Review Overall Rating
A review on Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches
Reviewed by Olivia Loccisanostudent on
The best experience of my life
Travelling with Actuality Media has been the most inspiring and best experience I have ever had. I found that the amount that I learned was so much in the comparison to the amount of time that I was there. The production supervisors were excellent to work with and the intimate amount of students provided an efficient student-to-teacher relationship which made the academic learning easy and exciting. Along the hands-on experience of filming, there were classes run by the production supervisor that I found were extremely parallel to the classes from my professors at university. These classes on filmmaking and storytelling helped us when we went out to film. Our progress on our learning was constantly tracked as we had to show the footage we took every day to the production supervisors. She would walk us through the positives and negatives of our footage and show how we could improve the next day. Whenever we needed help with the documentary or encountered problems, the production supervisor was extremely helpful and spent her time with us to assure that we were on the right track, understood and were comfortable with how the film was going. The feedback of the production supervisor was extremely helpful and was open and suggestive and we always decided on our own decisions, as a group, and this created a certain guided independence which was very good for beginning filmmakers under the guidance of the experienced. Working with the other students on the outreach was a great experience; as they were there to learn and work. Ideas were collaborative and our we had a healthy group work ethic.
I had no negative experiences with Actuality Media and definitely recommend this program for those who enjoy learning, studying, filming and travelling.
Review Details
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Academics
The content I learned through the outreach was extremely similar to how and what I was learning in my university classes, except with more intimate classes which allowed everyone to add their opinions and have a good relationship with Aubrie, who was teaching them. As well as the hugely hands-on learning that was involved in the outreach, the academic learning was extremely effective and rewarding.
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Program Administration
Very well organized and an extremely effective program. The intimacy of the small amount of students enhanced this as well as the great personalities of the administrators that worked so well with the students.
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Living Situation
Really nice hostel! Very open and I had never been in a hostel before but I am now planning to make it my means of travel.
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Cultural Immersion
I was constantly immersed in the culture of the country I was travelling in and enjoyed the personal time we had to immerse ourselves in the city and constantly be part of the culture everywhere we went.
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Safety
I felt completely safe even though I had heard lack of safety stories about muggings far from the city. But, I felt secure the entire trip and very safe when travelling with people.
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Food
There were many options for food and while filming on location, the locals brought us to eat true Guatemalan food and.
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Social Life
There were many opportunities we had to meet other travelers since we were staying at a hostel. We met many wonderful people from all over the world and would go out with them when we were not working.
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City Life
Cafe Maya Pool and Beer Social La Parranda
Other Reviews on Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Documentary film making in Guatemala
Reviewed by Sanna on .
A really good course that was practical and hands on. I learnt alot throughout the program, in particular practical skills that are best achieved by doing eg. Camera operation and techniques. I had a great time on this program, made life long friends and produced a worthy film in this short period of time.
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Excellent
Reviewed by Sarah Megyesy on .
Actuality Media made my first time out of the country very comfortable. I loved the program and the experience. Would tell anyone to jump on board with them.
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Would do again.
Reviewed by Willy Loman on .
Good trip, would do again, lots of fun
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Actuality Media Opens the World to You
Reviewed by ERIC on .
Overall, this was an experience that left a strong impression on me. I've learned so much while being in Costa Rica with Actuality Media. From the classes on how to structure a documentary film to the cultural immersion to learning how to work with a multitude of people, this outreach has challenged me to reach farther than I ever have before. I totally think traveling with Actuality Media is worth the trip. You will grow and have fun while doing it!
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Highly Recced
Reviewed by Yu Zhang on .
Actuality Media is run by Aubrie and Robin, an awesome pair who will let you independently explore your ideas like no classroom setting would. Everything you learn is relevant instead of busywork, and they are open to answering any sort of questions you have always been wondering.
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Exceeded expectations!
Reviewed by Guillermo de la Rosa on .
I first went to Guatemala with the idea that I was only going to make a short documentary for my portfolio, no more than that. Boy was I wrong! Actuality Media not only provides an in-depth look and approach to craft of documentary making, but also provides its applicants with a glimpse of a world with powerful stories that deserve to be told. I ended having a good film for my portfolio, a good group of friends and the memory of an experience that made me a better person. What an honor and pleasure to have been part of such trip!
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches A very challenging but incredibly worthwhile experience.
Reviewed by LB16 on .
I learned so much from Actuality Media. There were great lessons and discussions and I can't wait to apply what I have learned. There were many difficult things and things that I had to get used to but those challenges created opportunities to learn. I am most grateful for all the difficulties because of what I have learned through them. The overall cost of the program was reasonable. I loved the trips we went on and that we were able to work with locals. There was a great amount of freedom with a balance of guidance. I love traveling, filmmaking and meeting new people and with this program I was able to accomplish all three.
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Much more than just extended schooling
Reviewed by Ryan Hogue on .
Studying abroad was never a personal option while I was going through the grind of film school. Traveling to Europe, New Zealand or other developed countries was a passion, but things changed when I caught wind of a program that was doing much more than just making short films and traveling. Actuality Media was an up and coming program that I put my effort and trust into. Being a senior in college, frightened by the pressure of the real world, I decided to take myself completely out of my comfort zone and leave for a developing country to make a film that meant something. Actuality Media took me in when I reached Nicaragua, and provided me with the necessary tools and knowledge to make a short documentary that would highlight the Social Entrepreneurship of local hearths within Granada, Nicaragua. Before, during, and after the making of this short, I became a much more diverse, open, and willing person. My plans to travel again are no longer within the developed countries, but within the developing countries that have so much heart and amazing stories to tell that can't be heard otherwise through outside media. I truly support Actuality Media and other abroad programs alike. Get out of your comfort zone and learn!
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Actuality Media - Documentary Outreaches Actuality Media is a fantastic program.
Reviewed by Mariah Ore on .
Actuality Media is extremely good at what they do. The program is unique, dynamic, and highly instructional. Overall, an excellent experience.