Basic Itinerary for Filmmaking Expedition with Sachi Cunningham

July 7:  Arrival

Arrive at Minneapolis airport (MSP).  Vehicle provided for 90 minute drive to WI. Arrive at Lakeshore cabin.  Settle in.  Meet Ben and Hillary.

July 8-16: Orientation and basic skills training

Daily schedule

7:30: wakeup, breakfast

9:00: group session

10:00: group photography/video basic skills excursions (hiking, canoeing)

3:00: personal time, unwind

4:30: group meal preparation

5:30 dinner and chores

7:00 individual therapy, free time, photo/video editing time, group trip planning and prep

9:30 wind down

10:30 lights out 

July 17: Travel to Panama.  Stay one night in Panama City.

July 18:  Travel to Eco Venao.  Meet Sachi. Get settled in.

July 19 – 24:  Welcome to Panama:  Local Exploration and Basic Filmmaking Skills

Mornings: Sachi leads basic filmmaking skills training sessions in and around Eco Venao. Video, audio, interview techniques.

Afternoons: Meet with various local groups and individuals doing interesting things in the area. Begin thinking about individual and group film projects.  Personal relaxation and surfing time.

Evenings: Group and individual therapy sessions.  Work on individual projects. 

Sunday off for play and surfing.

July 26 – August 1:  Dive into Film Projects

Solidify individual and group film projects.  Organize days and multi-day side excursions around creating necessary film footage.

Evenings for group and individual therapy, editing, relaxing. 

Sunday off for play and surfing.

August 2-5: Group vacation (decide as a group beforehand; rafting, whale watching, etc). 

August 6-12:  Complete Film Project and Become the Teachers

Gather remaining footage and transition into the editing process. 

Begin teaching photography/video skills to local youth group and help set up a new coastal community storytelling program.  Assist them in creating their own short, simple film. 

August 12: Sachi departs.

August 13: Depart for Panama City, spend one night there. 

August 14: Fly to Minneapolis, return to lake cabin

August 15-17:  Unwind and process

Unwind, reflect, work on transition plans home.  Put finishing touches on film projects. 

Premier student films at In a New Light Gallery in Webster, WI

August 18: Departure. 

Total = 42 days.