Yesterday afternoon, I headed off to film in a market in Lagos.  I was a bit nervous for while I had a remarkable few days around the city, shooting in markets can be dicey.  Now admittedly, I was well accompanied.  I am certain that alone, I would not have lasted long, but guiding us into this world was Amanda Angell, a smart, lovely, fun woman who, as the daughter of the former police chief of Lagos, had a very good sense of how to work in this city.

As soon as we got to the location, I climbed up the stairs of a pedestrian overpass to get a good view of the crowded market entrance.  It was a perfect perch, human energy, like a bee hive below, with enough distance (and a long enough zoom) to capture lots of cool moments.  Then after a week of hitchless shooting, two of the screws that hold the plate on the Sony Ex 1 fell out and were gone into the street below.  There were two left but it was insufficient to hold the camera down.  At first, I tried using the tripod to balance the camera, but it was really impossible. Exasperated I dismounted the plate and began trying to tighten the remaining screws, each the size of a pin head. Amanda and my partner from SW Global, Anita Nomah suggested they go look for a screwdriver in the market which struck me as looking for a needle in a haystack.

At this moment, a young man who had been watching me for the past ten minutes approached.  After a quick glance at the camera he said, “let me see if I an help” and he reached into his bag which unexpectedly contained a set of well used tools.  He then pulled out a mini screwdriver that fit perfectly and in a few seconds all was fixed.

People here are poised for opportunities and ready to work hard when they come and deeply grateful when that ingenuity is appropriately rewarded.

Something like a metaphor….

I’m in traffic on my way back to my hotel in Accra, Ghana at the end of a long day of shooting. I am here to make a film on SW Global, a nascent software company headquartered in Accra, whose dedicated team is trying to revolutionize the way their country – and their continent – does business. I’m here solo, shooting and directing without technical support – another crazy challenge. This project is also particularly hard because it’s not easy to make a strong film about technology. How to avoid boredom?

Yet, Dr. Aloy Chife, SW Global’s founder and CEO, is inspiring, forthright and a visionary. If we get this right, we not only help SW Global succeed but we can raise worldwide awareness of an intriguing path to progress.

… Just as I was noting the terrible traffic, our driver lurched forward and slammed into the car in front of us. No one was hurt, but the long ride at he end of a long day just got a lot worse.

I’m on the plane to Ghana and then a few days later off to Nigeria. This comes after a week in Amsterdam, a week in Guinea and quick foray to Indiana. And, if that weren’t mind boggling already, I stop off for three hours or so in Atlanta for one meeting on the way back. Ouch.

Actually, besides being mentally exhausted and a bit bedraggled after the closing night party at IDFA, and overwhelmed by the traveling ahead, I feel pretty good. It is a bit crazy to be with the equipment for a shoot alone (three cameras!) in Nigeria, which I’m told is a hard place to work.

Right now, I just want to get to Accra without losing anything! Then, I’ll figure out how to make this film (Connected)….

Always at the start I’m a bit nervous… so many unknowns!

Angola’s warden Burl Cain told a group of legislators Friday that there are about 200 prisoners he would send home if he could…..
Click to here read the entire article!

I just finished the Q and A for the first IDFA screening, it was very positive. It always feels good to show the film (The Farm: 10 Down) on a big screen, hard pressed to achieve the “emotion” of the Prison premiere, but it’s a smart crowd here and it’s been good conversation all week.

As well as trying to sell our films and be a good and attentive jury member, I am also here to learn more about the Charles Taylor project. I’ve got an appointment down in the Hague Sunday, but the chances of actually making contact with the ex-president is impossible. I don’t believe any journalist has had that kind of access. Right now, I just want to meet his lawyer.

Amsterdam is a party city, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need some sleep…. time for bed!