The Rakum blind students have done it again! They have completed the shooting of 7 short films in two days. Note the pride on their faces. And they have every reason to feel so. They have done what even most people with vision can't do. Make a film - end to end.

Each team loaded a tape into their camera, set-up the tripod. The partially sighted, framed the camera (with the help of an instructor). Great pains were taken to explain that a frame (in cinema) was different from the stage in theater. Using wooden frames, we explained, through touch and feel, how a subject or object was in the frame (or out of it). We would place these frames by the subjects' faces and let the blind feel how the frame only included a face for a close up. We had a bigger frame to 'feel' a medium shot (as being waist and above) and a much bigger frame to illustrate the long shot.

The blind got it. The spark of realization on their face was instant and memorable for us to watch. Just need to use imaginative tools to illustrate to them. Shooting was slower than it usually is for our sighted students. But we gave it time. Let each person on the team feel the frame, handle the camera and call out 'Action' and 'Cut'. They liked it. They liked being part of a world that was exclusive only to the sighted.

There were three teams that shot outdoors on the street. One film had a character endowed with sight, but played (naturally) by a blind student. What's more, this character drives a car. But that didn't deter us. We had the blind actor sit at the wheel, set the car to neutral gear, pushed the car from behind and showed the blind actor how to brake when required. He performed like clock work and we had a shot. The blind can drive if they have to.

What's next? They are going to edit their films next week. Then compose the music for their films and present them at their 10th Anniversary Celebrations.