The start of the broadcast of the 2022 National Children’s Festival of the Arts (NCFA) on CIGTV was a proud moment for creative media studies students at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) and their teacher, Ms. Nenah Konec, as well as the culmination of almost two weeks of video production.
While not a major challenge for Ms. Konec, an experienced filmmaker and photographer, it was undoubtedly a significant feat for the team at ‘Kaymanite Productions’, a fledgling company comprised of Ms. Konec’s seven creative media studies students.
Sixteen-year-old Michaiah Thompson, who has aspirations to become a videographer and ultimately own a production company, described the experience as educational and motivational.
“It taught me time management, organisation, how to adapt and problem solve. It bettered my videography skills and even my photography skills as my mentor Ms. Konec gave me the opportunity to be the lead camera and the main photographer. In the end, this allowed me to improve my multitasking skills.”
Michaiah also divulged that the experience changed his perception of the creative media industry. “Coming into this project, I thought that I knew a lot about the industry and what I was getting into but getting the chance to experience it first-hand, I now understand a small portion of what industry professionals must face on a professional set and big events.”
Team member Jahvon Reid expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work on the project. “The experience was just amazing. I felt like a professional working on the video. Working with the whole media group (Kaymanite Productions) was a thrill! I am so grateful that I am part of the team.”
Jahvon continued to relate his experience. “I’ve spent about ten days editing this project which is the most I have ever done, but that time was worth it. I was really happy with the result. This project also showed how important organisation is when you’re working to tight deadlines.”
Abby Vierra and Carson McField, who managed sound quality, concurred, describing the experience as 'exciting'.
The remaining team members, Samuel Clemming, Lori Murchison and Marco Carsana, were equally delighted to work on the project.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for the students. It was their first real job as a production crew, and they were able to use all the skills they had learnt,” Creative Media Teacher Ms. Konec commented. “This experience has solidified their ambitions to work within the media sphere.”
2022 NCFA performances aired on CIGTV from 28 February to 6 March.
To view the NCFA performances, visit the Cayman Islands Government YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/CIGtelevision.