50. Happy Birthday, Densil san!

This is Mr. Weerasooriya Log Gamagalalage Densil (we call him simply "Densil san") from Sri Lanka. Today, September 26, is his birthday.
In our group, the birthday person offers sweets to friends. I find it interesting, since we do not have that custom here in Japan (I guess so). So Densil san has sweets container in his hands.
Always smiling gently, Densil san is like a philosopher.

49. Here is our Birthday Girl!

Nid san from Thailand is our birthday girl today. Her (official) name is Ms. Poopha Rabiab, but we call her "Nid san".

We had a birthday party in our special place (our studio in fact). This time, it was a joint party with Densil san's. His birthday is 26th, only a week after, so we made them together.
Mr. Maekawa, our beloved Chief Instructor, entertained us as usual with his performance of magic. Most of us got cheated...fascinated with it. We all like his magic.

Lastly, we took a group photo. It was nice to have everyone gathered like this.
Let me wish best of luck to you all!

48. A week with three subjects...

Fortunately (maybe), the typhoon Shanshan did not directly hit our island, Okinawa. But it gave serious damages on the southern outer islands of Okinawa, and on some areas of mainland Japan.



Alright, it is time to review our last week. The participants has covered three subjects since last Monday.
1. Audio recording for video w/Kiyuna san
2. Grammar of the shot & edit w/Uramoto san
3. Flash animation for video production w/Kiyuna san


There have been several group works these days.
Well, in the actual video production, group (or team) work is the usual way of working. This time, the participants are lucky to experience "international project".


I know this is fun, but also tough at the same time. The fun part is to know the idea of the others, and the tough part lies in learning cooperating with others, sometimes compromise is necessary.

47. El Salvador, salute to you!

September 15 is the National day of El Salvador. We have a participant from El Salvador, Foncho san.
It was not until this afternoon that we got to know about the day, but I could take picture of Foncho san and the flag. This time, Ema san from Peru is there with Foncho san as a classmate. (Friendship assistance)
A lot of congratulations!

46. Typhoon Shanshan

We are all looking forward to the coming weekend, since it is 3-day off.
But, unfortulately (maybe), a typhoon #16 (named Shanshan) has been approaching.
I keep my fingers crossed for the participants and myself.

45. Maligayang kaarawan! or Happy Birthday, Bryan!

Four out of twelve participants celebrate his/her birthday during staying with us.
Second birthday boy is Mr. Bryan from the Philippines. Today, September 11, is his birthday, and we had a gathering for him. Like I hoped on Simon san's birthday, I also hope this one will be a memorable one for him.

This time, a special cake was prepared by Kaneshiro san, our coordinator. It was also for Simon san, so two names were written. Can you tell which is which??

44. Lighting for video shooting

"Lighting for video shooting" followed "Basics of video shooting".


They had several practicals in the studio.


After the exercises, Nishimura san gave his comments.

43. Video shooting

As the second technical subject, "Basics of Video Shooting" was presented. After learning some theories, each participant had his/her own video camera (sorry, only during their stay with us!).



The participants did settings by themselves, then they had three exercises.


They made pairs for exercises 2 and 3. Because it is video shooting exercise, they had to act for the partner.


We, the instructors, were impressed that there are some good actors :D


By the way, this lecture was submitted as streaming video. Maekawa san and Kiyuna san worked on this. MTEC is planning to have this again for other subjects. Look forward!

42. First dinner out of the class

The group had the first dinner out on September 1 (Friday). It was a kind of celebration for the group to survive the first training week! Most of the class (plus two friends), instructors and coordinator joined.

The picture on the left shows Kaneshiro san(aka Brandy san), Mark san(Kenya) and Nid san(Thailand). All photos in this article were contributed by Mark san. Thanks, Arigato, Asante!

Kellys san(Zambia) was busy taking photos. There were some others, who were also busy taking photos. Hey, this is the time of electronics and we have common folder. So from next time, why don't we assign "photographer of the day" and leave shooting to him/her, then share!





We already have some requests of other outings such as Sushi cuisine. Alright, we will have other occasions, after some important subjects :D

41. First training week was...

As a course leader, I, MTEC-HQ, have been too busy this week to update our blog. I managed to post yesterday, because it was Simon san's birthday. (Birthday should not be missed, shouln't it?)

Today, I would like to report this week.
Course Orientation was held on August 28th, Monday.

Each staff member and participant made self introduction. Then the overview of the training such as the objectives, the schedule and the evaluation.

"Action Plan" was lectured by Tokumura san, so that all participants can describe how they utilize our training upon their return.

"Basics of Editing" followed that. Seven out of twelve participants are having their first experience with non-linear editing by Adobe Premiere Pro.I was very happy that I could see the participants helped each other from this first subject. Keep going!