Christopher Laird/ Gayelle's Stock Footage

Christoper Laird was quite helpful in providing the group with stock footage on the Rada Shrine and arial as well as interior footage of the Stollmeyer but only under the terms and condition of using it for a school based assessment and not airing it at any public forums. While it is a school based project; part of the assignment requirement is to post the finished documentary on FB. How are we going to resolve this problem? Well we might have to reason with Mr Laird and see what he has to say about that, if not, we are willing to pay the cost of the stock footage, if it comes down to that.


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Dr Michael Anthony/ B-Roll Footage & Stock Footage

Dr Michael Anthony had an unforseen occurrence and as a result he was not able to facilitate the interview. We, Lorraine and I decided to make use of the day and take footage of the Stollmeyer Castle. We even made an attempt to go inside the compound, but the guards said that we need to ask the foremen permission to do so, as the building is undergoing restoration.

Exterior footage of the   Boissière Mansion was taken and then, we did a furtive act of going to the wall of the Peschier grave to capture footage of the tomb stones. The gate was locked but we stuck the camera between the cracks, zoomed into the writing of the tombstones and recorded some of the names engraved on the tombstones. Unfortunately, from the vista view, there was no evidence of the actual name Peschier carved on any stone. I am aware that this an ethical and legal issue but as media students we are determined to get the required information.

What is our plan of action then? I am thinking of using the footage and when posting it on FB, give credit to the Peschier family and to mention that this documentary is a school based assignment and anyone stealing this footage will face legal actions. We are hoping not to face legal action ourselves. In the meantime, I will try to get permission to take footage of the Peschier graveyard. Yes, I know it is buying the carriage before the horse, but time is quickly passing by.


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Papa Nanee's Great Grandson & Victor Peschier

It was a difficult search, but thanks to Khafra Kambon; I was able to make contact with Henry Antoine; the great grandson of Rada Community founder; Abojevi Zahwenu. He has agreed to do an interview on Sunday 30th  March, 2014.


Next Sunday, I would be visiting Victor Peschier to find out how he is related to Henri Peschier. He has been experiencing heart issues, so I am praying that he stays alive far beyond next week Sunday.



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Dr Michael Anthony Interview

The interview with Michael Anthony has been set for this Sunday 16th March, 2014. This feels like progress # smiley face#

Interview questions have been set. As a matter of fact; Besson and Anthony will be asked the same questions to maintain consistency and to get contrasting or comparative  views of both historians.


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Historian Gerard Besson

Yesterday was a true test of my determination and ability to rise to the occasion. I called Gerard Besson to confirm a date and time to be interviewed and his capricious response was " today!" I was wide eyed in disbelief but my response to him was 'yes!' There was no way I was passing up on this opportunity since his contribution to this documentary adds credibility and validity to this documentary.

He decided to accommodate me by providing camera equipment due to the impromptu nature of the interview; so I spent four hours at work preparing interview questions . When I arrived at his office in Cascade, I set up the camera and started the interview. One of the problems I faced was that Mr. Besson was giving to me one word answers which showed that he was uncomfortable. So I had to stop the interview and tell him what the interview was all about again and how much I need his valuable contribution to a topic. it was only then that he became quite verbose.

In the middle of the interview, I discovered that Besson is a descendant of John Boissière through this great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother Zuzule, a slave and John Boissièr's lover, who bore to him four children. He frequented the Boissière House, as they were his relatives; which made him an authority on the internal and external design of the house and the Boissière ancestry. This discovery saved me the hassle of begging the present owner of the mansion, Greta Elliot, the grand daughter of Alice; the original owner of the Boissière Mansion for an interview. Note: Alice was married to Charles Boissière and Charles built the Boissière mansion to his wife as a wedding gift. 

Nevertheless the overall interview was informative; Besson said that the sword of Henry Peschier can be seen in the National Museum on Frederick Street. Besson will know this because he was a director of the National Museum.  With that knowledge, I 

called the National Museum today to seek permission to 

video tape the sword among other useful effigy or vestige. Although, they seem clueless about the sword #SMH#. The incompetence of my people. 

Also, I contacted Dr Michael Anthony, another historian to get a balance or different perspective on the Pecheirs, Stollmeyers, Boissièrs and the Rada Community. He advised me to call him back in 30 minutes; it is about that time.

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Conflicting Views of Freetown

I just had a telephone conversation with historian, Gerard Besson, who made it equivocal that Freetown is not Belmont. He explained that it is a colloquial  term used by the freed Africans to loosely describe the  location in which they settled after the 1840's. Besson said Freetown is from the stretch of lower Piccadilly street to Queen and Prince Streets.

Meanwhile, Khafra was not opposed to Belmont being called Freetown; in addition to Belmont he also referred Freetown being within the vicinity of Besson St. Now this conflict of information indicates how Trinidad's history is poorly recorded and a documentary like this is needed to educate our society.

Sadly, the musical group Freetown Collective was so named because of the so called Freetown history  affiliated with their hometown Belmont. I wonder how would those members feel knowing otherwise. Or perhaps I should include them in the interview; food for thought.

Besson has asked for me to call him on Monday to set up a date for the interview.

The plan is to get Michael Anthony to do an interview. Also a Pschier family member will be interviewed this Sunday. Pauline Phillip of Citizens for Conservation has asked for a list of the interview questions so she can be better prepared. I promised that it would be ready by the weekend.

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Khafra Interview

Mr Kambon was rather accommodating, the interview was informative but  more importantly, the video quality, sound and lighting was of industrial standards. Mr. Kambon has offered to get into contact with one of the members of the Antoine ( Rada) family. I am trying to make contact to Rawle Gibbons, a UWI lecturer and resident of Belmont. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment because of the all the bureaucracy involved.


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