Nerys on her last day at Simakakata.

I return, armed with twelve video tapes at hand but I also returned to some sad news.

With a heavy heart I heard the economic downfall was having an effect on my department and they were unable to keep me as permanent staff. Tinopolis were supportive but there was nothing they could do.

It meant returning to freelance, a common practise with media professionals, but there was no denying that my circumstance had dramatically changed in light of the Zambia project.

No equipment. No facilities. No editor.

I looked towards other production companies but their schedules were too tight, budgets too small and resources limited. I was having technical problems with my camera and computer and editing software was expensive.

I had to put the Zambia project to one side while I looked for work. I needed money to buy the appropriate equipment to proceed and I needed to earn a living.

I eventually found a contract working on a documentary feature with a company in London, though staying in south Wales. It wasn’t permanent but enough to keep me going and to buy the necessary equipment to continue.

And that’s what I did. I bought the equipment.

Now I needed time.

I found out about the Vodafone World of Difference scheme, a contract that started as my other contract came to an end. It was perfect: an opportunity to continue my work with LearnAsOne. I could now focus on the production rather than worry about my next play slip.

Today

And so, here I am, writing a blog in between working on the edit for LearnAsOne at home.

I’ve now ingested 12 hours worth of tapes and I’ve started cutting sequences for Day In the Life of Saviour, a video that gives us a glimpse of what life is like for a young child living in Simakakata.

I am still depending on the generosity of independent companies and was delighted when Plastic Buddha agreed to help me with the voice over recording.

I also have the kind assistance of professional editor Alun Morris Jones to help me out with the grammar of editing and any technical alterations that need doing.

I still have a lot to learn. I’m nervous and excited at the same time.

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. George Bernard Shaw

The ‘Day in the Life of Saviour’ video is now completed except for a voiceover which we hope to record in the next couple of weeks. We’ll post it on the blog as soon as it’s finished.