The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

CELEBRATING the talent of young Bahamian filmmakers and actors from across the Bahamas, the FilMAD Camp 2013 recently presented a sold out night of films at Galleria Cinemas JFK.

This FilMAD Summer Program, which is the acronym for “Film, Movement, Art and Drama” is organised by Moya Thompson in conjunction with her production company C2it Productions.

According to attendees of the event, the room was filled to capacity as parents and friends of the campers came out in support.

“Bahamians flocked to see exactly what happens when you tell a seven-year old to write her own screen play or invite another seven-year old behind the lens for the first time, or put a group of young, budding actors on a movie set and yell, action! While we are accustomed to seeing minors on the big screen, we are not accustomed to seeing Bahamian minors,” said Patrice Francis, an attendee of the premiere.

In an interview with Tribune Entertainment, Ms Thompson said this past summer over 20 students participated in the FilMAD camp for children and teenagers, between the ages of five and seventeen.

“The premiere is just a combination of the entire film camp process. I am trying to introduce them to the process of film-making which is from idea to treatment, from script to production. I think it is only fair that when you end it, you end it with a premiere on a big screen,” said Moya.

During the camp’s first year, Moya said the films were submitted to local television stations after the premiere.

“Our first year in 2011 we submitted to ZNS and they played those for a time, and the second year I submitted to Cable 12 and they are playing them now actually. It is just a matter of process,” said Moya.

This year’s students, concentrated on telling stories based on actual events from their lives. The films from 7 year old Leah Hunt and Ava Donald, 12 year old Allana Knowles, and 13 year old Tyara Minnis and Ryan Stubbs covered themes such as autism, bullying, friendship, family, road safety and communication. And in recognition of the country’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, the films also featured the Bahamas as a backdrop, through its scenery and some of its featured music.

Singer and actress, Leah Hunt who has attended all three FilMAD camps said she was pleased to have finally written her first film, “The Busy Mother”, which is loosely based on a true story. Ryan Stubbs who shined this year as both a writer and an actor in two of the films, felt that everyone should realise that filmmaking and acting takes a lot of work and a lot of time.

Ava Donald had her first experience at camp this year and described her experience as “fun”. Writer/Director Allana Knowles said she enjoyed every aspect of camp and filmmaking.

While Tyara Minnis did not enjoy having to do homework and having to re-take shots when filming, she said her overall experience at camp was fun and is looking forward to next year’s camp.

“I don’t think it is a matter of getting better or easier each year because each year I get a new set of kids. Last year we had a few kids from the first year and this year we had one kid from last year. I can say that the camp is beneficial to them in a sense that it is a working camp and it involves the arts. So for kids who are into acting, writing and that kind of thing, I think this is a place for them. You have kids who come and I can honestly say that it is not their thing or they are not prepared for the work, especially when it comes to coming up with your own ideas. If they are not into writing, they are going to have a challenge,” said Moya.

Moya said this year’s final product was the smoothest premiere show since she first started in 2011.

“Every year they are received very well and people respond to different movies. What gave me pleasure was seeing it and then seeing people enjoy it; knowing that we have young people who can do it,” said Moya.