Pamela Jo Bowman

PAMELA BOWMAN ZAMBIA AFRICA-Hello! This is “Stoneface.” Yes, the crew has nicknamed me! What is up with that? I can’t imagine why? I was the one who couldn’t sit still and was smiling ear to ear as we approached Heathrow. I was in Europe for like 4 hours! I was so close to Italy and Spain and Greece! That was painful! Then when we were actually landing in South Africa everyone was telling me to look out the window. There was a problem because on a 747 middle aisle you can’t see out any window! But they told me how beautiful the sunrise was. Wasn’t that nice of them? OK I was a little sleep deprived. I found out that I can’t sleep sitting up! The first night I sat between Cyndi and Alec. I was an oreo between two people who love to TALK! The second night I was between two people who thought the chair arm rests were only for them. I was squished! MEN! So finally we arrived in Zambia. We walked off the plane and it was so COLD! I had the privilege of being the only crew member to have lost luggage. Still lost after three days. But being stonefaced – nothing fazes me.

I loved meeting the cast. I loved listening to them talk. Their speech is musical. I am beginning to actually understand them. It is also uplifting to feel the excitement they have over the project. So on Monday we start filming. Is that possible? Yes it is! I can’t wait to see the dailies. There is not a word to describe this experience. So I won’t even try.

So from Stoneface to those who care – I won’t say good-bye. I will say see you later.

BY PAMELA BOWMAN MESA, AZ USA – A friend told me the other day that after all of his world travels it was Africa that was the most difficult place to visit. He said it was emotionally exhausting. Another lady I heard about came back and after a week found herself on the side of the highway crying. The impact of Africa had caught up with her. An acquaintance told me that his daughter chose nursing after participating in an African humanitarian opportunity. He told me the experience changed her life. I believe this experience will change all of our lives because I believe it will change our hearts.

We will be boarding the plane in 48 hours. I better start packing! Before Cyndi left for the Sundance Producers Conference she counseled us to pack early. OOOPS! Not the most obedient am I.

Just to justify my behavior… I have been busy! My son Ben flew in from Chile on Thursday. I had to teach him how to make enchiladas! I spent time listening to his adventures. I am a good listener. I looked right into his green eyes and down to his soul. I also spent time with Isaac and Audrey. Newlyweds are fun to be around. They argue so lovingly! Too cute. Then I spent time with my girls. We went to a movie, we went swimming, we talked. Did I mention shopping? I woke them up in the morning with a back scratch. I want them to miss me! Do you think they will miss me? Then Chris and I spent time with each other. I am pretty sure he is going to miss me, but you never know with those strong silent types.

I also spent time on myself. I have been waking up with the sunrise. I go in my backyard and lay in my hammock and enjoy the peace and promise of the dawn. And I think. I think of this life I live in the United States. It is so full of potential. It is so full of everything. I realize that next week I will be waking up in Zambia. I imagine that life in Zambia is not so full of everything. I will find out soon.

I told my friends and family that I expect to be different when I return. I expect this experience to change me, to change my heart. I expect that the things that I might find important and vital now may seem trivial and inconsequential. Jabbes told me that in Africa people take time to celebrate life with each other. He says there is a lot of socializing. There is a lot of dancing. There is a lot of laughter. They take time.

I believe this experience will change my life. I think it will change my heart. I think it already has.

PAMELA BOWMAN MESA, ARIZONA USA – We are as ready as we are going to get. The script is done, the storyboards are done, the day of days is done. The equipment is packed. The supplies are ordered. The shots are injected. The tickets are in hand. The actors are preparing for their parts. The sets are ready. Everyone’s roles and responsibilities have been outlined and explained. When we land in Zambia we will be ready to start shooting BAD T!MING and we will be continuing with VOICE OF AN AFRICAN NATION.

So maybe the question is not are we ready, but is Zambia ready for us? Our small and determined crew will be landing next Thursday morning. We know they know we are coming. They have been generous with their support and encouragement. Jabbes and Cyndi are in daily contact with friends, business associates, press people, educators and family. I would imagine they are just as curious about us and our culture as we are about them and theirs.

We have not had the luxury of sending over crew members to scout out sights, sets, actors and costumes. Jabbes has delegated many things to those he trusts in Zambia to manage many details. When we arrive we are confident that those he trusted will be ready for us and our goal of shooting these films. We know that the Zambian crew understands and appreciates that we only have 4 weeks to shoot these films before returning back to the USA. We do not have the luxury of waiting for sets to get done or for actors to learn their lines. Everything must be ready. Jabbes assures us it will be. He trusts his friends explicitly. This gives us confidence because we know and trust Jabbes. He has been a man of his word.

Cyndi is not only preoccupied with shooting these films. She has other things on all of our plates. She is a teacher after all. So every waking, and no doubt, sleeping moment is spent either teaching or figuring out how to teach a concept, program, ideal or specific student. Those in education from Zambia have contacted her and arrangements are being made to teach those interested in pursuing a career in the film industry. This is scheduled to occur within the first 24 hours of our arrival. As a teacher, she knows she is also always learning. She has contacted educators who will assist her in documenting Zambian story tellers and artists. She is as excited about this aspect of the project as she is the feature film and the documentary.

As you can tell this project is multi-dimensional. That is because Cyndi is the queen of multi- tasking and has taught us to be the same. We are all learning and doing so much. We have to. She has done all she can to help us take advantage of this once in a life time opportunity. So maybe the question should be is Zambia ready for Cyndi Greening and her FilmZambia Crew! Zambia, brace yourself, a cyclone is landing on Thursday morning. So be prepared, anything can happen and usually does.