The Story of a Scavenger Boy
Abstract:
Since it’s creation in 1946, Pakistan has been severely handicapped by corrupt governance, military dictatorships and regional tension. A country in which an estimated 44% of the population still lives bellows the poverty line. In a country where the literacy rate is just hitting 50% (where you are considered literate If you can read and write your name) I was fortunate to have studied in the most prestigious high school in my country. Having lived in the United States for the past few years, I have come to realize the importance identity, which makes our lives worth living.
The Story of a Scavenger Boy is not just a journey of a young boy in search for his true identity. It is the story of my life, a story of all our lives. A story about the struggle every person must go through in order to find his place in this world. This is your story and you tell it.
Project Introduction:
More than 100,000 child scavengers or rag-pickers can be found across Pakistan, according to the International Labour Organisation. They are exposed to scabies, malaria, dysentery, anaemia and muscular problems, as well as to chronic diseases like Tuberculosis, jaundice and liver/kidney disorders. Exposure to cast-off syringes puts them at risk of contracting infections like HIV/AIDS.
Omar is from the gypsy community of Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city. At just ten, Omar has four years experience of "professional" scavenging for 10-12 hours a day. His work returns little so he eats what he finds. He spends three or four nights on the street in various locations and returns 'home' when he can.
Omar doesn't go to school and seldom spends time playing with friends. Tired or sick, Omar works. Time is a precious commodity that he uses to scavenge scrap metal and other goods for his employer. Although he has no fixed salary, Omar says that he has contributed to marginally improved conditions at home. He recounts experiences of physical and verbal abuse by his employer, but scavenging has been his life- he has known no different.
Source: Pakistan: Poverty unveiled (http://meero.worldvision.org/sf_pakistan.php)
Remixing Fact & Fiction:
The Story of a Scavenger Boy is an interactive project and an initiative to raise awareness about a community/world hidden behind a veil of claimed development. As the world waits to see who takes office in Pakistan’s recent elections, a young boy cries hoping for his cries to be heard. But no one’s there. Some stops by and go’s, leaving behind pieces of roti, empty wrappers, and broken chappals.
The young boy searches through this pile of litter left behind, as he see’s the train go by. Hoping to find an item of value he walks along the train tracks scanning either side of the tracks. Finally his face lights up as he spots a small piece of an electronic item half buried in the ground. A broken pair of headphones. The young boys picks it up, safely stores it in his pocket and walks away towards the cabaria hoping to sell the item for a few rupees. After a long days work he goes home, proud of his days work, looking forward to spending time with his family.
Description:
Narrative Driven / Factual:
The project follows a non-Linear database narrative structure driven by a central character (young scavenger boy) and a fictional story, as it’s main stem. Factual information and authoritative personnel interviews, views will be linked/embedded with this fictional narrative to provide an analytical and critical element to the project.
Project Goals and Initiatives:
Objectives: The goal of this project is to immerse the user in an environment where he/she feels engaged and empowered and in doing so, allows the user to reflect upon their own life while interacting with the narrative and characters presented. Secondly the project aims to raise awareness about the lives of underprivileged children in Pakistan and the external factors at play that cannot be disregarded when attempting to understand issues related to 3rd world countries in general.
This project is part of a larger initiative to improve the lives of underprivileged children all over Pakistan. I plan to get affiliated with organization working on the grassroots level in Pakistan like The Citizens Foundation (TCF).
Delivery Format:
The project will be part of a dedicated website. It will be available in both low and high resolution. Also project will be released on DVD format and possibly High Definition.
Presentation and Distribution Plans:
The project will be officially released on a dedicated website. Along with this project, the website will host information about the project and other features including the following:
Website:
• Contain the information about the project, and author statement.
• Photo gallery/Behind the Scenes
• Contact Information: How to get involved
• Discussion Forum
• About the Characters: Characters based on real children
I also plan to realize my project on DVD and distribute it widely across the United States and Pakistan. In the future I hope to publicly exhibit the project in DIY conventions.
Production Resources:
Sony PD 170 DVCAM or
Sony VR-Z1U HDCAM
Lavalier Microphones for interviews
Final Cut Pro editing system
Korsakow or other database narrative system
Dreamweaver for website development
Budget:
Pre-Production: A minimal amount of finances will be required during pre-production stage of the project.
Production: The production costs of this project will broadly include camera, lighting, travel, cast and crew, food and catering. The total estimate cost will range between $100 – $500. Production will take place entirely in Pakistan therefore all costs incurred will be in local currency.
Post Production and Distribution: Post-production costs will be minimal. The distribution and development, hosting and domain of website will be a significant. Depending on the size of the project distribution, promotion and the website will cost between $200 - $500.
Advisors:
The following is a list of possible advisors. All the following advisors are aware of the project and have shown interest in the project. I will personally meet with each advisor and make a presentation after which I will officially approach the advisors.
:
• Professor Jon Taplin: Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California. Taplin’s areas of specialization are in international communication management and the field of digital media entertainment.
• Professor Robert Scheer: Professor of Media and Society at the Anneberg School for Communication. Robert Scheer has built a reputation for strong social and political writing over his 30 years as a journalist. He has written extensively about Pakistan.
• Professor Doug Thomas: Douglas Thomas is Associate Professor in the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California. He is founding editor of Games & Culture: A Journal of Interactive Media, a quarterly international journal that aims to publish innovative theoretical and empirical research about games and culture within the context of interactive media.
• David Barsamian: Award winning founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent weekly series based in Boulder, Colorado. He is a radio producer, journalist, author and lecturer. He has been working in radio since 1978.
Timeline:
Spring 2008: Pre Production
Summer 2008: Production (Shooting at location in Karachi, Pakistan)
Fall 2008: Post Production (Editing raw footage, designing interface)
Winter 2008-09: Production (Shooting on location + interviews etc.)
Spring 2009: Post Production (Editing and finalizing footage, website development)
Prior Related Work:
I have worked in the news media in Pakistan. During this time I worked extensively with editing systems (Final Cut Pro). Also I produced a short film (currently in Post Production) about street children in Karachi, Pakistan. I have also worked on Dreamweaver to develop my own website.
Research Bibliography:
World Vision: Pakistan: Poverty unveiled
http://meero.worldvision.org/sf_pakistan.php
World Education Forum: Grassroots stories: Pakistan
http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/en-news/pakistan.shtm
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