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/* Written  2:51 pm  Apr 10, 1994 by cdp:jbekken in web:media.issues */
/* ---------- "democratic communique (march 94)" ---------- */
   Help Needed: The International School for Film and TV, Cuba
                         by Jackie Byars
     During the UDC Conference some of us got to know members of
the faculty, staff and student body and learned a bit about the
International School for Film and Television (EICTV). The school is
part of the Foundation for the New Latin American Cinema, and the
foundation's board of directors is made up of illustrious
filmmakers and writers from Latin America (headed by Gabriel
Garcia-Marquez). The two-year program is intense and productive.
The school is selective, admitting about 25 students a year, and it
now has 52 students drawn from across Latin America, the Caribbean
and Africa. Many people on the faculty are temporary instructors,
taking time off from their regular positions. The staff (from
cafeteria workers to office workers) live in San Antonio de los
Ba$os or in Havana. They seem quite committed to the school.
     While we were at the school we were informed about the
difficulties face by students, faculty and staff as they go about
the business of trying to teach and learn filmmaking--difficulties
caused by the shortages of supplies and equipment (which are, we
know, caused by the collapse of the economies of the Soviet bloc
countries and by the U.S. blockade). Some conference participants
made donations (one person even donated the video minicam she had
brought with her), but much, much more is needed.
     We obtained lists from two sources--the students at the school
and the current head of production (like many teaching posts at the
school, his is short term, and he will return to Peru in a few
months to resume his job working with community television and in
film production). I've already got some unused videotape to send;
I mentioned the need in my graduate class and a student went to his
car and brought back tapes he was trying to get rid of. Another
grad student has contacts for local sources for used videotape (and
when you have nothing, used is better).
     The two lists overlap and are as follows:
       List from Andres Malatesta, Director of Production
     Videotapes: Hi-8, U-Matic, Betamax, VHS and Betacam.
     Editing Materials: adhesive tape, grease pencils (red and
white), markers (pens, felt-tip pens).
     Lamps and light bulbs for lighting film and television.
Different sizes.
     Cables for lighting (Royalcol). Extensions and connectors for
rooms dedicated to video production. Connectors: RCA and BNC.
     Other materials for instruction.
                       The students' list
     White paper for photocopier.
     Film for photographs: color or black and white.
     Paper for photographs.
     Chemicals for developing film.
     Printer ribbons (for computer printers--probably Apple).
     Computer discs (and programs for budgeting).
     Timing devices.
     New videotapes: U-Matic, Beta, Hi-8, VHS.
     Audiocasettes.
     Scotch tape.
     Filters for cameras.
     New film: 16mm and 35mm.
     Magnetic tape: 1/4 (Sony).
     Batteries: D, AA, NP-1B, NP-77.
     Professional earphones.
     Editing table.
     Office and film supplies; works and documentaries for the
video library of North American productions.
     The school's library can also use books. If you're written
one, send them a copy. If you have extras, send them.
                           How to Help
     If you can donate things or know of someone who can, please
take one of the following steps:
     Contact me (Jackie Byars) at 313-534-4185 (not mornings, noon
to prime time is best).
     If you're in a location where you can (i.e., not in the U.S.),
send things directly to the school. Label them "donations" so the
folks there will know what to do with them: Dolores Calvino,
Directora Ejecutiva, Escuela Internacional de Cine y TV, Apdo. 40
y 41, San Antonio de los Ba$os, Habana, CUBA.
     You can mail things to a production company in Mexico which
will forward them to Cuba, but that adds to the school's costs. If
you want to use that option, contact me.