I saw my first video camera in 1985 when I was a freshman (9th grade) at Jakarta International School. I was browsing some books in the library when I saw the librarian take a video camera out of a cabinet. The camera weighed around 1.5 kg, had a black-and-white viewfinder, and was connected to a portable video recorder weighing about 3 kg. I asked the librarian if the camera belonged to the school, and if so, could I borrow it to cover an upcoming school concert. To my delight, he agreed but warned me not to damage it, as he would be held accountable.
The next day, during my free period, I went to the library to collect the camera and was surprised to discover that it came with various heavy add-ons. The camera had to be attached to a portable video recorder, which weighed about 3 kg and was carried using a shoulder strap. Additionally, this setup needed to be linked to a battery pack weighing around 2 kg, also carried with a shoulder strap. So there I was, holding the camera in my hand and lugging around 5 kg of extra equipment, not to mention a tripod. I was so focused on filming the concert in the school auditorium that I completely ignored the strange looks and wisecracks from other students as I struggled through the hallways with all the gear.
I set up the tripod, camera, video recorder, and battery pack in a corner of the auditorium and began my first video production, which would change the course of my remaining years at JIS.
After the concert, I returned all the equipment to the library and was eager to see the results of my work. The librarian ejected the cassette from the portable VCR and inserted it into a larger VCR connected to a TV. When he played the tape, I was ecstatic—even though it was in black and white. I had successfully covered a school event on my own, making history in my own way.
In the following weeks, I repeated this process, covering more concerts, sports days, and other events until my school counselor noticed my passion for this field. He called me into his office for a meeting and asked if I would be interested in setting up a video club for the school. I agreed immediately, and to my surprise, he said that the school recognized the camera equipment was outdated and would arrange for a brand-new, preferably color, video camera.
The “Campus Video Association” (CVA) was formed, and word spread to all students about joining. The first member was Vit Steiger, who was a sophomore at the time, followed by Jarno, Thor, and Pieter.
With our team of enthusiastic videographers, CVA began covering not only school events but all aspects of school life, from locker areas to hallways and cafeterias. I also came up with the idea of covering Jakarta itself and got permission to take the camera outside of school. I drove around the city with my dad, capturing life in Jakarta.
Over the course of two years, CVA managed to collect a vast amount of footage from both school life and Jakarta. An upcoming school fair prompted CVA to compile a single video production that featured both the school and the city. We screened this video at the school fair, and to our amazement, teachers, students, and even parents began approaching us to buy a copy. We had never expected such interest, but we quickly prepared a receipt system and started taking deposits for copies of the video. The demand was so high that we had to make multiple trips to deposit the collected funds with the school finance office throughout the day.
By the end of the fair, we had received orders for over 120 copies of the video. With so many copies to make, I quickly visited a video shop in the city to inquire about the charges. We had the copies made and contacted each student and teacher who had placed an order, delivering the cassettes to them.
That early venture into video production was more than just an extracurricular activity; it was a pivotal moment that encouraged collaboration, storytelling, and entrepreneurship among us students. As I look back, I realize how those formative years at Jakarta International School not only sparked my interest in film and media but also instilled in me a lifelong love for capturing moments and sharing stories.
Today, as technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, I am reminded that the essence of storytelling remains unchanged. Whether through the lens of a vintage video camera or a state-of-the-art smartphone, it is our unique perspectives and experiences that breathe life into the narratives we create.
Thank you Bob Conor, Vit Steiger, Jarno, Pieter and Thor for being a part of this journey.