“Youth involvement in Media important for development and sustainability”
THIS YEAR’S International Youth Day theme is “The Future We Want” celebrated along with the International one – The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production.
Women in Media and Communication Association Solomon Islands (WIMSI) interviewed one of its founding members also the WINSI’s treasurer and a youth as part of this year’s youth day celebrations.
She was asked about her involvement in the media as freelance journalist experience as how she travelled to gaining her filming, writing media releases and stories experiences, why she thinks media is an important role in this year’s youth theme.
Meet Regina “Reggie” Lepping.
She is 26 years old and it’s her hobby and passion to write and make films.
Her passion for filming began from an early age.
She fell in love with movies when she was a very little girl up until now.
At the age of 10, Regina and her twin sister, Georgianna, can walk through the movie shop knowing all the movie stars, directors and score composers of all kinds of film.
“In our school days we were called ‘’Movie heads” coz we’d know everything about a movie or at least something about a movie… I still like being called a movie head! Georgianna is more into acting and am into directing.”
Regina’s Filmmaking background:
During her school breaks, she would take up short film courses, those were the best school breaks ever because she is learning what she wants to do and learning is fun that way.
When she reached the age of 16 she got interested in the art of script writing.
She bought heaps of second-hand books on filming and script writing as part of teaching herself.
At the age 21, she was fortunate to be selected among young aspiring local filmmakers group called “Wantok Stori”; we produced a film “Wea nao mi” based on an idea she pitched and her script.
The short film was premiered at the Festival of Pacific Arts here in Honiara in 2012, where she was also the co-star in the film.
Regina’s big first taste of directing was in 2014, when her short film script “Broken Wind Chime” was published in a book of collective creative writings from Solomon Islands on Peace and Conflict entitled, “Talemaot”.
Later that year, she signed a contract with Sukwadi Media and together they made the film Broken Wind Chime starring pure talented teenagers discovered by audition Swan Saeni and Hevana Vikea.
Broken Wind Chime was premiered at Sukwadi Media Showcase Night in December 2014.
In 2015, Regina worked again with Melbourne based part-Solomon Islander Amie Batalibasi on a short film called “Blackbird” in which she co-starred in as Rosa.
The role was given to her sister Georgianna but she and another young actor from Solomon Islands had visa problems at the last minute and time was short so Regina did the audition and filled in her part.
“I actually owe her a lot. She is a natural actor, her acting tips really helped me in nailing the role when I was in Australia for the short film. Acting in blackbird was a really big challenge; it was a challenging and emotional role. I just enjoy every single moment on set, in my free time on set I like hanging around with the camera crew just learning every single thing I can from them and assisting them. I stay connect with them so I’m still learning from them and hope to work with them again in the future.”
To lead is to serve
Her late dad taught her that serving people is important. He served all his life as a politician and Paramount Chief in Shortlands till he passed away in 2014.
She learn a lot from him and chose to serve also, by being the voice for the youths, not just to address issues that are affecting our country but especially, letting people know that Solomon Islands is a beautiful country with beautiful people.
Now Regina is a volunteer writer for Youth Of Solomon Islands (YOSI) Magazine.
Regina was a co-founder of the magazine, she have seen that publishing work does not sustain much here in Solomon Islands and she does not want that to happen to YOSI.
YOSI is made to empower youths and encourage them to keep on going and contribute to the development of our country.
In every issue, she still goes out and finds contents.
“It’s all volunteer and it’s hard work but what keeps me going is people saying ‘thank you for writing my story’, or ‘that’s a great story, keep it up’ and I like that.”
Working a freelance
Right now, on her free time when she’s not doing any big freelance work, she is working on little film projects; she is currently working on one for free West Papua.
Last year, she made a film group on Facebook called “Honiara Aspiring Film makers” to get young filmmakers together and inspire and learn from each other and hopefully get a venue to screen our works.
She said she finds interesting tips on the internet on making your own film and sharing it on the page.
“I encourage young local filmmakers, theatre and script writers in the country to feel free to join. These are good initiatives for young people to produce educational materials that are addressing or achieving the over-arching international goals.
“As a young woman I want to say to other young female filmmakers/ media workers, working in film or media, is tough because it is a male dominated occupation, and we don’t have much support here for local filmmakers but if you have a passion for it, you have a story to tell and ideas, go on pitch them!
“Pick up a camera and just shoot. You have to make a lot of sacrifices to be recognized in these job but it’s worth the hardwork. Sometimes I feel like giving up because I feel like I am alone, a little person with big dreams and I’m worried what think of me, but I am lucky to be surrounded by positive people who believe and in me and encourage me in my interest. These people lift me up and I love them.”
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