Lara Ariffin of Novista
Lara AriffinTo date, 14 years in this profession and having made hundreds of factual television presentations for both local and satellite television networks, Lara mentions two documentaries shown over the National Geographic channel - Among the Great Apes and The Smart Tunnel.
Brought up by parents who played a pivotal role in sharing history and culture with their children, Lara recalls the many life learning experiences and travels her parents exposed her to.
"I firmly believe your education in school is one thing but your learning outside the classroom and that of which your parents can share with you, is equally important," says the mother who together with her husband travel with their daughters and acquaint them with museums, art galleries and Mother Nature.
"My father was a lawyer, a banker, a film producer and then a newspaper man. Interest is key. And an inquisitive mind is good. One can only learn so much in school as the additional is vast," Lara, who's the daughter of Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin, relates.
With her transition from architecture to documentary filmmaking and directing, plus a naturally inquisitive mind attached to a personality of one young at heart, Lara Ariffin is one who lives and breathes with purpose. Her work is no job but a calling. She was raised with principles and values and passes these down to her two daughters, encouraging them to treat the world and the people in it with heart.
"But still, unlike my father, I prefer making nature-related documentaries as there is so much right here in our own backyards. I also don't believe in making documentaries that show no hope. Instead, I prefer ones that give people solutions as to what can be done to improve pressing situations. I believe people need to be encouraged. What's the point in portraying the whole pessimistic process of doom and gloom?" questions Lara.
While Lara Croft is the protagonist in the fictional adventure film Tomb Raider, Malaysia's Lara Ariffin plays the lead role in making real documentaries that matter - that educate, question the mind and instigate cause for positive change. Though she may be behind the scenes, her documentaries are in the spotlight, and ones on matters that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Malaysia's Lara Ariffin plays the lead role in making real documentaries that matter - that educate, question the mind and instigate cause for positive change.
And it is on this note that Lara has kindly agreed to be the MENTOR for the TOTALLY ACTIVE category in this year's Anugerah Hijau 2012. Lara will guide and provide tips to video making to the selected 10 finalists for this year's competition.
The video making workshop, for the finalists, is scheduled to take place in the first week of July 2012, in which participants will learn the basics of video making, scripting/storyboarding and also producing. In addition, participants will get 2 one-on-one (1 hour) sessions with Lara prior to submitting their end product to the Anugerah Hijau Secretariat.
The Anugerah Hijau workshop is fully funded by EcoKnights® and participants will receive a certificate of their participation in the workshop.
The completed videos from the participants of Anugerah Hijau 2011 will be uploaded on YouTube.com and linked to the Anugerah Hijau portal where the general public can view and vote for their favorite videos.
(Excerpt taken from the Malaysian Tatler, May 2010)
