CREW REVIEWS

I enjoyed my experience with Actuality Media overall. It provided a great opportunity to gain film experience while traveling a foreign country. However I expected to learn more from the workshops, and also more flexibility in the production process. Instead we were given a formula that our film had to adhere to and our film ended up looking like a commercial in the end.

Quito, Ecuador is an extraordinary country. It is surrounded with picturesque scenery and some of the most humble people you will ever meet. The culture is unlike any other. It is a place where you can travel short distances for a paradise mini-vacation, eat more food for far less money than you would in the U.S., and where you can get to interact with the natives. The people of Quito show so much pride in their country. You can tell by the way they talk about it to you. Although Quito is a beautiful country, some parts are quite dangerous, and if not careful, you can find yourself with empty pockets. The instructors made it clear in the beginning that we, as foreigners, would have to be extremely careful when using public transportation, and also when walking through rough towns. This was an unfortunate lesson that some of my crew learned the hard way. Overall, though, my experience was mind-blowing. You come to appreciate all that you have in comparison to the people living in poverty. You find yourself wanting to learn a person’s story, even if you don’t get to film it. You find yourself going back home and sharing your experience with someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to travel abroad. It’s definitely not a perfect place, but there is no such place. Every country has beauty and ugly. Internship Placement: The academic portion was great. Every session at base camp was a brand new experience. My crew especially liked the documentary screenings. They helped illustrate what the instructors were explaining to us. Sometimes, though, it was too late to watch documentaries. Cultural Immersion: The culture of Quito is definitely different from my hometown in the U.S. Most of the time my crew and I were on our own to find our way around, which wasn’t really a bad thing. It forces us to interact with the natives and see what it was like being in a different country. The only negative thing about this was that the crime and dangers that lurk around in Quito. Since we were foreigners, we were at high risk for theft and gang violence. Therefore, we always had to be extremely aware of our surroundings. Program Administration: For CENIT, we had multiple problems finding a story. The organization was very hesitant in letting us film and for a while we thought we were going to leave Quito empty-handed. Apparently, the official form allowing us to film the organization was never signed. We had so many obstacles to overcome with the organization’s manager and his associates. Therefore, we spent most of our pre-production week trying to negotiate instead of finding a story to film. The instructors did their best to try and reach a compromise with the organization. Health and Safety: If you are extremely aware of your surroundings you will have nothing to worry about, but we heard stories from volunteers that they have had knives pulled on them before. Also, my roommate got pick-pocketed on the bus and my friend got her phone stolen in town. It’s frustrating at times because you’re afraid to have any money on you at all. I kept my most important possessions in my shoes. Social Life: The people in Quito are very kind and friendly; however, I get the feeling they try to take advantage of you if they catch on that you don’t know their language well. Other than that, social life was good

My experience in Kenya was an enjoyable one. The instructors that we had, Matthew Barwick and Loria King, were great in giving their suggestions along with listening to ours. They never just shot anyone’s idea down completely. However, I wish that we didn’t have to stick with just one format in making a documentary because there are soooo many ways to produce one. However, like I said, it was a very accelerated program with only a month to plan, shoot, and edit to documentary. It was tough, but I am so glad I had the experience. I am an editor at home, and as editor on this trip, I definitely learned a lot about myself in terms of my creativity and how I work. The country that we got to work in was beautiful. I mean, it’s Africa. However I wasn’t too much of a fan of our accommodations. We were put in a pretty dull hotel right in the middle of a common town area in Kisumu, Kenya. Though it made for great explorations of the town area, I did sometimes wonder if the natives just saw money symbols on our forehead. I just wished we would’ve stayed in a more tourist friendly spot for safety reasons, like our stuff being stolen since we are media students after all. Overall, I am so glad I got to have the opportunity and learn more about something that I love. I regret nothing. Internship Placement: I did learn a lot. However, I wish we would’ve learned how to work with different styles of documentaries, but I do understand that it is an accelerated program and that the videos are more about the people affected by the organization. So I can understand why only the conflict driven approach is taught. Cultural Immersion: I really enjoyed my stay there. I loved being able to just learn how to live within that culture. Although, I personally wish we could’ve had some better accommodations. The particular hotel that we stayed in did have some problems in the rooms, mainly in the bathrooms. Also, I do appreciate being immersed with the culture, but just like with other places, natives will look at travelers as money…which could lead to some unfortunate events. Our hotel was in the heart of the town area, and people were in and out of the hotel. Seeing that we are media students, that could pose some problems. On the flip side, being in the town gave us reasons to go out and explore on out own as a group. So, I guess I’m kind of torn in between my views and experiences. But overall, I’m very glad I took part in it. Program Administration: Our instructors/mentors, Loria and Matthew, were very helpful and were pretty available when we needed it. Robin, although not there in person, was very responsive to emails. Health and Safety: I really wasn’t too concerned about my safety, however I was concerned about our possessions. A Note to all travelers out there…..GET TRAVELERS INSURANCE. You never know what could happen. After all, we were in a 3rd world country. If they know that a group of people with nice things are staying in town for 30days, they can get pretty tempted. I advise only taking stuff you’re not afraid to lose. Social Life: We were kinda of in the equivalent of a country town back in the states. We did live down the street from a club, so that was cool.

If you are an emerging filmmaker looking to travel, meet awesome people making a difference, and work in documentary, this program is made for you!! It’s a great affordable option for hands-on immersive learning for young filmmakers hungry to travel. An unforgettable experience and well worth it. 🙂 Internship Placement: Coming from a film school background, there was information that I had already learned, but was good for beginners to know. I did enjoy the documentary film screenings we had and the discussions that followed. Cultural Immersion: The opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture in addition to making a film was amazing. Having weekends off allowed us the chance to travel around the area and explore the culture. Program Administration: If I ever had any questions, they were always answered well and in a timely manner. I was kept updated in the months and weeks leading up to the trip which really helped in my preparation for the program.

This was an incredible experience, and I’m so glad I went. Making an entire short film in a month is a daunting endeavor, especially when there is a language barrier. Actuality Media provided great mentors, however in my particular case, they didn’t do a great job of setting up things before hand with our chosen organization. (They are still new, and are learning from these mistakes). Overall, the month I spent in Quito was highly stressful at times, an amazing learning experience, and an opportunity to meet and befriend amazing people who are truly impacting the world. Internship Placement: I learned a lot in a short amount of time. Cultural Immersion: I definitely felt some culture shock! Which means there was some good cultural immersion. Program Administration: Actuality Media didn’t do a great job communicating with our organization ahead of time. It’s already difficult to make a documentary in a month, but add the fact that they aren’t expecting you to be there and don’t have changemaker ideas makes it even harder. Health and Safety: I generally felt safe, but the hotel was in a sketchy area of the city. Social Life: Very social, but the hotel didn’t provide good spaces for being social.

This was one of the best experiences of my life so far and I wouldn’t trade my time in Cambodia for anything. I learned so much and I made some great friends. I walked away with a short documentary that I can show my professors and potential employers. I recommend this outreach to anyone who wants to experience an exciting and intriguing culture. Internship Placement: I learned a fun and effective way to make a short documentary that I can be proud of. Cultural Immersion: I got to know many great people and had a wonderful time meeting the locals. Program Administration: The food situation was resolved but other than that, good job. Health and Safety: Siem Reap in itself is pretty safe. Yamato’s security was almost nonexistent but the staff there was very nice. Social Life: Made some awesome friends and loved hanging with the locals

It’s been over a year since I’ve returned from shooting a short documentary with three other peers through Actuality Media. Words can’t describe what a truly amazing experience it was, and if you’re thinking about it, there’s only a few things to consider before you make the jump and commit to shooting a doco abroad. The key thing you must be able to do is to have an open mind to the culture you are travelling to experience. Read up on the history of the country and its people. Be sure to check your western biases at the airport before you leave, because you’re going to experience a lifestyle that pushes you out of your comfort zone (especially if it’s your first time abroad). It was my first time travelling to a developing country, and in hindsight, I am so pleased to say that going through Actuality Media was the best possible (and safest and funnest) way I could have experienced Kenya. Sure, you’ll get to experience the touristy aspects of the city you go to, but you also get to experience the day-to-day life of the community you are serving and studying for your documentary. The other aspect of your decision to travel with Actuality is that you must be willing to work hard and learn quickly. Audrey and Robin were excellent teachers and teach you everything you need to know, but you have to be willing to put in just as much work. You’re not embarking on a typical vacation; you’re creating a documentary to help serve your topic changemaker. Researching and creating my documentary was truly the biggest takeaway from my experience because my peers and I built such incredible relationships with the people involved. We experienced Nairobi through an authentic lens by listening to community members and spending many of our days with them. My summer abroad with Actuality Media is a treasured experience in my heart, and I highly encourage you to travel with them if you are willing to keep an open heart/mind, work hard, and push yourself beyond your comfort. If you do these things, Actuality Media will meet you halfway and provide one of the greatest experiences of your life.

Our entire group decided to take one of our weekends off to travel to San Pedro, a neighboring town that catered a bit more to tourists. We all enjoyed spending time together, and getting to know everyone in the group a bit better, and learn where they were from. We also got to know the locals and a different atmosphere of Guatemala a bit better. I chose my program because of the opportunity to work as an editor on a film while getting to travel somewhere I had never been. It was my first time traveling abroad, which was exciting, and as a journalism student, it gave me the opportunity to learn something completely different. It gave me new ideas on how to deliver stories, and how to capture my visions for said story. We stayed in hostels, and breakfast/dinner were provided for us. We were also given translators, since English was very rarely spoken by anyone in the area.

My most memorable experience was working with the change maker organization. They were very friendly and I felt what they were doing for the community was inspirational. Hearing the stories of their success and what it translated to made me want to work for them. Overall, there were many memorable moments, I think just living in Kenya for a month was really the best part. I chose this program because I wanted to make a documentary about a culture I was unfamiliar with. I was also recommended to Actuality Media by a student at my school who took part in the program and had nothing but glowing reviews to say. It appealed to me very much and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Our living situation was fantastic. We were provided breakfast and dinner every day by smiling faces. The actual place we stayed at was a sports academy that had very loving and friendly people. I think we were very spoiled by the people who put us up!

My most memorable experience was the daily routine of living in the hostel, working on the film, and becoming familiar in a city that was once foreign to me. This program fit everything I was looking for — a study abroad program that I could use for college credit and toward my filmmaking career as a documentary filmmaker. I lived in a hostel in a room with four bunk beds, so I was sharing a room with 7 other people from Actuality. The hostel was very accommodating and I made friends with the hostel staff and other travelers who were staying in the hostel.