Location: Trinidad
Contact: tamika_phillip@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/wolisoproductions
Exhibitions, Awards, Performances:
- Senior thesis production grant - St. Francis College, NY
- US State Department grant to produce documentary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Television programs featured on TV6 and Gayelle TV

More from Tamika...
"You're living in a dream world." This is was what my mother would say to me in response to my list of dreamy ambitions. I'm 26 now and for some reason I don't hear this from my mom anymore. I'm Tamika Phillip and I'm an explorer moving along my path in life. I left Trinidad in 2000 to pursue a degree in New York with no clear path of study.  Eventually, I majored in Film and Broadcasting and the moment my first basic student documentary film aired at my college's film festival, I knew that telling intimate stories was what I wanted to do.

I became obsessed with the world of documentary film and for a while the Hollywood world didn't exist for me. Films such as, "Life and Debt" by Stephanie Black, "Dark Days" by Marc Singer and "Hoop Dreams" by Peter Gilbert, all touched my heart immensely.  PBS, HBO and BBC documentaries became my excitement. I fell asleep and woke up with stories in my mind. My primary school reports always read," too talkative and disruptive" - now I can finally channel those qualities to do good. I want my films to talk and I want them to disrupt our thoughts and actions enough to lead to some change.

Since graduation in 2004, I've worked in television documentary production and upon returning home I've worked as a freelance television producer. My senior thesis film was my foray into independent filming. Last year, I volunteered in Ethiopia and of course took my camera along. I soon learnt a big lesson - do your best as you never know who will see your work. Representatives from the US Embassy in Addis Ababa saw the video that I made about the school and asked me to come back to document a new scholarship program.

This year, 2006, I returned to Ethiopia and produced a short documentary funded by a grant from the US Embassy. I am now driven  to use media as a tool in international development and plan to further my studies in this area.

Tamika's advice to young aspiring artists...

With a mere two years entry-level experience, my advice is based on my lessons and some general facts. The field of documentary filmmaking, just like most other art forms has no defined path to making money. An intense desire to tell a story will surely drive you, but you must master the art of networking, proposal writing, attracting potential sponsors and grantees and be willing to work for little or no pay. Many filmmakers freelance in television documentary production and develop their personal projects on the side.

For me, I really just want to do whatever makes me happy and so far I've found work by taking risks and seeking out every possible job opportunity. There are loads of organizations out there that need their work documented. You have to find them. In Trinidad, respect for the art of filmmaking is still greatly lacking. However, the introduction of a B.A in Film at U.W.I, a new grant programme from the Tourism Development Company and new local television stations offer great possibilities and outlets for emerging local filmmakers.

What I would say to documentary fanatics like myself is to get in tune with what stories motivate you. Research the outlets that will air these stories and target them. Call them. Ask for job openings. Find, borrow, rent a camera, go out and shoot and edit, volunteer to film something for an organization. Get viewings for your work. Don't say, I wish I could work for the BBC- produce something and show them what you've got. Think about the story and not on proving yourself.

Most of all, surround yourself with thoughtful, like-minded people who are non-conformists and risk takers. I strongly believe in the potential of short form documentary and television series to bring Caribbean stories to foreign audiences. Our stories are not being told so if you consider yourself a pioneer and want to be groundbreaking, tap into the untold stories within the region but keep in mind that the world is your market. Whatever you do, just get out there and start filming!

Ethiopian Journals:Tilahune
by Tamika Phillip


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