Self-expression in the age of Digital Video Production

 “Digital media serves as a vehicle of communication. Nowadays, young Filipinos are already capable of making their own videos. But then, this use of digital media could lead to distorted values and commercialism.” — Nick Lizaso, multi-awarded television and stage director

Cellphones, video cameras and computers make it so easy to make a video nowadays.

Let’s face it. We have our own share of videos uploaded in our YouTube or Friendster accounts. We’ve enjoyed editing outputs and posted them over the Internet.

Indi (short for independent film) had also occupied a niche in the market. Cinemalaya, for example, has empowered young filmmakers to produce movies at a lower cost.

Digital Media Production has become a means of self-expression.

Thus, multi-awarded stage, TV and film director-educator Nick Lizaso and his team under Asian Environmental Resource Center (AERC) will a two-day workshop on digital video production on November 7-8 at Rm. 312 Dona Luisa Bldg, Fuente Osmena, Cebu City.

In a press conference held last October 20 at the Cebu Midtown Hotel, Nick Lizaso explained the current status of the Philippine film industry.

“The age of digital media has provided us a vehicle of communication. Nowadays, young Filipinos are already capable of making their own videos. But then, this use of digital media could lead to distorted values and commercialism,” he stressed.

With his wide experience in theater and in film directing, Lizaso believes he will be able to share his learning through the workshop.

The First Digital Video Production aims to develop young Filipino talents through digital communication, with focus on how they too can help address prevalent environmental issues and other societal problems.

With a registration fee of P5000, the workshop will tackle all aspects of digital video production: production management, scriptwriting, production design, videography, directing, and editing and post production.

One of the resource speakers is Roy Iglesias, head writer of GMA-7.

Lizaso added that the workshop will be a hands-on training. “That’s how we do it in workshops. We don’t teach people. We guide them in learning. The participants tell us what they know and from there we guide them as they learn more.”

At the end of the workshop, the participants will produce their own videos on any subject related to environmental awareness and nature conservation. 

“This is very helpful to the media industry because we get to give the audience an alternative of what’s usually seen on television. Plus, we’re promoting good values,” Lizaso said, also pointing out that the youth would make good cinematic story tellers.

Aside from the registration fee, no pre-qualification requirement is needed for the workshop.

Just “special interest in filmmaking.”

Because available slots are limited, AERC has advised interested participants to reserve their slots in advance. Call 255-7990 or 253-7620.