Thoughts on “Visions of Truth” – Yuba City

Posted by Jakara in Remember 1984 Campaign, Yuba City Sep 8th, 2009 | no responses

The “Visions of Truth” film series was launched this past Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at Yuba College.  It was a success, with even some non-Sikhs joining the audience.  The following was a critique by one of the organizers.  We are publishing it online to help other groups and cities that will be participating, as well as for helping other future initiatives by young Sikh activists.

After finishing Visions of Truth in Yuba City today I would like to give some suggestions for the upcoming film screenings:

  • If possible do an afternoon/evening event.  Unfortunately, many prefer to sleep in rather than attending a film screening.
  • Go in a few days before your event to make sure the DVDs are compatible with the devices that you will be given.  If done at a school campus make sure that the sound works as well. Also this will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the equipment.
  • Have a back up plan if people show up late-if only a few people come on time have something planned so the audience doesn’t get bored.  You definitely want to start on time, but with IST it gets difficult.
  • Pass out flyers. We only did posters due to the time constraint, but by passing out flyers people will read it and remember.
  • Assign someone to take pictures during the event. And if possible get a tri-pod so the pictures aren’t blurry-or if someone has a high-tech camera. It just slipped my mind that the lights are off during a movie screening.
  • Refreshments would definitely be a good idea. You can keep it simple by just doing water. Plus, soda and most juices aren’t too good for the body anyways.
  • If you are not doing it at a location that most people know, have some places to eat in mind-that is if you are not serving lunch/dinner. (Which would be difficult since you do not know how many people are going to attend.)
  • Before the clips read a short intro and then after each one summarize what was seen/go over the key parts/add something-incorporate the knowledge that you already have
  • Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE :)

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCREENING

Some additional notes:

A few of Americans had come to the event because it was sponsored by the student government and these attendees said that our organization was amazing in actually having events such as this one. They said that it is difficult to get the youth to come out but by even getting the word out to anyone and everyone is spectacular.  On this note I was thinking since the movies have subtitles it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invite non-Sikhs as well.  They shouldn’t be our main target, but if we have good friends who aren’t Sikh and that would be willing to come, it would be a good idea to spread the message.  But there is + and – for that. Since it might be difficult for some to read subtitles for a few hours.

After finishing Visions of Truth in Yuba CIty today I would like to give some suggestions for the upcoming film screenings:
-If possible do an afternoon/evening event.  The youth has become very lazy and many prefer to sleep in rather than attending a film screening.
-Go in a few days before your event to make sure the DVDs are compatible with the devices that you will be given.  If done at a school campus make sure that the sound works as well. Also this will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the equipment.
-Have a back up plan if people show up late-if only a few people come on time have something planned so the audience doesn’t get bored.  You definitely want to start on time, but with IST it gets difficult.
-Pass out flyers. We only did posters due to the time constraint, but by passing out flyers people will read it and remember.
-Assign someone to take pictures during the event. And if possible get a tri-pod so the pictures aren’t blurry-or if someone has a high-tech camera. It just slipped my mind that the lights are off during a movie screening.
- Refreshments would definitely be a good idea. You can keep it simple by just doing water. Plus, soda and most juices aren’t too good for the body anyways.
-If you are not doing it at a location that most people know, have some places to eat in mind-that is if you are not serving lunch/dinner. (Which would be difficult since you do not know how many people are going to attend.
-Before the clips read a short intro and then after each one summarize what was seen/go over the key parts/add something-incorporate the knowledge that you already have
-Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE :)
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCREENING
Now the critique for Yuba City:
The not so good:
-technical difficulties in the morning.
-poor location
-time constraint on publicizing
-time the event began
-number of attendees
-I had one complaint about the movie Amu-he said that there were other full length movies out there that depicted the events of 84 in a better way. He didn’t have them by name but I definitely ask.
The good:
-audience enjoyed the clips
-audience learned about the events that occurred in 84
-attendees were enthusiastic about spreading the message and helping with the upcoming kids camp
-attendees said the event was well organized and logistics were great (besides the technical difficulties) Thanks to our lovely Jakara volunteers in Fresno and San Jose :)
-we have an article being published in the Yuba College newspaper-I will find her contact info and ask her when it will be published and ask for a copy
-A few of Americans had come to the event because it was sponsored by the student government and these attendees said that our organization was amazing in actually having events such as this one. They said that it is difficult to get the youth to come out but by even getting the word out to anyone and everyone is spectacular.  On this note I was thinking since the movies have subtitles it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invite non-Sikhs as well.  They shouldn’t be our main target, but if we have good friends who aren’t Sikh and that would be willing to come, it would be a good idea to spread the message.  But there is + and – for that. Since it might be difficult for some to read subtitles for a few hours.
-Do some research or read a book about 1984 and incorporate it in what you say.  Before the clips I had just said the intro Simran gave us on the guide, but after each film/clip it would be good to reflect and say a few lines about what you just saw.
I believe that is about it. If I remember anything else I will definitely let you know.After finishing Visions of Truth in Yuba CIty today I would like to give some suggestions for the upcoming film screenings:
-If possible do an afternoon/evening event.  The youth has become very lazy and many prefer to sleep in rather than attending a film screening.
-Go in a few days before your event to make sure the DVDs are compatible with the devices that you will be given.  If done at a school campus make sure that the sound works as well. Also this will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the equipment.
-Have a back up plan if people show up late-if only a few people come on time have something planned so the audience doesn’t get bored.  You definitely want to start on time, but with IST it gets difficult.
-Pass out flyers. We only did posters due to the time constraint, but by passing out flyers people will read it and remember.
-Assign someone to take pictures during the event. And if possible get a tri-pod so the pictures aren’t blurry-or if someone has a high-tech camera. It just slipped my mind that the lights are off during a movie screening.
- Refreshments would definitely be a good idea. You can keep it simple by just doing water. Plus, soda and most juices aren’t too good for the body anyways.
-If you are not doing it at a location that most people know, have some places to eat in mind-that is if you are not serving lunch/dinner. (Which would be difficult since you do not know how many people are going to attend.
-Before the clips read a short intro and then after each one summarize what was seen/go over the key parts/add something-incorporate the knowledge that you already have
-Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE :)
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCREENING
Now the critique for Yuba City:
The not so good:
-technical difficulties in the morning.
-poor location
-time constraint on publicizing
-time the event began
-number of attendees
-I had one complaint about the movie Amu-he said that there were other full length movies out there that depicted the events of 84 in a better way. He didn’t have them by name but I definitely ask.
The good:
-audience enjoyed the clips
-audience learned about the events that occurred in 84
-attendees were enthusiastic about spreading the message and helping with the upcoming kids camp
-attendees said the event was well organized and logistics were great (besides the technical difficulties) Thanks to our lovely Jakara volunteers in Fresno and San Jose :)
-we have an article being published in the Yuba College newspaper-I will find her contact info and ask her when it will be published and ask for a copy
-A few of Americans had come to the event because it was sponsored by the student government and these attendees said that our organization was amazing in actually having events such as this one. They said that it is difficult to get the youth to come out but by even getting the word out to anyone and everyone is spectacular.  On this note I was thinking since the movies have subtitles it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invite non-Sikhs as well.  They shouldn’t be our main target, but if we have good friends who aren’t Sikh and that would be willing to come, it would be a good idea to spread the message.  But there is + and – for that. Since it might be difficult for some to read subtitles for a few hours.
-Do some research or read a book about 1984 and incorporate it in what you say.  Before the clips I had just said the intro Simran gave us on the guide, but after each film/clip it would be good to reflect and say a few lines about what you just saw.
I believe that is about it. If I remember anything else I will definitely let you know


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