate with Field Producer to direct the subject
3. Communicate with Gaffer to set up lighting
4. White Balance with Production Assistant
5. Read out timecode to Production Assistant for logging
6. Say "rolling" when timecode starts

3. Production Assistant

The Production Assistant (PA) works with the rest of the crew on a number of critical roles:

1. White balance with Camera Operato
2. Clap (audio sync)
3. Log the tapes (download the logsheet) during the shoot
4. Log Audio
5. Have batteries and tapes on hand
6. Keep an eye on equipment
7. Assist Gaffer

4. Audio Field Recorder

The Audio Field Recorder operates the audio deck and boom mic. Before action is called, test the audio levels, listen for background noise, and communicate with Field Producer once conditions are satisfactory. Have PA Clap when camera is rolling. Focus on levels and sound quality, not content. Communicate with the PA to log audio.

5. Gaffer

The gaffer is in charge of lighting. For our purposes, the gaffer places the LED light panel (usually to the side of the subject to fill in shadows). The gaffer will also carry a white foam core “bounce card” to reflect light onto the subject. Communicate with the Camera Operator and the Field Producer before shooting. Maintain lighting and try not to change anything midway through the shoot unless absolutely necessary.

6. Interviewer / Translator

The Interviewer / Translator interacts directly with the subject. This person should only be concerned with the content and keep a notebook to take notes. It is this person’s job to get the subject’s on-camera permission to be taped – make sure to get full name, age, contact info and if the subject is under 18, parental approval.

Shooting Schedule

First draft here.

"Indigenous Destiny in Indigenous Hands"

A chapter by Luis Macas, Linda Belote, and Jum Belote on Dr. Luis Alberto Macas Ambuludi and CONAIE, and the indigenous people's movement in Ecuador. a good read (pdf).

Michigan Andeans

The Círculo “Micaela Bastidas Phuyuqhawa” is an organization of students and professors, mostly affiliated with the University of Michigan, who study or work in one of the Andean republics.

They organzied a conference on in April: RACE, ETHNICITY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE (7th - 21st centuries), which featured a lecture on "pro-indigenous, anti-neoliberal and anti-racist agendas" in Ecuador.

More Ecuador related academic resources here. Does anyone have the time to comb through this list for useful contacts?

Ayahuasca

(wiki article)

Pronounced "ah-yah-waska," the word is from the Quechua language; it means vine of the soul, vine of the dead, or the vision vine. Known by various names among 72 native ayahuasca-ingesting cultures in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, this legendary, industrial-strength hallucinogen is used by curanderos to heal the sick and communicate with spirits. Many rain forest shamans simply refer to ayahuasca as el remedio, the remedy.
~
While non-native users know of the spiritual applications of Ayahuasca, a less well-known traditional usage focuses on the medicinal properties of ayahuasca. Its purgative properties are highly important (many refer to it as la Purga, "the purge"). The intense vomiting it induces can clear the body of worms and other tropical parasites.

more: Shamanism vs. Capitalism: The Politics of Ayahuasca

The Sparkplug Foundation

This is another grant we can apply to. Unfortunately, we just missed the deadline but the next one is in November and might provide finishing funds or cover costs if we want to hold a conference or a screening for the piece. The Threshold Foundation is another resource for event related funding.

Minuted 5-4-06

Click here for minutes

Art Resources Traditions

FYI: I've been in touch with the director of Art Resources Traditions, a Latin American art resource project. He has a number of contacts in Ecuador. Will keep y'all posted.

Improving the Look of Your Graphics and Text

Here's some good post-prod advice on making subtitles (early, but useful):

Tips to Improve your Text (via Larry's Final Cut Newsletter)

1. Avoid lines thinner than 4 pixels, they will flicker
2. Avoid lines that are almost horizontal or almost vertical, they will stair-step
3. Avoid fancy, curvy fonts like Harrington, Chancery, or Savoye
4. Avoid fonts with very thin bars or serifs, such as Engravers, Baskerville, or Modern
5. Avoid point sizes smaller than 24 points
6. Avoid saturated colors, use the Vectorscope if you are unsure
7. Avoid whites brighter than 92% (235 in PhotoShop)
8. Always use drop shadows on any text you want your viewers to read
9. Always keep any text you want viewers to read inside Title Safe
10. Keep text on screen long enough for you to read it three times.

Remember that text always looks better on your computer screen than it does on a TV set. So, if you can't read it inside Final Cut, your viewers won't be able to read it either.