2008 documentary short film takes up problem of access to news sources
2008 documentary short film takes up problem of access to news sources
First screened in September 2008. Adapted to CJJ, Dec. 11, 2024
“Access Denied”: featuring, in order of appearance: Gwendolyn Garcia, Pelagio Apostol, Connie Fernandez, Juan Mercado, Liberty Pinili, Linette Ramos, Doris Bongcac, Bobby Nalzaro, Leo Lastimosa, Carmelo Valmoria, Fred Languido, Fortunato de Gracia, Karlon Rama, Mia Abellana, Tomas Osmena, Ronald Roderos.
[] Director: Philustrate Natad
[] Writer: Pachico A. Seares
[] Reporter, researcher: Karlon N. Rama
[] Film editor: Rod Prado
THE full title of the short film “Access Denied: Journalists’ Lament, News Source’ Plea” tells of what the enterprise seeks to accomplish: laying out the problem and finding out what can be done.
More of defining the situation and showing just enough facts and ideas to provoke further discussion on ways to improve communication between media and sources of the news.
Why the film: The idea occurred to me then and my colleagues at Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) that it would be a more effective means of presenting a media-related problem at a forum. Instead of an introduction of the topic, using words and slides, we show a film to precede the live discussion among resource persons and guests.
We in print journalism had no experience in film making but we tapped those who had. For “Access Denied” we had Philustrate Natad for director; Rod Prado for cinematographer; Eurestedes Gilivan for editor; and April Christine Rama as narrator. As you may guess, most of them were from the local TV industry who were adept at producing video news stories.
We approached the task like broadcasters writing and filming a feature about a media-related problem.
Among those who appeared in the short film: (from left) Gwen Garcia, Pelagio Apostol, Tomas Osmena, Ronald Roderos, Bobby Nalzaro, Leo Lastimosa.
A number of news sources (led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Tomas Osmena) and journalists (led by Bobby Nalzaro and Leo Lastimosa) graciously agreed to appear to say their bit about how the matter of access, granted or denied, may be handled on both sides: the interviewer and the interviewed, or the reporter and the person in the news.
The primary goal wasn’t to produce a work of art but a tool of communication, to show a situationer that may open a discussion and exchange of ideas among media and citizens at a public forum. The short film was first screened during a Cebu Press Freedom Week in September 2008.
Production was an inexpensive process, with many of us volunteering and providing services for free. On “Access Denied,” I wrote the script based on the report and research of then news reporter Karlon N. Rama. Cherry Ann T. Lim of CJJ was executive producer. April Christine Rama was the narrator. Pachico A. Seares 