austraLasia #2923
 
PNG: Long-awaited 'Digital Age' Course seems a great success

Port Moresby: 28 September 2011 -- Creative photographs, operating a camera and an introduction to social media were just some of the topics covered during the first day of the ‘Digital Age’ media course being held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI), in Boroko, Port Moresby. The media course has been organised by Fr. Ambrose Periera sdb, from the Solomon Islands, and who  has been involved in media education for over a decade. He is joined by two Australian animators, Carol Labbad and Jessica Whiting, who have previous experience in conducting media workshops in the Solomon Islands and who have an interest in communications.
     Participants from the Salesians of Don Bosco (sdb), Catholic Bishops Conference, DBTI and Don Bosco Technical School Gabutu have converged on the Emmaus Retreat Centre over several days, commencing 26 September and concluding on 28 September. Salesian Delegate to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Fr. Raffy Galve, welcomed the participants to the course with the message that all must be open to learning about digital media so to be able to use it in a positive way in their daily lives.                 Br Moise Palaku sdb, taking part in the course, says he enjoyed the dynamism of the sessions presented, and learning how to be creative when taking photographs. Participants watched the documentary War Photographer, about American James Nachtwey who, for more than 20 years, has ventured into conflict zones to capture images of destruction and devastation. 
     Carol Labbad reports on day two that everyone was " buzzing with excitement". They were keen to try out all the techniques that they had learned from the previous day and had also formed some friendships within the group. They proudly presented the beautiful and creative photos from the previous day which were based around two themes; Peace and the number fifty. This group activity encouraged students to use their imaginations and “…appreciate things from a new perspective”. The presentations of the day covered topics such as the importance of images in the ever-changing communications environment and the birth of YouTube. Participants worked in groups to come up with a visual story comprising five photographs to convey a message around their chosen theme. Themes included Global Warming, the power of the media, Freedom, Christmas, money and staying connected. The day concluded on a high as they were taken on a grand tour of EM TV. They were lucky enough to be ushered through each department of the television station by Nicole Jeune, Producer/Coordinator. This covered their extensive library, commercial, editing, news, vision, audio and presentation departments. Steven Spielberg’s powerful film ‘The Color Purple’ was screened at the end of the day.
    As the four day course winds up participants have been divided into groups and asked to write a script for a two minute film which tells a positive message, or explores an issue affecting their peers. They will put their lessons into action when they film and edit their scripts, ready for screening. Issues or messages being tackled by the participants include children’s rights and honesty.  Leader Carol Labbad says she is very pleased with the progress of the participants. “The program is extremely fast paced but the students are taking it all in very well, and learning many new things each day,” Carol says.
    ‘Digital Stories’ media course animators will  visit Don Bosco Technical School at Gabutu on Friday where they will conduct a one-day session with students.