Working Like a Dog
BY CYNDI GREENING, PHOENIX, USA - Jabbes once told me that dogs are not allowed in the house in Zambia. In fact, dogs are generally chased away. That wouldn't be too good for Kayla. She travels well but will be staying behind while I'm in Zambia. Jabbes in I will be leaving in little more than a month now. I've been reminded that I need to get my paperwork done. (There are always so many forms to be filled out.)
It's been an exhausting week. One of the reasons I wanted to have a blog for the films is so other people could see what we all are going through to make a film happen -- the good and the not so good. The students have shared their tremendous passion for making the films and creating a cultural exchange with Zambia. They are showing how focused they are on getting these films made. They're ready. A tight crew has formed. As the producer, raising the funds, getting the equipment in place and making sure all the "right" people are getting on board is part of my job. It's a big job. It's an exhausting job. It seems like something "big" happens every 16 hours or so. Sometimes good. Sometimes challenging.
Jabbes told me he's working on a blog post called, "I want to make a film." He said it's such a little line but people have no idea what it takes to make that happen. He and I have been working hard since January. Now, things are opening up more and there is more support. For a long time, it was just the two of us.
Sometimes, I get stressed out and grumpy. I feel the weight of this project on my back. So many dreams, goals and desires. The feature film. The documentary. The training and teaching. The long-term educational exchange. Thus far, people are getting on board and helping to push the dream forward. It helps to lighten the load a bit.
This weekend, we're having a gathering so everyone can relax and celebrate our successes thus far and prepare for the successes off the future. We'll put up some photo so you can share in the down time as well as the prep time.