The Creative Communicators Society of Adamson University (CreaComms) exhibited its second workshop for young aspiring members of Comm-Unity with the theme of “Spotlight 2: Understanding the Field of Digital Media” held at JP AVR last Saturday, October 13, 2018.
The seminar was set to hone the creative minds of the students in the field of scriptwriting, photography, and videography. It was also a sequent from the previous forum named “Spotlight: Understanding the Field of Performing Arts” held last January 17, 2018.
CreaComms Academic Director, Francis Jay Acosta, officially welcomed the audience as he delivered his opening remarks. Aside from the nifty performances of G-Circle, the event was housed by some creative professionals in the world of digital media which was spearheaded by Mr. Gian Carlo Isidro, Mr. Josh Ke, and Mr. Jorel Valmores to share their craftsmanship, experiences, and knowledge on their respective fortes.
Mr. Gian Carlo Isidro, an alumnus of Colegio De San Juan De Letran and a scriptwriter from ABS-CBN, conducted his talk by sharing all his experiences and expertise in the field of scriptwriting. It was in 2012 when Isidro started his career in ABS-CBN as a catalog writer, which he admitted was his least-favorite job because of its nature. From that situation, he ventured to another job post as a researcher in “Kris TV” and then later on became a scriptwriter in “Magandang Buhay”.
While sharing his personal experiences as a writer, Isidro also shared his knowledge and learnings in scriptwriting. He started discussing the difference between narrative and non-narrative script writing.
“Sa narrative, ikaw yung gumawa ng kwento. It’s perfectly created in your head. Ito gusto ko yung character na ito, ganito yung personality niya. For a talk show, you have people or “subject” na ginagamit” (Narrative writing is when you create your stories and it’s perfectly created in your mind.
You choose your characters and how they should be portrayed. While for talk show, non-narrative is when you have your audience or people and you let the story comes/connect to them. A “subject” must be presented as well), Isidro explained. He also reminded that no matter what kind of writing styles you choose, the common denominator of these two is that they both have stories to tell. His expertise is non-narrative writing.
In the process of writing, Isidro also stressed that the most important tool a writer must have is a good research. It’s crucial that one writer must invest his efforts and time in researching so that he must be able to produce masterpieces and stories which are worth telling and sharing.
“Writers are creative individuals,” said Isidro. He also believes that all writers are expected to have taste, impartiality, sympathy-empathy, sensitivity, wide-knowledge, and broad-mindedness. Taste can be acquired or can be developed. In order for you to have a good taste in writing, you must have an exposure. You expose yourself by watching varieties of TV shows with different formats. An impartial writer must not be biased with his own craft. You collect feedbacks from others so that it’d help you distinguish opportunities in making better stories. Sympathy and empathy works both ways for the writer. It’s significant for all writers not only for them to feel their audience but also on how to put themselves on the shoes of their readers. Sensitivity entails the nuances of every individual, to have a creative mind you should know how to read between the lines. Be sensitive and always mindful with your words. Reading a lot makes a person to have a wide-knowledge. And lastly, to become a creative individual you must open yourself to criticisms, in that way, it will help you produce good stories.
Every person has a story to tell. “Each and every person in this room, mayroon tayong bubog. As creative individual or a writer, we use that bubog to write. To create something” (Each and every person in this room has their “bubog”. As a creative individual or a writer, we use that “bubog” to create stories.), shared by Isidro when he recalled his workshop experiences with the best and finest writer, Mr. Ricky Lee.
“It happens all the time, so what I do, I disconnect myself from that certain script (project). I take a break for a while and refresh my mind”, Isidro when asked about how he deals with writer’s block and how he overcomes it.
In the field of photography, Mr. Joshua Ke, a product of Colegio de San Lorenzo and now a professional photographer and filmmaker shared his insights about his profession. He was a sophomore way back in his college life when he soon realized that his passion falls into photography. However, his parents were not in favor with this one, instead, they wanted him to pursue courses inclined to medical field. But that didn’t stop Ke to pursue his dreams.
“Photography is like a continuous craft”, Ke as he defined photography. He believes that with constant learning process and application of your skills, you’d be able to master photography.
He also stressed that collaboration plays a vital role in the world of photography. It will teach you on how you deal with other people and will bring you to right clients. He believes that in order for you to become a successful photographer, you must know how to collaborate with other people.
Ke also mentioned that it doesn’t matter which college or university a person came from. He encouraged the audience to let go of that entitlement. What really matters is your contribution on a certain project, how you work hard on that, and he emphasized that skills are really important.
“Personal brand – it’s what people see in you even if you’re not there”, creating your own brand as an artist is substantial in order for you to get noticed in the creative industry. Having said, he added in his discussion how social media affects your personal brand. He explained that what you post on social media as an artist has a ripple effect on your career - advised everyone to be responsible and sensitive when posting their content.
As a growing creative, Ke encouraged everyone to stay motivated. It’s important that no matter how challenging life can get, you must not lose your drive to continue that passion. “Kailangan yung circle of friends mo, positive parati,” (Your circle of friends must be positive at all times), he added. He also inspired everyone to choose the people you surround with – those people who will lift you up, will motivate you, and inspire you to become a better artist.
“Huwag maging complacent, ayun talaga ang pinaka-key” (Don’t be complacent, that’s the key), when asked about in dealing with his small victories in the creative industry. In doing contents, the same excitement must always be there. “Try to reinvent, do something new,” he added.
The third speaker, is no other than Mr. Jorel Valmores, the pride of De La Salle – College of St. Benilde. Valmores is one of the young professionals who’s making his limelight in the field of videography and filmmaking. He started his career at the age of seventeen to pursue his passion as a videographer. At a very young age, he believes that age doesn’t matter as long as you are equipped and experienced in the field.
Valmores shared his tips in videography to young aspirants - from the basics of camera parts and its functions to application itself. “Maximize your equipment. Work with what you have,” he advised the audience to be practical in choosing or buying equipment. You don’t need a grand tool to become an effective videographer.
“Lighting is the key,” as he discussed on how to take a good quality photo or video. As a videographer, he insisted to the learners that a good lighting creates a masterpiece and conveys a deeper story on that picture or video. He also talked about tips on choosing good audible sounds.
As a young videographer, he had faced a lot of challenges in pursuit of his career. When he was just starting, he felt overwhelmed in facing all those pioneers in the industry. He gave a heads-up to everyone that it’s typical for starters that they’d encounter entitled professionals. “Always be prepared for every criticisms,” as Valmores shared when dealing with these pioneers. Instead of putting yourself down, take those criticisms as your stepping stones.
Just like the previous speaker, Valmores believes in doing collaboration. “Collab lang kayo nang collab with each other kahit walang bayad yan” (Do collaboration with others even if it’s not paid), he added. Starters should also expose themselves with “ExDeals” – this is when both artists get something (paid) for their content.
It’s important as well for young learners to socialize with other photographers and videographers. Valmores also added that when socializing with other professionals, you must know how to connect with higher people.
Throughout his journey as a young videographer, Valmores has been enthusiastic in learning basics through self-study. On his spare time, he watches tutorial videos of editing on YouTube.
“Ang clients kasi hindi nila alam na mahirap mag-edit at mahirap mag-shoot. Ang akala lang nila sobrang dali” (Clients don’t really understand how difficult it is to edit and shoot. They always think it’s easy”), said Valmores about dealing with revisions. He added that no matter what happens, refrain from having that bad attitude towards your clients.
“Keep in touch,” Valmores believes that clients consider “friendly” videographers rather than those professionals or experienced but lack with respect.
Valmores ended his workshop with a quote, “Comfort is the enemy of progress” by P.T Barnum. He challenged everyone to avoid slacking off, and to take their time in exploring and learning new stuff in this field.
Wrapping off the event, it was filled with lots of takeaways that every young aspirants will carry on as they pursue their endeavors in the field of digital media. This successful workshop has opened the eyes of these hopefuls to always stay motivated, to expose themselves to new experiences and learnings, lastly to inspire others by telling their stories regardless of what platforms they will use – be it in writing, photography, and film.