Media for youth work – video course in Serbia
From 9th until 16th of October a video course which was planned by the organisation Vega – Youth Center took place in Zlatibor, Serbia. 27 youngsters from seven European countries (Serbia, Italy, Romania, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina) gathered in this location – placed high in the mountains and known as a health resort – to learn basic knowledges about video journalism.
As a partner the European Youth4Media Network e.V. sent three of its trainers – Magda Gnyp (Poland), Helena Potthast (Germany) and Athina Mourtiadou (Greece). Together they conducted video journalism module in four small groups, which included camera handling, shooting, interview training, cutting film material and research. Four trainees from Münster also took part in the training course. The communication with each other worked with help of the English language and the exchange among each other did not only enable cooperative work, but also to get to know new cultures and countries.
Every participant had the chance to apply oneself and to add something to the product with the help of his knowledge and creative ideas.Therefore the youth did not only get trained in video journalism, but also gained experience about other cultures, especially about the Serbian one. The participants spent a lot of time at the traditional market place and discussed with the locals about topics like the accession to the EU or the Kosovo conflict.
Next to the media work also leisure activities were up on the aganda: On 12th October all people who were interested went into the so-called coast village that was built up for the film director Emir Kusturica for one of his movies. Nowadays it is used as a museum and a resort for tourists.
The German participant Annabelle Hopp considered the media camp as huge enrichment: "Before this week I had nearly no idea of video journalism and now I feel much more confident with the handling of a camera and the editing program".
The aim of this seminar was to create a small movie. Especially I liked most that we could be so creative with regard to our movie. In this way diverse and interesting products were the result – said Annabelle Hopp. The four movies of the different groups were presented on the last evening. On 16th October all participants returned to their home country. In their luggage they carried new experiences with regard to video journalism and new friendships.
The training course Media for youth work has been supported by the Youth In Action Programme – Training course 3.1
