Lights, Camera, Confidence: Inside Our Video Production Course with SIDA
We believe creativity has the power to build confidence, develop practical skills and create new opportunities for young people.
This summer, we were proud to partner with SIDA (Somali Integration and Development Association) to deliver an Introduction to Video Production course, giving young people the opportunity to step behind the camera and experience the world of videography.
Across the programme, participants learned how to plan, film and edit their own content using professional equipment. More importantly, they discovered new ways to express themselves, work together and explore possible careers within the creative industries.
The course was co-led by Naz Hoque and George Jesus, who combined practical industry experience with mentoring throughout the programme. Alongside teaching technical skills, George shared his own journey into the creative industries, giving participants an honest insight into the realities of working professionally in film and media while inspiring them to pursue their own ambitions.
Why SIDA invested in this programme
For SIDA, the course wasn't simply about teaching video production. It was about providing young people with meaningful opportunities to learn valuable digital skills in a safe, supportive and culturally appropriate environment.
Guuleed, Programme Coordinator at SIDA, said:
"Video production is a valuable skill in today's world. We wanted young people to learn something relevant in a safe, supportive environment without any cost to them or their families."
As youth provision continues to decline across many communities, programmes like this help bridge the gap by providing creative opportunities that many young people may never otherwise experience.
"We live in the age of content. Skills like videography and content creation could become something young people build careers from."
Learning by doing
Rather than learning through presentations, participants were encouraged to experiment, make mistakes and learn through practical experience.
Throughout the programme they explored:
Professional camera operation
Three-point lighting techniques
Podcast filming and audio recording
Drone flying
Camera movement and composition
Storytelling through film
Adobe Premiere Pro editing
Teamwork and production planning
For many, every piece of equipment was completely new.
One of the biggest changes wasn't simply learning how to use equipment, it was changing how participants viewed film and media.
Hasna
Hasna joined the course already fascinated by filmmaking, particularly behind-the-scenes documentaries. She quickly found herself enjoying directing scenes and understanding how lighting, camera placement and movement completely change the mood of a shot.
"It was interesting seeing how, without touching anyone, you could direct people just through your words and completely change the image."
Learning Adobe Premiere Pro also changed the way she watches films.
"Now when I watch films and videos, I understand how much work goes into every shot."
Inspired by the programme, Hasna now hopes to turn one of her own written stories into a short film.
Aline
For Aline, every session introduced something completely new. From flying drones to building camera rigs and learning Adobe Premiere Pro, the course opened up an entirely different world.
One moment stood out. After filming car-mounted camera shots during the programme, he later watched Fast & Furious and immediately recognised how the filmmakers had created similar shots.
"I knew exactly how they did it. I thought... I could do that myself."
That simple moment perfectly captured the impact of the course.
Instead of only watching films, participants were beginning to understand how they were created and imagining themselves doing it professionally one day.
His proudest moment came during one of the practical challenges where participants had to troubleshoot professional camera equipment independently.
Reflections from Naz
Projects like this remind me why I started Through The Lab. Teaching someone how to use a camera is rewarding, but what stays with me are the moments where you see confidence grow.
Watching someone who was unsure in week one confidently direct a scene, explain an idea or proudly present their final edit is what it's really about.
One moment I'll always remember was Arline talking about watching Fast & Furious after one of our sessions and realising he understood exactly how they created one of the camera shots. That shift in perspective is powerful. Suddenly filmmaking isn't something that only happens in Hollywood, it becomes something they can imagine themselves doing.
Hearing Hasna talk about wanting to turn one of her own stories into a short film was another highlight. It showed that this course wasn't just teaching software or camera settings. It gave young people permission to think bigger about their own creativity.
I'm incredibly grateful to SIDA for trusting George and me to deliver this programme. George brought a wealth of industry experience and generously shared his own journey into the creative sector, giving participants an honest insight into the opportunities available and encouraging them to believe that a creative career is possible.
If even one young person leaves believing they can create something they never thought possible, then we've achieved something special.
A huge thank you to SIDA, all of the young participants and everyone who helped make this programme possible.
We're incredibly proud of everything the group achieved and can't wait to see where their creative journeys lead next.
