Published: Sept/Oct 2003
Theme: The All-Movie Issue
Cover: An original, mixed media depiction of film in the Caribbean by Barbadian artist Ewan Atkinson.
Contributors: Warren Alleyne, Carolle Bourne, Esther Jones, Mark Selman
BackPage Say #4
The Reel Deal
By Esther Jones
A lot has been said in the media about establishing a “film” industry in Barbados. First of all, let’s get the vernacular right. When the word “film” is used, it should imply using the medium of film. Do the pundits honestly mean shooting on film?
Currently in Hollywood, the “film” battle is being waged. In one corner, George Star Wars Lucas, supporter of the digital video format (and the forerunner in developing digital cameras that capture images similar in quality to film); in the next, Steven ET Spielberg, who claims he will shoot film even if there’s only one processing company left in the world. However, Hollywood is seeing the financial benefits of using digital video, and the move is on.
Film is complex. Shooting with a 16mm or 35mm moving-pictures film camera is more involved than using a digital in terms of lighting, loading and personnel. Alsom post-production entails processing, transferring, colourising, and syncing sound, all quite expensive and unattainable here in Barbados. Do we still mean film?
Let’s start by using the correct term. Let’s look at what we are really doing and continue to do it better. Presently our production companies shoot digital video primarily—now that’s our industry.
At least government is talking about having a film board, but talk is cheap. Carefully researched plans and an infusion of serious money are what this industry needs. The Bajan digital video industry must be a platform where our stories are told in a variety of styles and genres. To achieve this takes training, equipment and knowledge of the industry from all its various sides.
We have to see our market as international—our stories can and do sell abroad. These stories have been about our music, our food, our literature, our martial arts, our art, our carnivals, our wildlife—told largely in documentaries and, we hope, increasingly in features. So developing base companies that rovide special effects and medium-appropriate makeup, costumes/wardrobe, equipment rentals, studio space, tape stocks, and other useful gadgets is important, not only for Barbadian production companies but to encourage regional and internationa production companies to shoot in Barbados.
The talent is here, so are the ideas. Now let’s be real. Let’s plan this “film” thing out and really have an industry that will take our stories to the world.
This guest editorial is by Esther Jones, a freelance writer who has worked in the film industry in Canada and the United States.
