I had a good meeting today with my mentors, Jeff and Brad. Originally we were going to go over my IRB, but then, because that's so complicated and I need to revise it again, I decided just to talk to them about the project itself and how to be more specific about it narrow my gaze on what it is exactly that I will be doing. My biggest problem has been trying to come up with the question that I want to answer. Jeff asked me what it was that drew my attention to this story in the first place. I explained to him that I thought it was impressive, compared to the rest of the world, what Tibetans and Indians are achieving despite their situations and different backgrounds. He helped me transform and translate this into the simple question of, "Is it possible for people to get along?" More specific to this project the question could be, "Is it possible for Indians and Tibetans to get along, and if so, how?" but I want the audience to evaluate more than just Indians and Tibetans. I want them to evaluate the question for themselves. Can we get along with others, and what is necessary in order to do this? Somehow I feel like this helps me determine the route and direction of my film.
Showing posts with label Story Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Story Development. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
How well do Tibetans and Indians actually get along?
I just read an interesting article: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/unease-in-dharamsala/429052/
Lately I have been so focused on looking innocent for the IRB that I have kind of strayed from my original idea or question, which asked "Will Tibetans and Indians get along", and not "Why do they get along", which is what my question seems to have become. This article expresses some of the worries and issues going on between the Tibetans and Indians of Dharamsala. There really are a lot of issues, especially from the point of view of local Indians. They do not seem mad at Tibetans, but actually quite willing to mix with them. The problem they say is that Tibetans do not want to mix with Indians. This is just one of several issues, not to mention the whole deal with the Karmapa Lama (which thankfully seems it is being taken care of nicely without raising more issues).
My point is, I have focused so much on the good lately that I have kind of ignored any negative relationships between Tibetans and Indians, when this could really be a valid point to investigate. My only problem is that I am afraid the IRB will not like the idea of me investigating anything negative if it means negative comments will be attached to people's faces on film. I have tried to avoid this being a risk by deciding that the film should only be screened in the United States, but even still, I don't know if the IRB will see that as enough protection.
However, I also don't want to show Dharamsala as a paradise where everyone gets along if that's not really how it is. How do you determine how "accurate" you want to be versus how "safe" you want to be?
Maybe the answer is in the question that I ask. Maybe my question should be, "What are Tibetans and Indians doing to get along better?"
Lately I have been so focused on looking innocent for the IRB that I have kind of strayed from my original idea or question, which asked "Will Tibetans and Indians get along", and not "Why do they get along", which is what my question seems to have become. This article expresses some of the worries and issues going on between the Tibetans and Indians of Dharamsala. There really are a lot of issues, especially from the point of view of local Indians. They do not seem mad at Tibetans, but actually quite willing to mix with them. The problem they say is that Tibetans do not want to mix with Indians. This is just one of several issues, not to mention the whole deal with the Karmapa Lama (which thankfully seems it is being taken care of nicely without raising more issues).
My point is, I have focused so much on the good lately that I have kind of ignored any negative relationships between Tibetans and Indians, when this could really be a valid point to investigate. My only problem is that I am afraid the IRB will not like the idea of me investigating anything negative if it means negative comments will be attached to people's faces on film. I have tried to avoid this being a risk by deciding that the film should only be screened in the United States, but even still, I don't know if the IRB will see that as enough protection.
However, I also don't want to show Dharamsala as a paradise where everyone gets along if that's not really how it is. How do you determine how "accurate" you want to be versus how "safe" you want to be?
Maybe the answer is in the question that I ask. Maybe my question should be, "What are Tibetans and Indians doing to get along better?"
Monday, March 21, 2011
How to be Creative
This goes in combination with my last post about focusing. It also functions as me trying to be positive despite many my many woes and frustrations currently involved with my project.
In my documentary class the other day we were learning about Dopamine (not sure if I spelled that right). It is the chemical in your brain that causes you to crave new information. In a way it can be very useful because it helps you to want to learn new things. But in other ways it is not so useful, because not all information is important or worthwhile. For example, dopamine could very well be blamed for an hour of youtube watching, when you only meant to watch one video in the first place. This is something I know I've been a victim to because of all the additional videos listed down the right side of every youtube page. This is all information, though most of the time, not very useful.
In my documentary class the other day we were learning about Dopamine (not sure if I spelled that right). It is the chemical in your brain that causes you to crave new information. In a way it can be very useful because it helps you to want to learn new things. But in other ways it is not so useful, because not all information is important or worthwhile. For example, dopamine could very well be blamed for an hour of youtube watching, when you only meant to watch one video in the first place. This is something I know I've been a victim to because of all the additional videos listed down the right side of every youtube page. This is all information, though most of the time, not very useful.
Friday, February 25, 2011
A Great Discovery
Lately I've been having a hard time finding information to help me persue my topic. All my attempts to use the library databases seem in vane, but then today I tried just typing "Tibetans and Indians" in a google search and magically and wonderfully I found this: http://www.friendsoftibet.org/articles/varma.html
An interview with Prashant Varam, an Indian, talking about a support group he and other Indians have establishedto help Tibetan refugees. This was a great find because now I have charitable organizations working both ways. Indians helping Tibetans and Tibetans helping Indians. The support group's website can be seen here: http://friendsoftibet.org/
On top of that, I was very touched by what Prashant had to say in his interview. It is apparent that he has a strong love and respect for the Tibetan people and he sincerely wishes to help them. I am not sure yet if he lives anywhere near McLeod Ganj, but the website has many members, hopefully some of which live close enough that I could talk to them.
These kinds of finds are very uplifting, not only because it shows people love each other, but because it tells me my project idea might actually work!
An interview with Prashant Varam, an Indian, talking about a support group he and other Indians have establishedto help Tibetan refugees. This was a great find because now I have charitable organizations working both ways. Indians helping Tibetans and Tibetans helping Indians. The support group's website can be seen here: http://friendsoftibet.org/
On top of that, I was very touched by what Prashant had to say in his interview. It is apparent that he has a strong love and respect for the Tibetan people and he sincerely wishes to help them. I am not sure yet if he lives anywhere near McLeod Ganj, but the website has many members, hopefully some of which live close enough that I could talk to them.
These kinds of finds are very uplifting, not only because it shows people love each other, but because it tells me my project idea might actually work!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access
This is an important detail to think about before going into the field. I have considered to some degree what "sites" I would like to explore with my film, but I should start getting more specific.
My starting point is to look at the Tong-Len organization. I still need to contact this group, but I would love to have access to the group, the people running the group, and some of their different service projects. I hope that it will not be too hard to get involved this way. What may be a little hard is I want to also observe this group from the receivers' point of view. This may be more difficult because I may not be able to identify or find anyone in this category until I actually get to India. I think it is important though, especially with my topic, to try and get equal Tibetan Indian perspective. I liked what Neuman said about teaming up with different people from different backgrounds to see something from different angles. This is what I will try to do, seeing things through Tibetan, Indian, as well as my own eyes.
Besides the Tong-Len organization and the people it serves, some general sites I would like to explore are the following (permitted that they are ethical places to research):
-All Tibetan community
-All Indian community
-Mixed Indian/Tibetan Community
-Tibetan and Indian holy or spiritual locations
-A few Tibetan and Indian homes
-Tibetan and Indian places of work
The Tong-Len organization and the people it helps will hopefully be a more in-depth study and something that I will be more involved in through participation and talking to people, whereas, things like holy or spiritual places may be strictly observational. I will need to be careful to talk to people about where it is acceptable for me to go and interact and film, and where it is not appropriate for me to do so.
My starting point is to look at the Tong-Len organization. I still need to contact this group, but I would love to have access to the group, the people running the group, and some of their different service projects. I hope that it will not be too hard to get involved this way. What may be a little hard is I want to also observe this group from the receivers' point of view. This may be more difficult because I may not be able to identify or find anyone in this category until I actually get to India. I think it is important though, especially with my topic, to try and get equal Tibetan Indian perspective. I liked what Neuman said about teaming up with different people from different backgrounds to see something from different angles. This is what I will try to do, seeing things through Tibetan, Indian, as well as my own eyes.
Besides the Tong-Len organization and the people it serves, some general sites I would like to explore are the following (permitted that they are ethical places to research):
-All Tibetan community
-All Indian community
-Mixed Indian/Tibetan Community
-Tibetan and Indian holy or spiritual locations
-A few Tibetan and Indian homes
-Tibetan and Indian places of work
The Tong-Len organization and the people it helps will hopefully be a more in-depth study and something that I will be more involved in through participation and talking to people, whereas, things like holy or spiritual places may be strictly observational. I will need to be careful to talk to people about where it is acceptable for me to go and interact and film, and where it is not appropriate for me to do so.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Current Conflict in Dharam Sala
I read an article about this last week, and it has been brought to my attention on multiple occasions since then. This is big, and has a lot to do with my project.
Recently, Indian police found an equivalent of around $1 million in the Karmapa Lama's monastery. Much of this money was in Chinese currency which has caused a lot of suspicious from Indian officials and media. Many are accusing the Karmapa Lama of being a Chinese spy. He claims that the money has come in donations from all over the world including Buddhists in China. It is still an ongoing event as police try to acquire more evidence. There is more I could summarize, but I'd better just give a link: http://www.minnpost.com/worldcsm/2011/02/15/25813/tibets_karmapa_lama_fueling_china_and_india_border_tensions (and if anyone is interested in seeing more links, I have more.)
Unless things are very quickly and neatly cleaned up, this event will most likely have a large significance for my project when we get to Mcleod Ganj in May. Even if the conflict is "resolved", the event has already caused many Indians to worry about their Tibetan neighbors and suspect them of having secret ties to China. However it turns out, relations between the two communities may take a while to mend simply because of the doubts that have been raised. It may also turn out to be a doorway to further conflicts and suspicions between Tibetans and Indians.
I plan on keeping a close eye on this as well as working it into my project and my story.
Update:
I just read another article, looking at the Hamachel Pradesh's chief minister's point of view on the event. He says that it is under investigation by the central government and that his state government has nothing to comment or add. If the central government finds no fault, than he has no reason to look further. From what I read, he seems to counter the media, or at least try to calm people down about the issue.
He reminds the people: "Karmapa's name in any way is not involved in a any land related cases. Neither there are any cases against some particular monastery person. Under the general policy of Himachal Pradesh, if there has been any illegal land dealing then it would be investigated. If there would be any case against Tibetans or any other person, then law would treat every one equally and would proceed accordingly."
Recently, Indian police found an equivalent of around $1 million in the Karmapa Lama's monastery. Much of this money was in Chinese currency which has caused a lot of suspicious from Indian officials and media. Many are accusing the Karmapa Lama of being a Chinese spy. He claims that the money has come in donations from all over the world including Buddhists in China. It is still an ongoing event as police try to acquire more evidence. There is more I could summarize, but I'd better just give a link: http://www.minnpost.com/worldcsm/2011/02/15/25813/tibets_karmapa_lama_fueling_china_and_india_border_tensions (and if anyone is interested in seeing more links, I have more.)
Unless things are very quickly and neatly cleaned up, this event will most likely have a large significance for my project when we get to Mcleod Ganj in May. Even if the conflict is "resolved", the event has already caused many Indians to worry about their Tibetan neighbors and suspect them of having secret ties to China. However it turns out, relations between the two communities may take a while to mend simply because of the doubts that have been raised. It may also turn out to be a doorway to further conflicts and suspicions between Tibetans and Indians.
I plan on keeping a close eye on this as well as working it into my project and my story.
Update:
I just read another article, looking at the Hamachel Pradesh's chief minister's point of view on the event. He says that it is under investigation by the central government and that his state government has nothing to comment or add. If the central government finds no fault, than he has no reason to look further. From what I read, he seems to counter the media, or at least try to calm people down about the issue.
He reminds the people: "Karmapa's name in any way is not involved in a any land related cases. Neither there are any cases against some particular monastery person. Under the general policy of Himachal Pradesh, if there has been any illegal land dealing then it would be investigated. If there would be any case against Tibetans or any other person, then law would treat every one equally and would proceed accordingly."
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thesis
In our big group class the other day we were talking about writing 5 paragraph essays and the way they should be structured. As I was taking notes, I wrote down what I thought the thesis of my project would be, and for some reason, it kind of surprised me. To this point we've done a lot of work with asking questions, but I had never tried to state exactly what I thought or hoped the answer or outcome would be.
I wrote this as my thesis in my notes: "A shared belief in charity and compassion has the power to bring two different people/cultures together."
(I will finish this later.)
I wrote this as my thesis in my notes: "A shared belief in charity and compassion has the power to bring two different people/cultures together."
(I will finish this later.)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Story Idea
I've been thinking a lot about what I want the story of my film to be, and how I can tell that story. Today I was thinking about it, and took a different approach, thinking: What story would I tell if I were making a fiction film about the same subject and theme?
The idea I had was to have two specific characters, an Indian and a Tibetan; the Tibetan comes into India from Tibet in search of refuge and comes into contact with the Indian who helps him get his feet on the ground and start a new life in India. As time goes by, the Tibetan becomes well established, but the Indian runs into hard times. But, the Tibetan, remembering the charity of his Indian friend is now able to turn around and give back to his friend.
This obviously is very basic for a fiction film idea, but for a documentary it is a great start. Before I was thinking about looking at Tibetans and Indians as more of a whole, or a community as opposed to individuals, but I think if I found a couple really great individuals to follow, it could make the story much more personal and touching to the audience.
What I am thinking is that I could find an Indian who helped Tibetans coming into Mcleod Ganj and is now being helped in one way or another by the Tong-Len Charitable Trust Organization (maybe his child goes to one of their schools). It may take a little searching to find the right person, but I don't think it would be too hard to fit into this category. Then, if this person knows personally any Tibetan working for the Tong-Len Organization, this person could become my Tibetan character.
Things may not work out perfectly, but I think that if I can take this route, and focus on just a small handful of individuals, it will make the film much more powerful.
The idea I had was to have two specific characters, an Indian and a Tibetan; the Tibetan comes into India from Tibet in search of refuge and comes into contact with the Indian who helps him get his feet on the ground and start a new life in India. As time goes by, the Tibetan becomes well established, but the Indian runs into hard times. But, the Tibetan, remembering the charity of his Indian friend is now able to turn around and give back to his friend.
This obviously is very basic for a fiction film idea, but for a documentary it is a great start. Before I was thinking about looking at Tibetans and Indians as more of a whole, or a community as opposed to individuals, but I think if I found a couple really great individuals to follow, it could make the story much more personal and touching to the audience.
What I am thinking is that I could find an Indian who helped Tibetans coming into Mcleod Ganj and is now being helped in one way or another by the Tong-Len Charitable Trust Organization (maybe his child goes to one of their schools). It may take a little searching to find the right person, but I don't think it would be too hard to fit into this category. Then, if this person knows personally any Tibetan working for the Tong-Len Organization, this person could become my Tibetan character.
Things may not work out perfectly, but I think that if I can take this route, and focus on just a small handful of individuals, it will make the film much more powerful.
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