Marseille 2007
| Abstract #341 - Whats your story: Creating networks of young Television producers against HIV and AIDS in the Asian region | ||||
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Session: 32.4: Theatre and Media and Internet (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 11.00-12.30 in PR Chaired by Larry Brown, Victoria Gordillo Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Shankar CHOWDHURY - UNESCO, India |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Shankar CHOWDHURY, Dr Scott Rawdin, | ||||
| Aim: Issue: A dynamic response to the epidemic needs active engagement of Television producers Television is a powerful medium for changing peoples perceptions and attitudes and TV producers in particular have the ability to involve and engage audiences in dialogues that enhance learning through experience. Films can evoke strong emotional responses to issues and can renew energy and inspire action. The aim of this UNESCO/AIBD project is therefore to equip and empower young Television producers from selected Asian region countries to not only produce TV spots/PSAs but also be better advocates in the area of HIV/AIDS and human rights. Additionally, through an e-platform, they are encouraged to share experiences with their peers. The project, is thus in two phases the first phase (5 day workshop) is sensitization and training on technical aspects of HIV and AIDS and sharing good and not so good media experiences with the participants carefully selected by AIBD. The participants return to their own countries, develop the script, share ideas through the e-platform and produce the TV spot/PSA. During the second phase (5 day workshop) the participants return with their rough film, critique in group and edit under the technical expertise/guidance from and International Consultant in film production. The films are then screened by TV channels of respective countries The effort is to engage, challenge and inspire these young TV producers. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Hands-on training and capacity building | ||||
| Results / Comments: Series of PSAs of varying quality produced. In-country dissemination. Two of the PSA won best picture award from EU. Most TV producers conitue to work on HIV and AIDS related issue. | ||||
| Discussion: Young producers can be inspired to develop sensitive programmes. In the process of seeking information they tend to develop a healthy relationship with Civil Society Organisations, including community networks of positive people. Dispelling myths and misconceptions, breaking stereotypes especially gender and providing basic facts is a major challenge. The producers face enormous challenges in accessing reliable, accurate and relevant information in the local context. The e-platform formed an open source of mutual learning and is useful to advance the debate and discussion on controversial issues. This also helped producers to comment critically on their own programmes and to draw links or conclusions that are relevant to peers in other cultures. In addition to the above, what needs to be kept in mind is that the producers need to develop fundraising skills to secure additional funds (in resource-poor settings) for their films. At the same time, they need better negotiating skills with their Directors for additional time slots, as they often have to deal with media fatigue and burn-out. | ||||
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