Zambian Tales
BY CYNDI GREENING, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – On Saturday, we spent the morning recording Zambian storytellers in the woods behind the National Arts Center. It was a very surreal morning. Impalas wander the grounds freely and motorists are advised that the animals have the right of way on the roads. We saw large birds that resembled ravens except that they had white chests. The flock looked as though it were going to a formal event in their best tuxedos.
Then, we met with several aspiring Zambian filmmakers. The students and I presented how to light a set, use a boom mic, use wireless mics, apply make-up and make a stronger story. Several students were very brave and pitched their film ideas to us. Then we demonstrated how to build and use a steadicam and budget dolly. We also demonstrated the glidecam. Afterwards, we all went to the ARCADES (a strip mall) to have pizza together and talk some more. We did a radio interview to offer advice to beginning filmmakers in Zambia. The question here is the same as it is in the U.S. How do you find the money??