Matt
New site updated!!!
14/07/08 20:01
Finally, we’re making some big steps. It took a little while to get everything underway, but you can’t stop us now! Be sure to visit the media gallery to watch a slideshow of photos taken in Mathare, it’ll really give you a sense of what we’re doing and why we needed to help.
And guess what?? A trailer of the movie is coming soon!
-M
And guess what?? A trailer of the movie is coming soon!
-M
Kryptonite
18/12/07 00:02
We've been very busy, extremely even, so much so that Adam said that this is the most amount of work he's ever done in such a short amount of time. Makin films baby, good times. But We both realized our kryptonites.
Mine are shananagans. Those are things that aren't organized, and random or chaotic without an overarching goal. I would characterize a good amount of the way of life here as shanana-licuos. Our team is fantastic and amazing, but the culture here is so different from the US, and well, shananagans are my kryptonite. The other day I told adam that my shananagan meter exploded, so besides being tired, busy, stressed, I've also been sometimes frustrated with the culture shock.
Adam's Kryptonite he joking said a minute ago, is slow internet. I'm a bit accustomed to that, but the infrastructure here is very different too. For example, the number key on this keyboard, between digits 5 and 7, doesn't work. Yesterday, we shot 5+1 interviews, and a lot of B-roll.
Our real krypotine beyond superficial frustrations, is the situation we're witnessing in Mathare. Yesterday was our toughest day yet I'd say, physically and mentally. It was a full on slum-hike, and we came back wrecked and disgusted, stinky and filthy. I don't think I've ever taken a hotter shower, needed to burn it off. For us, we're so unaccustomed to things that we're pansies in comparison. The people that live there, LIVE THERE. I don't know, but yesterday, a single day really did a number on us.
The good news is that almost all of our work is done now, and today is a light but busy day. Wed. and thurs. we'll be finishing up digitizing and packing, no word yet on how much footage, but its a lot. Ok, we'll give one more update Thursday before we fly out, but I can say we're both pretty happy about going home soon.
-Matt
Mine are shananagans. Those are things that aren't organized, and random or chaotic without an overarching goal. I would characterize a good amount of the way of life here as shanana-licuos. Our team is fantastic and amazing, but the culture here is so different from the US, and well, shananagans are my kryptonite. The other day I told adam that my shananagan meter exploded, so besides being tired, busy, stressed, I've also been sometimes frustrated with the culture shock.
Adam's Kryptonite he joking said a minute ago, is slow internet. I'm a bit accustomed to that, but the infrastructure here is very different too. For example, the number key on this keyboard, between digits 5 and 7, doesn't work. Yesterday, we shot 5+1 interviews, and a lot of B-roll.
Our real krypotine beyond superficial frustrations, is the situation we're witnessing in Mathare. Yesterday was our toughest day yet I'd say, physically and mentally. It was a full on slum-hike, and we came back wrecked and disgusted, stinky and filthy. I don't think I've ever taken a hotter shower, needed to burn it off. For us, we're so unaccustomed to things that we're pansies in comparison. The people that live there, LIVE THERE. I don't know, but yesterday, a single day really did a number on us.
The good news is that almost all of our work is done now, and today is a light but busy day. Wed. and thurs. we'll be finishing up digitizing and packing, no word yet on how much footage, but its a lot. Ok, we'll give one more update Thursday before we fly out, but I can say we're both pretty happy about going home soon.
-Matt
1st Tuesday- Matt
14/12/07 02:24
Tuesday evening update:
Well, things are too crazy and busy to go into detail on everything, but here’s a quick rundown so far:
5 days so far
2 tired filmmakers
Lots of Fanta and Coca Cola Light
A million crazy Matatus (mini buses loaded to bursting with people)
1 pickpocket attempt
2 funny Santa Claus’s:
1) mechanical, white, and half sized, singing very poorly to American songs
2) Real life, African Santa, who said that Santa was hungry and likes yogurt.
-Both at the Nakumat, (like a mini-walmart)
Anyway…
A youth group working on their 2nd anniversary
1 giant slum
700,000 people, (up from a half million in previous research)
Lots of new friends
A bunch of really good footage
…and a compelling story trying to get told.
So that’s where we are so far. The project has grown, but not in depth of field, it is still focused. I am working with members of the youth group as crew, as there was interest, and I’ve been teaching some basic camera operation. Today was the first time that they shot some footage, and the plan is to continue working with them to augment the footage I shoot and let them grow with the project as they help make it come to fruition. I hope to incorporate much of what they shoot into the story, this is allowing me to really pursue the story, and direct the whole operation. Hopefully these skills can help them if they decide to pursue a job in journalism, Africa has a large portion of news coverage filled by freelancers.
We’ve got about 25-30 interviews we want to conduct, and we’ve got only about 4 done. The planning and strategy is now there, its just a matter of working hard for the next week and a half! Wow, it is so long and so short at the same time. We’ve got a very hectic schedule, and each day is turning into a blur, but we will do it!
Ok, that’s it for now,
Love from Nairobi - Matt
Well, things are too crazy and busy to go into detail on everything, but here’s a quick rundown so far:
5 days so far
2 tired filmmakers
Lots of Fanta and Coca Cola Light
A million crazy Matatus (mini buses loaded to bursting with people)
1 pickpocket attempt
2 funny Santa Claus’s:
1) mechanical, white, and half sized, singing very poorly to American songs
2) Real life, African Santa, who said that Santa was hungry and likes yogurt.
-Both at the Nakumat, (like a mini-walmart)
Anyway…
A youth group working on their 2nd anniversary
1 giant slum
700,000 people, (up from a half million in previous research)
Lots of new friends
A bunch of really good footage
…and a compelling story trying to get told.
So that’s where we are so far. The project has grown, but not in depth of field, it is still focused. I am working with members of the youth group as crew, as there was interest, and I’ve been teaching some basic camera operation. Today was the first time that they shot some footage, and the plan is to continue working with them to augment the footage I shoot and let them grow with the project as they help make it come to fruition. I hope to incorporate much of what they shoot into the story, this is allowing me to really pursue the story, and direct the whole operation. Hopefully these skills can help them if they decide to pursue a job in journalism, Africa has a large portion of news coverage filled by freelancers.
We’ve got about 25-30 interviews we want to conduct, and we’ve got only about 4 done. The planning and strategy is now there, its just a matter of working hard for the next week and a half! Wow, it is so long and so short at the same time. We’ve got a very hectic schedule, and each day is turning into a blur, but we will do it!
Ok, that’s it for now,
Love from Nairobi - Matt
Matt's Intro
25/09/07 20:50
This documentary will be made with equipment and situations chosen to accentuate the harsh realities of the slum and the determination of people dedicating their lives to making Mathare better. This will be my first time in Africa, but not my first time in harsh shooting conditions. With the help of our ground support in Mathare and Adam's travel experience, we'll be able to make a documentary that achieves the goals described on this website. We'll continue to update this online journal as this project progresses.