43. Production

Have you ever done something that makes you feel like you were born to do that very thing? I sort of feel like that these days. I'm back out on location, helping to shoot some TV spots for a campaign I'm working on. I'm up at 5:30 AM every morning and am not grumpy. I board a bus with 15 of my production crew members and munch on greasy sambosas for breakfast (I see a parasite coming my way), listen to cheesy female Pakistani Pashto singers whose voices have been so digitized that it sounds like a mouse is screeching and have found some creative places to use as a bathroom. 

I love watching how the production unit set up. It’s sort of like every member of the crew was put on this earth to do their specific job. It’s so great to work with people who take their jobs seriously and who are competent. This is very rare to see in this country that has been devastated by war and conflict for over 30 years. Just being out in the open and enjoying free air outside of Kabul is a welcomed changed. I’ve learned that production is a very complicated and sophisticated art form. I work with very creative people who have these amazing visions that they are able to re-create in real life and then capture in such a way on camera that just leaves me speechless. 

As a project manager, I’ve been fortunate to be part of the whole process from inception to concept planning, development of story boards, filming and editing. I have watched how so many separate elements such as lighting, sound, music composition, graphics, and filming come together to create a piece of work that can make so much difference to a viewer. The quality of work is dependent on how everyone comes together to share the ultimate vision. Although each person is responsible for one particular area, they are part of the whole process that brings the vision to reality. 

I used to watch Afghan television program and networks back in the US that were predominately produced by Afghans in the US and was amazed at the lack of creativity and quality the programming the shows had. I had given up hope on ever seeing anything resembling quality or standards or creativity from the Afghan community. But I can honestly say that I’m very impressed with the quality of production I see coming from Afghanistan. It’s so refreshing to be around people how are creative and professional. But most importantly, it’s an amazing feeling to know that I was a part of something so magical.