‘I-Witness’ team gives tips to aspiring documentarists

The team of “I-Witness” was greeted by a young audience excited to watch and make documentary films.

If you think documentaries are strictly for “older” audiences, think again. High school and college students packed the Laguna’s Cultural Center for a day of documentary screenings by “I-Witness”, GMA-7’s flagship documentary program.

The docufest, organized by the Youth Development Affairs Office of Laguna, featured four documentaries: Sandra Aguinaldo’s “Appa, Sarangheyo (Papa, I love you),” Kara David’s “Lihim ng Lumang Tulay,” Jay Taruc’s “Tarima”, and Howie Severino’s “Kidnap”.

Among the students in attendance were aspiring journalists, broadcast communication majors, and contestants in an regional documentary competition. Sandra and Howie surprised the students with a phone-patch greeting to thank them for supporting documentary films.

After each screening, an open forum let students talk to “I-Witness” staff. Here are some of the conversations.

Q: Is it possible for to work at GMA and I-Witness even if I’m not from a Metro Manila school?

Adriene Cabalinan, researcher for Jay’s team: I’m telling you right now, you can make it. I’m from Mindanao; I graduated from Holy Cross of Davao College. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you went to school. What matters is what’s in your heart and what you can do.

Q: When you see cases of poverty, don’t you want to help them? In “Tarima”, one of the kids was paid P5 after a day’s work. Parang gusto mong abutan na lang ng kung anumang mayroon ka.

Allane Ordoñez, researcher for Sandra’s team: Kailangang tandaan mo ‘yung role mo. As media, you’re there to document their situation. Kapag nagbigay kaming mga staff, ginagawa na namin ‘yun as individuals.

Q: Sasali po kami sa documentary contest. Paano kayo pumipili ng subject para makagawa ng dokyu na meaningful?

Danz Maderazo, director for Sandra’s team: Nagsisumula ang lahat sa research sa pre-production. Subukan niyong maghanap ng kwento na kakaiba ang mga detalye, kahit pamilyar ang topic. Kunwari, marami nang nagawang dokyu tungkol sa child labor. Ang nagiging tanong, ano ang kakaiba sa kaso ng child labor na ito? Lahat ng bagay, gaano man kaliit o kalaki, may kwento. Kahit pa ‘yang bowtie na suot mo!

However, the team was in for a surprise when Derick Licop, a freshman at Laguna University taking up BA Communication Arts, took to the microphone.

“Araw-araw ko pong pinapanood ang mga replay niyo sa GMA News TV, ‘yung 6:30 AM. Eh 7:30 po ang pasok ko kaya palagi akong late,” he laughed. “Kaya ko nga kinuha ang kurso ko dahil pangarap kong maging respected journalist at mapabilang sa “I-Witness”.”

“[Mahalagang manood ng dokyu ang mga kabataan] upang mamulat sa maraming isyu na kumakaharap sa ating bansa,” he added. “Bilang kabataan at bilang mahirap, ito ang paraan upang ipadama na may pakialam tayo.” —CM, GMA News