Looking Back

By: Kim Sanchez

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.

I can't believe how fast these two months have passed. Looking back, I can't believe how far I've come since the first day. I've made a lot of great friends here and many memories that I will never forget. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to come here and work with this program. I have learned a lot and produced a lot of works that I am proud to add to my portfolio.

Here are some examples of work for my internship:


 

(1) Colonial Zone Video

(2) FUNGLODE Gallery

(3) Marketing Photos

(3) Marketing Photos

(4) UNIBE Video

(5) Student of the Week - InteRDom

During my stay in the DR, I have been taking every opportunity to explore, meet people, and be involved in film! For example, I made a lot of friends in the One Race Film Foundation, a filmmaking course partnered with FUNGLODE. I was welcomed onto film sets, and assisted with editing.

(6) One Race Film Foundation @ Film Festival After Party

 











I've done a lot of creative photography. As well as made numerous travelogue videos. This is very good practice for me, because I would like to be a travel photographer for a living.

(7) Creative Photo

(8) Travel Photo

 


 

















I have access to a lot of equipment, facilities, and advising through my internship. I was able to produce a demo reel, which is a collection of my work that I can show potential clients and future employers. I also produced a demo reel for Ariginalshoot, a local independent production company.

(9) Demo Reel Link

I have had many opportunities to independently explore other cultural activities. For example, I was invited to record a capoeira class at the Center of Brazilian Culture.

 (10) Capoeira Class

There is a big interest in independent film here in DR. I have been networking with a lot of photographers, filmmakers, and artists around the city who are excited to collaborate and create. For example, I have just finished shooting a music video for a choreographer I met at UNIBE. I also met a director who recruited me as Director of Photography in a short film, called Cruzando La Linea.

(11) Screenshot - Music Video

(12) Screenshot - Music Video 2

(13) Cruzando la Linea - On Set

(14) Cruzando la Linea - Crew

 

 


 

(15) Cruzando la Linea - Screenshot

 







































I have built a lot of confidence during my internship here. I can feel that I am different now than when I first arrived.

I am so excited to return and start applying my experience in my videography.

Accidental Adventures and Other Impromptu Fun

By: Kim Sanchez

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.

Two weeks ago, Ikenna and I took a spur-of-the-moment excursion to Los Tres Ojos, a beautiful cave with three underground lakes. There, we practiced our photography skills and took some cool long exposures in the dark. Next, we bartered for some cool gifts for our families. Then, I called a taxi to bring us to our final destination, Agora Mall. After waiting some time without any sign of the cab, a man on a motorbike* offered us a ride. After some "serious contemplation" of the inherent risks of the situation, Ikenna and I shrugged our shoulders and excitedly mounted the bike. Zooming down the street was thrilling! We dodged traffic a little too close for comfort, especially for Ikenna and his long legs that were sticking out. To sum up my feelings about the experience, I am currently searching online for motorbikes to purchase in Toledo… I'm so glad our taxi never came!

On the 10th, I was lucky enough to enjoy my birthday in the DR. I'm sure others were annoyed that I invited Hurricane Chantal to my party, but I was ecstatic to finally have an excuse to stay in my pajamas and watch movies ALL DAY.
Later that week, our group had plans to watch a play. Although I wanted to go, I wasn't feeling well and at the last minute I decided to stay in. Next thing I know, Ines is calling me…
"Kim!! You need to come downstairs. Loriel needs to talk to us, I think we're in trouble."
 And me, recollecting of all the mischief we have got into so far, anxiously entered the room.
To my sweet surprise, I found Loriel waiting with a cake to celebrate mine and Ikenna's birthdays! The InteRDom staff is so thoughtful. Who knew that cake was the perfect remedy and I could attend the play after all.

Last weekend was super crazy. We all went out to celebrate Ikenna's and we had a lot of fun, consequently, I could barely get myself out of bed early the next morning for our InteRDom excursion to Cuevas de las Maravillas, a super cool cave with preserved Taino drawings.

I slept the entire way, the type of sleep that feels like time traveling. But I was wide awake as soon as I discovered how magnificent the cave was. It felt holy, like a great cathedral. Next stop was Altos de Chavon, the most beautiful campus I have ever seen. I took tons of photos and I think I will try and take a course there some day. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at La Cantina. I ordered a chicken crepe - a dish I loved so much, I went home and recreated it.

Immediately after returning from our day trip, Ines and I quickly changed and headed to Estadio Olímpico for the Telemicro Concert featuring Daddy Yankee, the love of my life. I was in the right place at the right time and scored free VIP passes at work - which I was super stoked about. We had some trouble at the gate bringing our purses in. So we threw them into a tree and then joined the giant mass of dancing people. It was crazy, I had the best time. Fortunately, our purses remained untouched in the tree.

Ines and I returned from the concert at 4am. We had heard that a tour group was on their way to Bahia de las Aguilas at 5am. So we had just enough time to shower, eat, and meet up with them. Since we had not slept in two days, we passed out hard on the bus… more "time traveler’s sleep". It was cute, Ines and I took turns waking one another after falling asleep in a super uncomfortable position on the bus. I had no idea that we would be so close to Haiti. We stopped by the border, and I purchased some Barbancourt rum! Finally, we arrived at the restaurant, enjoyed a lovely buffet, and then hopped on a boat ride to the beach. The water felt wonderful, and it was SO WORTH the exhaustion of two days without sleep!

I've had so many adventures in such a short amount of time. My favorite part is that most of those experiences were impromptu, and required me to just go with the flow and see where it took me. If I have learned anything about traveling abroad, it is that you have to have an open mind. The best experiences happen when you least expect it, so take every opportunity to encounter something new. 

*Neither the InteRDom program nor its parent institutions, GFDD and FUNGLODE, promote the use of motor-taxis or "motoconchos" as a form of transportation. Students are informed as to the risks of riding these vehicles both before departure and during their orientation to the program, and understand that in riding them they are doing so at their own risk.*  

In my element

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film

By: Kim Sanchez

and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.

We went to Constanza on Sunday for a three mile hike and it was the best time! I had so much fun. I love hiking and being outdoors, but I made sure to shower myself with mosquito repellent first. I love mountains. I never see them back home. Some day I will climb taller mountains, but this was a nice day trip.

I've been filming lately. Last Friday I accompanied Krysta to an fundraising event for her internship with TECHO. Then Monday I accompanied Alex to her internship with MLB for another charity event. It was a pleasure to watch these girls in action, taking initiative, and doing their part to make a difference. It was not difficult to collect a lot of footage from these events. I'm glad that our internships are mobilizing us and allowing us to interact with so many interesting people.

Work is keeping me busy. No matter where I go, or how hard I try I always adopt a bad habit I like to call "editor's sleep". It's when I get so immersed in my video projects that I stay up all night editing and take short naps while footage is rendering. I thought that working a 9 to 5 internship would correct my insomnia, but no luck. It's not very healthy, but I do it because I love doing it. Making videos take a lot out of me, but it's only to satisfy this intense urge to create something. And how could I resist when there are so many opportunities to capture beauty in this country?

Please enjoy these photos from our hiking trip!

A Note to My Friends

         By: Kim Sanchez

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.

Dear Friends, 

I'm having a wonderful time here! Work is keeping me busy. I'm editing together footage from art expositions held at FUNGLODE. This country has a lot of cultural events to offer, you would love it here. I'm never bored! There is always something to do or to see here.

Another intern and I went out to a neighborhood bar called El Secreto Musical. There, we saw professional dancers dance merengue, salsa, and bachata. It wasn't long before they pulled us onto the dance floor also. I have a terrible sense of rhythm, but it was still super fun!

We've made friends with other International and Dominican students also working within other organizations at FUNGLODE. They are all so fun loving and ready to explore the city as well. They stay at a hotel nearby, so we definitely took advantage of their pool. Also, the bars here are crazy and so much fun! We all went out until late into the morning and ate breakfast at the famous Barra Payan. 

Also, there is a variety of malls here. Of course, I hit up the frozen yogurt places. You know that I am a frozen yogurt fiend! Also, I need to go shopping for clothes. You were right, I did not pack enough clothing! 

We also had another excursion. This time we went to Santiago to visit a family farm and a museum called Centro Leon. Santiago is beautiful. When I take you to the Dominican Republic we will have to spend a lot of time exploring Santiago. Enjoy the pictures from our trip!

I miss you all. 

Much love,
Kim
 


 

Dear Family, I'm Not Dead!

 By: Kim Sanchez

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.

Dear Family, I'm Not Dead!

I was so nervous at the airport, but my anxiety quickly disappeared when I arrived to our apartment. It's much nicer than I imagined! We have lots of space, a full kitchen, and a balcony with a view of the ocean. I wanted to explore immediately!

The first weekend the other interns and I ventured out into the neighborhood. We picked up groceries from the supermarket, ate some delicious Dominican food, and hung out at El Malecon by the waterfront. At night we had some fun learning how to order from el colmado, a local carry-out that delivers anything (a much needed service back home).

There was a little bit of culture shock. For example, despite the heat many Dominicans prefer not to wear shorts (Ohioans wear shorts even in cold weather). Also, everyone speaks very fast here and I'm trying my best to keep up. However, I can feel myself getting better every day. I'm quickly adjusting with the help of the InteRDom staff and other students.

To kick off our program, we had a week long orientation that included workshops, tours, and a public transportation tutorial (It's really easy to get around here). They gave us the "low down" on some local customs and also prepped us for meeting our employers.

For my internship I will create many videos for our activities, including our first excursion to Zona Colonial, the first colonial city in the New World. I have access to use the multimedia facility (sweet!) and I even have my own cubicle (which I'm very proud of).

Anyway, I want to let you know that I'm alive and well here in Santo Domingo. I've made friends and I'm very comfortable (although I should have packed more bug repellent).

I miss you all and I hope someday I can bring you to this beautiful place!

Love,
Kim

P.S.

Please enjoy this video post-card from a festival that a few girls and I attended!

Why bother leaving home?

By: Kim Sanchez

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here.


"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." St. Augustine
 
Everyone around me seems to have a fear of traveling. They believe that other countries are foreign and dangerous. However, I believe the world is simply too big to stay in one place. I have this unsettling feeling that I’m living in a cage with the door wide open and that's why I have to leave.

I'm a filmmaker. I make short films about myself and the world around me. I'm so interested in how a filmmaker can manipulate images and sounds to tell a story and be understood. Just in the past year I've travelled across the US, to Portugal, and to the Azores for filmmaking. I just can't stop leaving! I'm realizing now that my art is making me mobile, but what I really want to do is mobilize others. I want others to watch my films and then be inspired to take action in some way. This is why I'm leaving for the Dominican Republic.

For 10 weeks this summer I'll be working with La Fundación de Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), a nonprofit organization that promotes human development and globalization in the Dominican Republic. I couldn't have dreamed of a more fitting opportunity! 

As an audiovisual intern, I will be involved in shooting, mixing, and editing video productions for the organization. In addition, I will live in student housing and take classes at La Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE). I'm so excited to become a part of this organization and use my skills to help educate and reach others.
 
I leave tomorrow. I am very excited to be part of this organization and to use my skills to educate and reach others. I'm really stressed out juggling work, moving into a new apartment, and preparing to travel abroad. I've been practicing my Spanish, but I'm still very nervous about speaking. I'm an adaptable person, but my deepest fear is that people will speak too quickly for me to understand. But this is exactly what I want! It's not supposed to be easy and pleasant all the time, if it were, why bother leaving home? I want to be challenged. I want to learn. I want to grow. This is why I have to leave, and it's why you should too.