As Chancellor Robert Bermudez’s address was broadcast at UWI’s commencement activities, his audience was likely moved by his words about the university’s legacy and the importance of graduates lighting the way. This is partly a testament to the segment’s painstaking production by the UWI Film Programme.
The Chancellor delivered his speech live at the St Augustine campus’s graduation ceremonies, but it was broadcasted at the graduations in other countries, each version tailored for each campus.
During the roughly eight-minute segment, clad in his regalia, Chancellor Bermudez delivered his inspirational message with a row of chairs and flags of the UWI territories as a backdrop.
Anyone watching it might not realise that the segment took many hours to create.
“The production arc was really probably several weeks,” explained Dr Yao Ramesar, Coordinator of the Film Degree Programme.
Dr Ramesar directed. His crew consisted of Kivonne Ramsawak, camera/editing; Shea Best, lighting; and Sonia Lara, teleprompter. Kirk Garner, an alumnus of the school, oversaw sound. The students involved on the project were Akkel Charles and Angelina Ramdhan as production assistants, and Anya Aching for photography. Naomi Howard was the production coordinator.
None of the crew were new to filmmaking, but it was still a valuable experience for the students.
“Something like this engages them in critical, advanced television production and directing,” said Dr Ramesar. They had the opportunity to internalise the methodologies he has developed during his 40 years of experience.
A lot of work went into ensuring the whole segment looked effortless.
“A filmmaker generally has a check list which is longer than that of a pilot of a 747,” stated Dr Ramesar. Some of the many tasks the crew organised included having dry runs with a stand-in for the Chancellor. They carefully tested for optimal light levels, and even had the studio-sized green screen dry-cleaned.
The result of this meticulous effort was the well-received segment which successfully aired on the campuses.
“It was what we call a clean outcome,” declared Dr Ramesar.
University Registrar and Chair of the Graduation Planning Committee Dr Maurice D Smith, thanked Professor Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, and her team from the Film Unit for “the high-quality production of the Chancellor’s recordings” at the 2022 Graduation ceremonies.
“I am proud of the expertise and professionalism displayed by members of the Unit,” he added. “This augurs well for the future of our institution as we optimise available resources in the implementation of the [university’s] Revenue Revolution.”
While such a production is not new to the UWI film crew, which sports the equipment and skills to work with production companies the world over, integrating the address was a testimony of a post-pandemic world where institutions have had to explore the limits of virtual communication. Dr Ramesar sees it as proof of the value of blended learning.
The Film Programme is already setting an example with weekly seminars on filmmaking re-introduced as the campus opens up. While a live audience is present, participants and presenters can chime in virtually. Recently, they screened the South African film, Letters of Hope, followed by a live Q&A with the film’s director, Vusi Africa, in South Africa.
Dr Ramesar is enthusiastic about their plans for more workshops “without borders”, and he hopes other departments will explore virtual options.
“I would like to see us reaching out and touching people with our education imperatives,” he said.
