“An opportunity for education rather than condemnation.”
This is how the Barbados Film & Video Association has responded to criticism following the publication of the article ‘Badness movie clips sparks probe’ published recently in the Sunday Sun.
The association issued a statement yesterday commending producer J. Life for acknowledging the error while encouraging support for local film producers and extending a hand to industry members in order to negate similar problems in the future.
The statement follows in its entirety.
Despite the recent backlash against local movie series, ’Badness’, President of the Barbados Film and Video Association, Damien Pinder expressed his belief that it should be viewed as an opportunity for education rather than condemnation.
“Producing a film goes beyond finding the script, talent and crew because there are certain rules and regulations that we must adhere to, and it’s important that we as a community support each other through these processes.
The episode of Badness in question which aired in December last year, filmed a scene on the compounds of the police station on Coleridge Street, The City. Though no officers or sentries appeared in the footage, the association recognises that certain protocols should have been followed and would urge any film producer to do so in the future whether it be a talent release, location release or any other permission that should be sought beforehand.
However, it is commendable that the producer J. Life has acknowledged his mistakes and has learned his lesson from this ordeal.
Recognising the young filmmaker’s plight, the Barbados Film & Video Association is eager to extend a helping hand to all scriptwriters, producers, directors, cinematographers and all who work in the film and video industry.
“Whatever project producers may be working on, we are here to give them the support they may need. That’s why the board of the BFVA has decided to eliminate membership fees for 2019, so that everyone can join this amazing community to get a taste of how much progress we can make in the industry once we stick together.”
