Q: Who is eligible to apply to Maisha?
A: You have to be a citizen of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda for East Africa or India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh for South Asia. Dual citizens will not be accepted unless both countries of citizenship fall within the target countries.
Q: What type of crew members are you looking for?
A: We are looking for cinematographers, sound mixers, and editors who have some experience in the industry. We especially want you to be familiar with the formats we are using: For Editors- Final Cut Pro, for Cinematographers- the Sony HVR-V1E HDV Camcorder, For Sound Recordists- the Sound Devices 702- T Recorder with the Sound Devices Mixers (both 2-channel and 4-channel), Sennheiser Wireless and shotgun Mics.
Q: What kind of films will the crew members be working on?
A: For those who are applying to Maisha as filmmakers, we will be accepting 9 participants. We will be shooting the THREE STRONGEST scripts out of those 9. Crew members and other participants will be assigned to one director and will assist in the realization of that directors’ vision.
Q: What type of qualifications must I have?
A: For crew members, we require you to have industry experience. This may be in film, television, documentary, what have you, but you must be familiar with the nature of a film set and using the equipment.
Q: When and Where are the annual labs held?
A: The labs are held in Kampala, Uganda, from July 21-August 14th (approximately). Our first year they were at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. Our second year we were stationed at the Jinija Nile Resort. In 2007 we were at the Royal Impala Hotel in Munyonyo. The Location for 2008 is to be determined but will be in Kampala.
Q: How long is the lab? Do I have to be present for the whole lab?
A: The lab spans about 25 days, but only filmmakers must be present for the whole time. Crew will only be required to be present for approximately 16 days- for training with their specialized mentors and then production.
Q: What will take place at the lab?
A: The first seven days of the lab will be for the screenwriters/directors to revise and rework their short 10 page scripts. Intermingled with this screenwriters’ session will be filmmaking workshops on directing, editing, and other aspects of the filmmaking process. There will also be specialized workshops for each type of crew member- cinematographers, editors, and sound mixers. The last 10 days of the lab will be devoted to production and then editing.
Q: I was born in East Africa/South Asia but now reside abroad. Am I eligible?
A: Yes, you are eligible, as long as you retain citizenship of East Africa and/or South Asia. Again, dual citizenship will NOT be considered. Also, you will be required to cover your own travel costs.
Q: I am of East African/South Asian descent, but was born abroad. Am I eligible?
No. Maisha is geared only towards citizens of our target countries and not members of the diaspora.
Q: To what extent does Maisha cover travel costs?
A: Maisha will not cover ANY travel costs. Participants are responsible for getting themselves to and from Kampala.
Q: Will Maisha pay for the visa and vaccinations I need for Uganda?
A: No. The participant will have to cover all visa and vaccination expenses.
Q: What expenses will Maisha cover?
A: We will cover hotel expenses and meals for the duration of the lab.
Q: What should I say in my cover letter?
A: Use the cover letter to introduce yourself and your experiences. What are your hopes for the film industry in your country? What do you want to get out of the Maisha experience?
Q: How should I format my resume/bio?
A: If you feel that a standard resume will properly represent you, we will accept that format. However, if you feel a biography will tell us more about you and is more relevant to your candidacy, please submit one. We basically want a concise and specific document of your talent, experience, and goals.
Q: Can I include additional supporting material, other than what you ask for in the application, (i.e. letters of recommendation, articles, music CDs, etc.)?
A: If you feel that a recommendation letter will help us get to know you better, feel free to submit one. However, please do not send an unreasonable amount of unrequested material. Please also bear in mind that no part of your application can be returned.
Q: What kind of equipment will I be using?
A: We be using digital video and editing technology. We will be providing equipment for all crew members. Exact technical details will be made available to accepted candidates.
Q: Do I have to have worked on a feature film to apply?
A: No. Your submission material can include any work (film, television, documentary, short film) that you have worked on. You don’t necessarily have to have experience on a feature film set.
Q: Can I send more than one application?
A: No, we only accept one application per person per year.
Q: Are adaptations of pre-existing material accepted?
A: We will accept adaptations of movies or plays as long as you hold the rights to the material, have permission from the rights holder, or the work is in the public domain.
Q: Can I submit a screenplay that is written by more than one person?
A: No. We would like to have the writer of the screenplay at Maisha so that they will be able to revise before starting the production segment of the session.
Q: Does my application have to be received, or postmarked by the deadline?
A: Your application must be received by the deadline date of February 1, 2008.
Q: How should I send my application?
A: We accept all mail carriers and delivery services, including the U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc. We will not accept applications sent via fax or email. Our physical address is Maisha Foundation, Uganda National Theater, Plot 2, 4 & 6 Dewinton Road, Room F06, Kampala Uganda. Our postal address for deliveries is P.O. Box 72156, Kampala, Uganda. The phone number is +256 712 63 99 04.
Q: How can I find out if you have received my application?
A: All applications will be acknowledged via email.
Q: Can I get any part of my submission returned to me?
A: No. Unfortunately any requests for returns would be impossible given the number of applications and accompanying materials that we receive.
Q: What is the selection process?
A: Our selection process for technical crew is as follows:
- All applications must be received by the date of the deadline.
- All applications received will be acknowledged by email from the Program Director.
- The Applications will be reviewed by that year’s Artistic Director and Technical Mentoring Team, and 20 will be shortlisted
- ALL Shortlisted Applicants will be interviewed by the Program Director
- The 9 final participants will be selected.
- This entire process will take 4 months to complete.
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