A milestone was reached this July. The filming team of the YOUTHShare project, under the direction of Tom Mamakos, completed the documentary titled “NEET” that follows the paths of beneficiaries during and after attending the programme offered by the project. The film shows how participating affected their lives, and in some cases changed their point of view about work and becoming a member of a community.
Mr Mamakos spoke to us about the experience of filming the documentary, which stories from the beneficiaries are special to him, how he and his team managed to work through the difficult and unpredictable circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he would change if he could do it all again:
- ‘NEET’ the documentary film is now ready. Would you like to describe the most important stages of its production?
In this specific production I believe that the most critical stage was to coordinatethe teams in other countries. It took several months before we managed to make the teamsin all the countries work in a certain manner. Of course, making the scenario and the interviews draft was very critical – but finding and organisingthe teams was the key point to this production.
2. We acknowledge that the production process was unconventional. Can you explain to us how you organised the teams involved?
Organisingthe teams was a very difficult task. I still haven’t really grasped how we made it. First of all, with the excellent cooperationand total support of Mr Ioannis Papageorgiou, as well as the support of Professor Stelios Gialis; the Key Account Managers were also a key point. Also, open communication with each other, as we did many zoom meetings and set timetables that we tried to follow.
3. How did you manage to work during COVID-19 lockdowns?
Due to COVID-19 lockdowns in many countries, we could not follow the timetables. Specifically, in Italy and Spain the harshest lockdowns were in effect when we wanted to do the interviews. The filming teams in some cases could not leave their area. So, we tried to be in touch and make new arrangements all the time.
- Assuming that you were re-making the film, what would you change?
I would change the COVID-19 situation, but I don’t think I would be able to. So, I would try tohave more action shots and more intimate moments of the beneficiaries. Make it more direct. This was something that was also not feasible because of COVID-19, but we would probably find a different solution. For example, using mobile phones or something similar. If I could give more thought to it, I think I would change everything.
- Your film reveals unknown aspects of an otherwise known phenomenon, namely the NEET phenomenon. What is your take on the issue? How would you account for it?
NEETs are normal people like we are. All the people that we met and interviewed are trying to get a better life. They are completely aware of their situation and now that we are talking, some of them are not NEETs anymore. I personally believe thateveryone hasthe potential to enterthe labour market in an efficient way. This is a common characteristic of all the interviewees. Inactivity is a human state of mind that can set someone completely out of the labour market.
- The film revolves around personal stories. Which one stands out for you?
I believe that the story of Zaki has made a great impression on me, this is why we chose to make an extended reference to his story. The fact that he came here in a boat risking his life and that he has managed to learn English in ten months showshis courage. He always tries to learn and do something in order to follow his dreams. Apart from all this, he was a very polite and modest young man. Whenever I tried to contact him, he was very willing to cooperatefor the interviews or the shootings in general.
7. You have chosen to follow and interweave the stories of beneficiaries from identification to finding a job. Did you witness a real impact of the YOUTHShare project on the beneficiaries?
The beneficiaries were very happy with their participation in the course. In some cases, they found a real job because of it. With COVID-19 they became more pessimistic, so the course was like a ray of light to them. I think that this is obvious from their interviews. They are not supposed to beautify anything, they are completely sincere when most of them say that the course exceeded their expectations.
