Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

The Forward Ever Foundation (FEF) has begun a series of workshops, in collaboration with Pan Trinbago, to train members of the national youth steelbands in improvisation and the art of film production.

Co-founders of the FEF,  Cheryl Din Chong and Christopher Din Chong, said the Foundation seeks to create a platform for the dissemination of positive influences and support through innovative expertise, tools, facilitators, mentors, practical experience, “at risk” youth projects, and grants. Opportunities are made available to those who would otherwise not have access to support in film, music, app development, fashion and literary works. “Our long term goal is to develop a Regional Skills Bank and provide the foundation for young entrepreneurs and artistes to move forward with their respective projects by rendering the necessary support/financial/technical services. We are pleased to begin Phase One through these workshops, and at the beginning of every workshop we told the participants “Life is about seeking out new challenges and constant forward momentum.” They displayed exceptional talent and rose to the occasion with frivolity and enthusiasm.”

The workshop facilitators are Christopher Din Chong, Red Frederick and Brandon Joseph. Dinchong is a seasoned director, screenwriter and producer with dozens of commercial, documentary and feature length productions under his belt. He recently produced, wrote and directed the aupernatural thriller 3 Line and the crime thriller Sanskara. Frederick’s notable film credits include Girlfriends’ Getaway, Flying the Coup, Pan! Our Modern Odyssey, Unfinished Sentences, and Home Invasion. Presently, he is pursuing his MA at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. Joseph is a fifth degree black belt and has been practicing various artforms within the fight spectrum for over 20 years having started at the tender age of seven. He has been teaching and managing his own academy for 10 years and has guided many students into similar accomplishments. Currently Brandon has taken an interest in the film industry and had the opportunity to gain experience as an official fight choreographer on Sanskara.

The Foundation’s co-founders said “FEF is embarking on a talent search for young people who are interested in movies to be a part of our next movie project, which will feature pan. This will not be a documentary but rather the incorporation of pan into a narrative live action movie. This movie will be one of many that will set the record straight that pan originated in T&T.”

Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the film training by the Foundation for the national youth steel bands ties into her intent to transform all panyards into centres of excellence “by leading to exposure to another avenue for educational development and advancement. It also provides alternative careers in the creative industry for young pannists.”

Din Chong is also the producer for the movie Queen of Soca, which recently premiered at the T&T Film Festival 2019: Carifesta Edition. Written and directed by Kevin Adams, the film follows the story of Olivia, a girl down on her luck who uses soca as a means of lifting the family out of squalor, in defiance of her mother. It is a sequel to Adams’ 2012 short film No Soca, No Life. Queen of Soca also features the steelband Methanol Holdings Trinidad Limited  (MHTL) Starlift. Ramsey-Moore said Din Chong’s vision to include pan in the movie was a good one as “pan is our national instrument and the entertainment industry is a billion dollar one. Utilizing steelpans in this new area will provide an avenue to showcase the statement “pan can play any genre of music,” as well as tell the story of this amazing instrument of the 20th century and its legacy. Exporting pan internationally through film will have positive impacts not only for the steelpan but also pan tourism, which could bring tremendous revenues and provide the needed prosperity in pan.”