SOUNDS OF LOISAIDA
The “Sounds of Loisaida” program is a socio-educational initiative designed to introduce a diverse group of young artists to the world of filming and audiovisual production. This six-week program, conducted in collaboration with Loisaida Inc., Lynkable, and Subterra Studio, features two weekly sessions. Supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the program aims to provide young people with a foundational understanding of film and video making through hands-on experience.
The program is more than just about music and videos. It’s about fostering a community of storytellers and musicians. Participants like Misa, Reina, and Anastazja learned how to craft and share their stories through music videos. The unique aspect of the program was the opportunity to work on each other’s projects, which allowed them to develop different roles of production assistance. The program, which ran for six weeks with additional weekend and evening sessions, culminated in a diverse series of printed and digital content, music videos, and other creative content shared through the LoisaidaTV platform. This variety of content was showcased in a performance inside a Lower East Side community garden, open for the general public to enjoy, showcasing the community engagement and the program’s impact.
Our hands-on methodology was the best approach. Each encounter allowed the interns to make contact with basic concepts in many areas of filmmaking, such as: Set Design, Camera basics, Lighting, Directing, Editing & Sound. As well as the following styles of Video: Music Videos, Interviews/Podcasts & Live Shows.
First Week:
- Day 1: Interns were introduced to cinema cameras, learning to set up the camera and accessories, and understanding basic camera settings such as FPS, ISO, aperture, aspect ratio, and file types.
- Day 2: Interns engaged in hands-on filming, setting up the set, learning the basics of set design, framing, camera angles, and movements, and shooting their first live music video.
Second Week:
- Day 1: A review of the first week’s learning, addressing doubts and curiosities, and planning the pre-production for the next filming session.
- Day 2: Interns learned about lighting, setting up lights, using false color and light meters to measure light exposure, and experimenting with RGB lights in their music video.
Third Week:
- Day 1: Continued review of previous learning, introduction to Davinci Resolve, a professional editing and color grading software, and basic concepts of editing.
- Day 2: Interns tested new professional TV broadcast lenses, discussed lenses’ effects on film, and further practiced set design and camera setup.
Fourth Week:
- Day 1: Deepened understanding of previous concepts, focused on editing techniques like reframing shots, zooming, and post-production camera movements.
- Day 2: Shot their fourth music video and conducted interviews with the band, gaining experience in interview techniques for shows and documentaries.
Fifth Week:
- Day 1: Preparation for two new show formats – a podcast and an interview show.
- Day 2: Set up for and recorded an interview with a young influencer and a podcast featuring interns discussing their experiences as part of Generation Z.
Sixth Week:
- Day 1: Preparation for the first live outdoor show.
- Day 2: Interns set up and filmed the live show with three cameras, followed by interviews with the musicians.
Final Balance: Despite the short duration, the program was deemed a success, with the hands-on methodology fostering self-confidence, expertise, and curiosity among the interns. The program not only improved their technical skills but also instilled values such as responsibility, leadership, comradery, and collaboration. Many interns expressed a desire to continue working with the organization and further explore filmmaking, particularly storytelling through documentaries and screenplay writing.
The program’s impact extended beyond its duration, as interns continued to participate in filming community events and expressed a keen interest in ongoing learning and collaboration with Loisaida Inc.
MUSIC VIDEOS
HARVEST FESTIVAL LIVE!
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.