In May 2011, I returned to Jumla to participate in another EWN (Empowering Women of Nepal) training. After the training was complete, I planned to visit the women I had in mind for the film. Get a sense of who would be featured and put all the pieces together in advance of when we shoot in November.
I feel very blessed that my scout went as well as it did. Everything fell into place. Everyone was very receptive to participating in the project.The women and their husbands. Possibly even more key, I found my production team. Soraj Shahi is a godsend and my production manager. I had known him from last year as he works with EWN as their field officer in Jumla. He speaks good English and knows everyone and everything in Jumla. He is smart, resourceful and I couldn't have asked for more. Anyone who can persuade the next door neighbours to give us electricity and let us drill a hole through their wall to wire it into our room, understands how to make things happen.
In addition to Soraj, I found a production assistant, Nisha Budha. We met when she attended the training this year. She is bright and although her English isn't amazing (yet), she is keen to help and understands my vision. She is also female. Down the line, I am going to want to have a woman with me talking to the women about women’s issues, and Soraj is capable of many things but whichever way you look at it, he is still male.
During scout week we went all over the district, interviewing women just to get a sense of who might be comfortable on camera and to give Sophie an idea of the conditions she will be shooting in when we come back with the tullo (big) camera.
Rooftop interview with a very sophisticated set up.
Team assembled. Our 'production office' is the back room upstairs at the guest house in Chautara (in case you were wondering). There was a wonderful camaraderie that developed in those days together and the rest of the local community very much embraced me and the project. It was an incredibly inspiring and affirming experience for me and I returned to Sophie full of ideas as well as messages of good will.
Our tickets are now booked. We arrive in Nepal at the end of October. I have a tentative schedule in place, so things are becoming more of a reality as each day passes. Soon the vision will be more than just an idea in my head.
My team in the production office and freshly baked buckwheat cake.