WOULD-be film-makers benefited from the experience of two of Bermuda's more proven talents through a workshop held at the Bermuda College.

Vance Chapman and Errol Williams taught the free course to youngsters interested in learning more about the art of, and technical aspects involved in, film-making.

Initially to be held during the Bermuda International Film Festival in April, time constraints forced the workshop's delay, Mr. Chapman explained. However, he and Mr. Williams believed so strongly in the idea, each agreed it was important to see the commitment through.

"I think that as a country, Bermuda is not being represented as much as it could be or as much as the talents we have here would indicate," said Mr. Chapman.

"Students here are generally pushed toward more practical things. I live in Toronto, which has a huge West Indian population and you see so many of the islands represented (in the film-making field). Trinidad, Jamaica, Haiti, Martinique - they're all represented.

"I think Bermuda is a little backwards in that regard. I'm also a film critic in Toronto and I travel to a lot of different countries watching films from around the world. Bermuda isn't represented. Those who are interested should at least have the opportunity to learn (about film-making)."

Recognised as one of the top young screenwriters in Canada, Mr. Chapman has been based out of Toronto for the past seven years. Having received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia's Hampton University, the Bermudian moved to England where he studied film-making at the famed London International Film School.

After a brief period in Bermuda as a substitute teacher, he enrolled at Howard University in Washington, DC, from where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts in Film and succeeded in winning a prestigious film-makers' award for his short, In America.

In 1983, he moved to Toronto, where he was born, to take advantage of its growing film industry. It was there he succeeded in attaching himself to several short and feature films, commercials and movie videos. Eventually his talent, his achievements and his credentials led others to recognise him as a top screenwriter.

Mr. Williams, a former teacher at CedarBridge Academy, is known for his documentary work, having begun as a film-maker as a result of his participation in a writers' group in Bermuda. The experience led him to join the New Brunswick film-makers' co-operative in 1987.

In addition to this year's BIFF award, for his documentary covering the 1959 theatre boycott, When Voices Rise, he received major recognition at the Toronto Film Festival - one of the world's most prestigious festivals - for Echoes in the Rink: The Willie O'Ree Story, a 1998 documentary based on the life of the first black man to play in the National Hockey League. His drama, Driftwood, has shown at film festivals around the world.

Held in conjunction with the Bermuda Arts Council and the Department of Education, this month's workshop offered an opportunity to critically examine a selection of films for their functions as stories and their use of film styles. It also looked at how such films illustrated and helped shape a country's identity.

"We wanted to give students the opportunity to have hands on experience analysing documentaries and producing a two or three minute documentary," added Mr. Chapman. "We're hoping to conduct a similar workshop next year during BIFF and we're looking at implementing a more permanent one in high schools and at the Bermuda College.

"We now have the technology. People don't need a huge infrastructure in order to create a documentary. Now, they can basically create a film on their desktop. They can shoot with a digital camera. No matter where they are, if they have a phone line, a lap-top or a desktop, they can be a film-maker.

"A documentary can be done at a desktop and, in light of Errol's success with When Voices Rise especially, it shows we can have a quality project come out of Bermuda. You look at (film producer and writer, Bermudian) Alison Swan and all she's accomplished. It bodes well for the rest of Bermuda.

"Errol just got back with his documentary from the Commonwealth Film Festival in England and I think there are so many more stories that can be done in Bermuda from a documentary perspective."

Mr. Chapman is currently in Toronto working as the producer and head writer of Lord Have Mercy, a television sitcom, to be aired throughout Canada beginning next January.