July  2004

News from Kuangchi Program Service, Taipei

Taipei's Kuangchi Program Service (KPS), in cooperation with Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), conducted a 2-week video production training course for 25 participants from 15 Latin American countries.  The KPS team hosted the participants and accompanied them on study visits to some of Taiwan's successful aquaculture, agriculture, and livestock development projects.  At these sites, the participants videotaped interviews, facilities, and operations, and finally produced a number of complete video programs documenting their findings.  The ICDF plans to invite KPS to conduct similar courses in the next two years.

KPS's TV series for foreign (so-called mail-order brides from other Asian countries is currently being aired on China Television Service (CTS) every Saturday and Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m.  The program teaches practical Mandarin phrases, introduces Taiwanese culture, offers solutions to common problems, and suggests avenues of assistance for foreign women married to Taiwanese men in these circumstances.  The series will be re-run on other channels.  The Ministry of Education has contracted KPS to produce a second series on this same subject.

KPS has installed most of its new digital production equipment causing a remarkable increase in business.  All of KPS's studios are now fully booked for the coming months.

New from Puskat Audio-visual Studio, Yogyakarta

In July, Puskat AV Studio conducted a 3-week TV and video production training course for participants working in broadcasting, NGO, and private and church organizations throughout Indonesia, including four participants sent by Fr. Ruedi Hofmann from East Timor.  Frs. Pierre Babin, OMI from CREC/AVEX in France and Jerry Martinson, SJ from Kuangchi Program Service in Taiwan were guest facilitators.  True to its tradition, Puskat stressed the importance of producing programs that effectively promote inter-religious understanding, cooperation and harmony.  With its excellent staff and facilities, its many years of experience and its beautiful natural environment, Puskat is ideal for conducting both national and international seminars, workshops and training courses in communications and media production.