As part of the Patch Project, first three workshops were dedicated to issues related to the production of four half-hour episodes, while the remaining three were promotional workshops where the entire project along with the recorded material was presented to wider public.
First Patch Team Workshop
The first workshop was held in Belgrade on March 10-11, 2007.
Partner teams from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia attended the workshop.
The event was marked by constructive atmosphere and good communication among all eighteen participants (three from each partner organisation).
Four topics on the basis of which four half-hour shows, consisting of five-minute-long packages by each of the six teams, would be produced were designated (Legacy, Lifestyle, Vulnerable Groups, Freedoms).
Also, ‘milestones' (key words) were defined thus providing basic guidelines for the treatment of selected topics - Socially Engaged, Subversive, Professional, Clear and Emotional, Lively, Universal, Original.
Photo gallery from the first workshop:
Second Patch Team Workshop
The second workshop was held in Zagreb on April 28-29, 2007.
Partner teams from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia attended the second workshop in Zagreb (host: FADEiN).
On the first day, the workshop focused on an analysis of the material filmed in the meantime concerning the first chosen theme - Legacy. An agreement was reached on which changes, improvements and cuts should be made in all six works that were presented and analysed.
On the second day, the workshop shifted its emphasis on more detailed drafting and elaboration of scripts for packages which should respond to the remaining three, previously defined topics: Lifestyle, Vulnerable Groups and Freedoms. Also, options for the ‘commercial' title of the series were considered.
Dates were agreed for the production of the recorded material on remaining three topics as well as detailed production framework for the entire series.
Photo gallery from the second workshop:
Third Patch Team Workshop
The third workshop, which was at the same time also an informal meeting of the Project Board Team for the Patch Project, was held in Sarajevo on August 25-26, 2007.
Workshop hosts were XY Films, the partner organisation from Sarajevo.
As the project was entering its final phase, the workshop presented an opportunity to analyse video material which the partner teams filmed on the remaining three (out of the total of four) topics.
Most of the teams were present and in the course of the workshop's first day, a screening of the material recorded so far was organised, and corrections serving as finishing touches to the entire content material constituting TV series' four half-hour episodes were agreed.
Serious consideration was given to the issue of what the best possible title for the TV series would be. Finally, by majority vote, ‘NA EKS' (‘BOTTOMS UP') was selected. Also, a proposal was made that each episode covering one of the four topics (Legacy, Lifestyle, Vulnerable Groups and Freedoms) should have their subtitles. Thus, the show on Vulnerable Groups is supposed to be called On Sidelines, while the one delving into Freedoms should be called Across the Border.
The second day of the workshop was used for planning the TV series broadcast time slots at media outlets on partner territories as well as planning the screenings of recorded material at international and local film festivals.
An agreement was reached to gather information carefully and make an informed decision on adjusting the dynamics of broadcasting the series on the media and screenings at festivals so as to avoid complications concerning premieres showings.
Photo from the third workshop:
Fourth Patch Team Workshop
There was promotional workshop held in Skopje (Macedonia) during its 6th Festival of European Film - Macedonian Film Festival, 16.-23. November, 2007.
Documentary series "NA EX" participated in screening and panel discussion that followed it, within the additional program to "Cinedays", called "Balkan Images".
This particular program lasted two days, from 18th to 20th November, 2007 and Executive Producer as well as producers from partners' organizations took role of both participants and moderators on the panel discussion.
Participants talked about themes of the episodes of the series, in general, but mainly about the episode that was screened - "Heritage". It was perceived that certain issues will be always relevant and generally intriguing such as: role of young professionals in post-conflict societies, their socially responsible engagement, artistic approach to rather important political problems etc.
"Cinedays" Festival was especially successful regarding the reaction to series, given the fact that the first episode was just out of the editing room couple of days before its first public screening in Skopje Film Festival.
More information on "Cinedays" Festival can be found on http://www.cinedays.com.mk/
