Music soothes mind

Investigating health issues

Media plays a vital role in disseminating health and medical information, news affecting the knowledge and health beliefs of the public . Medical and health issues are of interest to many people and are commonly reported as they have impact on their medical behaviour and awareness. Concepts of health depend on how well a medical condition is understood, a person's age, class and the expectations about a person's economic and social roles.

Many of the investigative stories about health rely on research (made accessible to audience and explaining the impacts). 

Therefore the journalist must have an idea on what he/she is reporting, have knowledge of how science, medicine and research work and be aware of the context within which they operate. An investigative journalist have to know basic biomedical concepts. 

Biomedicine has its own language. Sometimes words or terms used by doctors, nurses and researchers may be very difficult to understand or never heard to the journalist and the audience, so by doing research the journalist will gain knowledge and have an understanding on how medical research works. This will make his/her investigation easy. Using biomedical research will help the journalist to decide whether the information given is useful or even accurate and find a way how to communicate it to the audience. 

Journalists are the required to create awareness ( informing and educating the public on health related issue). 

Biggest health stories come from issues that are accepted as normal part of life, and it is not considered important enough to worry people with the power to make a difference. For example some of this are; the effects of chronic Malaria, health conditions resulting from poverty like diarrhoea and high incidence of cancer among people living near riverbeds. 

Start an investigation by asking the community members about health issues, talking to health practitioners and clinic staff. 

Journalist have to be aware of ; new medications /drugs, wellness ( including foods, alcohol, depression etc.) 

Issues like foods, travel costs to get to the clinics, or community support are not usually considered aspects of health in biomedical framework although they are biggest constraints to the society. 

Sources of health information 

• Local communities 

• Community health and education centres (like libraries, or clinics). 

• Government or organization 

• Health experts

• Medical journal

Different views on health and illness

Information collected on health issues is always influenced by the point of view of the person or organization providing that information. 

A journalist investigating on health condition must always know its basic issues. These are; how does a person develop this condition?, How do people believe it develops?, Is it transmitted from another person? How does it happen?, Is it environmental or work related? Why? 

To wrap it up, people have very different ideas on what health and illness mean. Most international bodies use Biomedicine to evaluate health issues. Published biomedical research is a good place to look for stories, but the journalist have to be clear on why she/he have chosen that topic for research. It is important for an investigative journalist to always know basic concepts of health related issues so that he/she give correct information to the public. Finally, it is important for an investigative journalist to research(find out) the basic information about health issues before starting with his/her investigation. 

Editing for TV

Editing is a process of manipulating, selecting and arranging shots, adding or removing sections of video clips and/or audio clips, choosing their order, their duration and combining individual shots in a specific order.

It is considered to be part of post-production process including mixing of video footage with music, sound effects, audio and special effects and put it in a particular order. This is where the material that has been shot is blended together to form a convincing, persuasive presentation.

Editing goals

There are many reason to edit a video. Editing will depend on the desired outcome that will be accepted by the audience. But before editing begin the editor can clear idea on his/her editing goals which are to assemble material into sequential fashion, correct mistakes by trimming  them out or by covering them with another footage and also to create, enhance, embellish and bring to life images and events that once captured live.

During editing process the editor put together different video by simply cutting the various video tapes pieces together into proper sequences.

Trimming away unwanted footage to make it shorter. Selection of only best material for final edit ( several versions are shot and only the best one is chosen when editing).

Correcting mistakes by cutting unnecessary parts and/or replacing them with the good ones.

To create a flow, the video editor the videos are well edited, he/she can add extra video or extra elements like effects, graphics, music can give a flow in the way which achieves this goal.

A good editor will be able to create subtle mood prompts in a video. Techniques such as mood music and visual effects can influence how the audience will react.

To give a video a particular angle, video can be tailored to support a particular viewpoint, impart a message or serve an agenda.

 

Shooting order VS Running order

Sometimes the action is shot from the start to finish. Only sections of the total action may be deliberately shot, omitting unwanted action. The action may be repeated so that it can be shot from various position. A series of similar subjects may be shot that reached different stage.

Editing video and audio

Cutting and splicing segments of the video tape together using splicing video editing technique.

 

A linear editing

Copying and putting segments  from master tape to another tape in sequential order.

No linear editing

This is were recorded video are copied into the computer then footage can be arranged or rearranged, special effects can be  added,  Audio and graphics can be adjusted using editing Software . 

Overview of the nonlinear process;

• Digitize footage into computer

• Trim each video segments or clip, deleting unwanted video frames.

• Place the clips into timeline

• Add video special effects and transitions.

• Insert additional audio (music, voiceover)

• Output the final program to the distribution medium.

Logging 

Viewing  the footage  and write down scene,  take numbers,  the lengths of each shot,  time code and description of each shot. 

Editing equipment 

A camcorder (with Fireside), editing software package can be installed in a computer to make editing easier. 

Good continuity 

Make sure that everything is consistent from shot to shot so that the shots can easily be edited together. Paying attention to details  will help the editor in achieving good continuity. 

Editing priorities

It is worth remembering during editing phrase that either the pictures or audio may be given priority.  Changing the picture angles and changing shots can make the event happening  interesting. For example if shooting sporting  events it is important to consider the audience.  Taking shots of attendance of people (fans),  side-lines,  pitch/field, players/participants,  people involved (such as coaches,  managers) and people's reactions is the best way to represent the audience and Aura/ambience,  this  will make the audience to enjoy watching the game. Always make sure that what audience see is what they hear,  always cut off unwanted parts without audience noticing any glitches .

Good editing techniques

The editor have to avoid cutting between shots extremely same size of same subject it is jolting for audiences. Do not cut between shots  that are similar or even matching,  it will look as if transformers from one to another. Do not cut between shots of the same size and subject,  it produce a jump cut. If two subjects are going in the same direction,  have them both going across the screen direction. Avoiding cutting between still(static) Shots and moving images except for a specific reason. If breaking continuity of action,  introduce cutesy shot to ensure that this relates meaningfully to the main tension. Avoid cutting the shots that make people or object move from one side of the screen to another.

A TV editor is like a mirror to the overall production for TV shows/programs.  He/she filter the final TV content,  bring the show to life and ensure that it suits the needs of the audience. 

 

Book review- Frieda and the SDGs

Click on the link to read it

https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/lifestyle/item/10327-book-review-frieda-and-the-sustainable-development-goals-wrong-tool-wrong-audience

Exhibition at Omba Gallery

Batik products are the center of attention at the Omba Gallery in Windhoek this month. Batik designer, Tom Kenesi, owner of the Indigenous Batik Design Company, is presenting an exhibition entitled Batik Bliss.

The presentation opened on 1 September and closes on 30 September. 

Kenesi’s work is colorful, artistic and popular. The batik products are beautiful, yet functional and add character and colour to any art loving family home. All products are handmade from cotton fabric and are durable for both indoor and outdoor use. Items showcased at the exhibition include pillow cases, tablecloths, placemats and aprons.

At the exhibition, Zimbabwean-born Kenesi has launched his new collection of Chara batik and leather ladies’ handbags.
“In the Shona language, chara comes from a proverb meaning “one finger (chara) cannot crush and kill a flea,” the indigenous Batik artist said.

The co-owner of the Design Company and wife of the founder, Mercy Kenesi, said that her husband’s idea for the handbags came after he decided to make a special gift for his female customers.
“We decided on handbags because we noticed that women love handbags and would appreciate our product line,” she said.  Items from the Chara line are available in a variety of colours including red, black, yellow and orange.

Tom Kenesi, who is now in his early forties, has artistic and career experience in batiks spanning more than twenty years.   The textile artist said that he started making batiks in 1996 when he did fabric design at the Peter Birch School of Art in Harare.

In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Kenesi said that for his current company, he designs a wide range of hand-made batik fabric products which are sold to international and local clients.
 He said that he imports plain cotton textiles from South Africa that he then uses to make the various batik products.

Kenesi is currently living in Namibia and has employed four women in his company who help him design and paint the materials.

“I want to share what I love.  People love things that are handmade. If one makes something with his/her own hands, people feel the passion coming from that product and those items are more appreciated than the thing which is made using machine,” he said.

Mrs Kenesi said one of the challenges that the handmade crafts industry is experiencing is that some potential clients complain that their items are too expensive. “People need to understand that we don’t mass produce. We don’t use machines; we use our hands. Working with your hands takes a lot of time.  Just to make a pillow takes us two days.  In production, time is money.  The  skills and personal touch we use to make our unique products is more than worth the price,” she said.

Speaking about how business is doing at the moment, Mercy Kenesi said that sales are down. “I think this is happening because of our economic crisis. But, we will still continue to do what we love.”

The Indigenous Batik Design Company has a small factory and a sales shop in Goreangab, Katutura where they make and sell their products.  The batik making artist also does outdoor exhibitions every Saturday at the Green Market in Klein Windhoek.

For more information please visit their website www.tomkenesi.com.

Orginal article  is available  at 

 https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/lifestyle/item/10360-colourful-batiks-at-omba-gallery

WIDF uplifts talented dancers

12 October 2018

• 
  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Author   Elina-Ombili ShishakI

During the bi-annual Windhoek International Dance Festival (WIDF) held late last month, Trixie Munyama, the Coordinator of the event said that she is very proud that this years’ experience was a success and that many Namibian dance academies took part in the annual program. 

She is convinced that WIDF uplifts talented dancers.

The well-received dance festival was hosted by the National Arts Council of Namibia and took place at the College of the Arts (COTA) in Windhoek.

The three day dance extravaganza was held under the theme “Inter-Acts” and kicked off with a lab-based platform where artists re-imagine movement.

The aim of the WIDF is to raise awareness of dance, dancers, choreographers and dance studios in Windhoek. It was a great opportunity for dancers to show off their skills by becoming part of the festival. This bi-annual event entitled Inter-Acts brought different artists together and created new dance work in unconventional spaces.

Munyama described the event as successful and eye-opening to most of the Namibian youth that attended the event. They each were given platforms and boom-box to dance, create steps/moves, and feel their talent for movement art.

“This was an opportunity were Namibian dancing groups and artists could show their talent. Those participating had a sense of ownership of what they were doing; they did not sit around and wait for someone to come give them everything they want or need; they created on their own,” Munyama said.

She further said that the problem with appreciating arts is that dancers are seen as ‘secondary’ in the fine arts world, but this event allowed them to shine.  

Daniel Kuhlmann, assistant dance teacher at the H2E Dance Company of Namibia said that he liked performing at the WIDF because music uplifted his soul and mind and he also learned new things that unite him with other people. “I want to share my skills and express my feelings, music helps me accept and respect myself and it also make me comfortable” he said.

Kuhlmann, who has been dancing since 2014, performed lyrical Hip-hop on the boom box platform.

A participant from South Africa, Themba Mbuli stated that music and dance are universal languages that connect people and enable people to exchange their talents with the whole universe. “Dance is the most useful to personal development, I want to get more exposure and work together with others” she said.

Mbuli, who has been dancing for more than 11 years, performed an Afro-fusion dance style based on African dance mixed with contemporary dance.

Taimi Sheehama who took part in the free workshop classes appreciated the event, but felt a bit lost by its rapid pace of creativity.  “Dancing is the best way to keep myself calm as it soothes the mind,  But, for me, the music and dance made at WIDF was too fast, so I ended up confused about how to dance with it.”

This article  was published on the Windhoek Observer Newspaper .  See the link below
https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/lifestyle/item/10497-widf-uplifts-talented-dancers

Radio script

A sample of a 30 minute radio program

Produced by: Elina-Ombili Shishaki

Station: YETU FM

Title of program: Health corner

Airing time: Saturday, 10:05-11:35

Topic: Health check up must be held at least once a year

Host: Elina-Ombili Shishaki

Prepared by: Elina-Ombili Shishaki

SKELETON SCRIPT           

10:05-11:35 Morning show sponsored by MTC (30 minutes)

4 Jingle and adverts 
-1 Intro and outro radio show jingle (40seconds)

 -2 sponsor adverts
-1 jingle advert (20seconds) 

Show intro: (1 minute)

2 music- 1 local (1 minute), 1 international (2 minutes)

Show recap: (4 minutes)

Interview (16 minutes)

3 Call in: (3 minutes)

Show outro: (1 minute)

                                                                                    

DETAILED SCRIPT

Intro jingle: (Radio show jingle-20 seconds)

DJ Ombili: Introduce herself, welcome listeners and announce the topic (1minute)

Play music: House guru gang- Pressure (1 minute)

DJ Ombili: Recap on the music, time, what the show is about and then introduce the guest she is interviewing staring with the guest’s name, what he does and where he works. (2 minutes)

Guest: Define health checkup and give different health checkup that are being done to men and women. (2 minutes)

DJ Ombili: Summarize what she heard and take a break (20 seconds)

Advert: MTC advert (30 seconds)

DJ Ombili: Outline important parts and ask the second question (1 minutes)

Guest: Respond to the question (4 minutes)

DJ: Inform listeners that the lines are open they can call in studio, give studio number and the topic then continue with the recap of what the guest talked about and take the first caller. (2 minutes)

Caller1: (1 minute)

DJ Ombili: Highlight the caller’s main points. (30 seconds)

Guest: Share opinion on what the 1^st caller said. (1 minute)

Play music: San El ft Samthing Soweto- Akanamali (1 minute)

Lower the volume and the music play on the background

DJ Ombili: Give studio number, introduce the topic and answer the second caller (30 seconds)

Caller 2: (1 minute)

DJ Ombili: Do recap on what the show is about, give studio number and take one last caller. (30 seconds)

Caller 3: (1 minute)

DJ Ombili: Ask the guest to give consequences if one didn’t go for health check-ups.  (1 minute)

Guest: Give consequences and persuade people to go for the check-up. (3minutes)

Jingle advert: host advert (30 seconds)

DJ ombili: Round off the interview with the concluding sentences of what she have learnt. (1 minute)

Guest:  Give his final words (2 minutes)

Radio show jingle: (20 seconds)

Lower the jingle volume and let it play on the background

DJ Ombili: Give a short recap of the show, thank the guest for coming to the show, inform listeners about the next health corner program, give next week’s topic and say good bye. (1 minute)

Advert: Sponsor advert (30 seconds)