Karma Catches Up: Tsering Choden

In 2009, the Obama administration launched programs to give America's unpopular Bush era image a much-needed facelift. Among them was the Democracy Video Challenge (DVC), which asked inspiring moviemakers to complete the phrase "Democracy is..." in a 3-minute video. Entries for the competition poured in globally in the thousands and only six were chosen. V.E.N.T! Magazine had the unique opportunity to watch the winning documentaries premiere in Washington DC's RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) building a day before US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton would honor them with the award. The winners were from Poland, Philippines, Brazil, Zambia, U.A.E and in the middle of them was Tsering Choden, in a red simple but distinctive Oriental-style outfit proudly representing Nepal.

She is known as Choden by her listeners, Tsering by her readers and simply Teri by her friends. Even with her success as one of the first women FM RJs, an integral part of Wave, Nepal's first youth magazine and currently the editor of Y! Magazine, she has managed to keep a low profile. But that was yesterday. They say karma catches up, well so does good ones. Now this soft-spoken lady was on stage representing her country, explaining her video submission to a hall of representatives from YouTube to Paramount Pictures, from USC's world famous film school to National Democratic Institute. V.E.N.T! Magazine got to spend some time with Teri while in DC to talk about her life and recent accomplishments.

So Radio, Print and now the Camera; looks like you have the golden touch but till recently you have managed to hide. But now fame has hit you on the face, how is it?

I have been lucky to indulge in all three but hardly the golden touch. What I can say is that I gave all three a shot and I guess the wheels started turning. I've been lucky mostly to be able to hold jobs in radio and print with no prior experience. As for the camera, I'm still learning but the win has definitely boosted my confidence and motivated me to continue on this path. True, for somebody who is camera shy (which is why radio and print was so ideal) the publicity I received after the win was overwhelming, which in itself is an understatement. I couldn't run or hide from it so I did what I had to, to the best of my ability. One thing is for sure, it wasn't easy, I don't think I'll ever get used to it and I'm glad the radar has shifted.

Who was on your team and what part of the documentary appealed to the viewers and judges the most?

It was a team effort and I wouldn't have been able to make the video on my own. The team comprises of: Yanik Shrestha and Gaurab Subba (Lyrics InThe PenDense), Pravin Chettri, Vikash Pradhan, Srijan Man Nakarmi, Pravat J. Gurung and Bipra Acharya. The overall comment I received was that it was the music that heightened the concept and there was huge praise for the rappers—Yanik and Subba—so truly credit goes to them 'cuz they added an edge and that's what appealed to the wider audience.

Could you describe the video making process and how your team came together?

It took a while to process in my head how I wanted to put this video together. Then it so happened that Yanik and I got talking about it. We shared ideas, concepts and it all became clear—it had to be real and it had to have music. Very soon pieces started falling together. Yanik mentioned that he had a music track sent to him by Pravin (member of Cadenza) who agreed to let us use it. Then he and Subba contributed their thoughts on democracy using that track. I was looking for prominent personalities and it was an honour to have Gagan, Anil and Viplob present their views. To create a time lapse effect required the camera to be turned for stretches meaning long hours just waiting so with the help of Pravat and Bipra we got the required footage. My first time editing on Final Cut Pro it wouldn't have been possible without Vikash's guidance. Finally I knew a video on Democracy wouldn't be complete without the voice of the people and so Srijan went out on the streets and collected the sound bites.

Any exceptionally memorable stories in making of the video?

The entire process of making the video was memorable. I know that sounds cliched but it's the truth. Anyway one funny incident was trying to translate manis le manis ko chusi sakyo blood. It's a line in the music composed by Pravin. One of the conditions for the competition was that the video must have English subtitles so in our quest to get everything right we figured we should translate that line as well. Going with the literal translation would be weird—humans suck on human blood—something like that, very vampire-ish but we had a good laugh over it and finally settled with 'humans thrive on human blood'.

How did you get into film and where did you learn? What is your recommendation for people who are trying to learn film here in Nepal?

I learnt or rather I am learning from all the movies I watch. From the bad movies you know what not to do. The power of storytelling through film inspired me to want to explore this medium. After graduation I even thought of enrolling in a film school but things didn't work out, plus other passions took over and film making took a back seat. The past year, having more time in hand, the interest reignited and along with some friends we started Cine Sessions. We meet when we can make time from our other professions, we write our own screenplays, act, direct, learn the technical aspects, etc. That probably would be my suggestion to those who want to learn film here in Nepal but I'll be honest, it's not easy. Sometimes it's not enough to just have the passion and film making is expensive. Our group had it easy as we had friends like Vikash, who took the initiative to buy equipment—camera, lights, workstations for editing and so on, so that helped bring our dreams closer. With the lack of a 'film school' in Kathmandu, we opted to teach ourselves. To a large extent, it is working. We've made a few, what we call 'practice films', and we've uploaded them on YouTube (search for 'cash0612') so we can get feedback and improve on our art.

What was your motivation for competing? Was your experience what you expected it to be?

The fact that I had nothing to lose, my confidence in the team and myself and the 'let's give it a shot' factor. The experience exceeded my expectations. There was never a dull moment till the very end.

The premise for your short film is people's definition of democracy but what's your take and do you think it works in Nepal?

Honestly speaking, at this point I have no idea what works in Nepal. I am left baffled. But what I would like to add is that democracy or no democracy it's the power struggle that screws it all up. And so I agree with Viplob (who comments on the video that) it's not the system as much as the people running the system that needs to change. If we can get a start on that then democracy, in whatever form, might not be so hard to achieve.

In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle for democracy in Nepal to foster?

The politics.

The new Obama administration has taken up a new strategy to renew and rebuild relations with the world. This award from the US State Department, do you think it has positive effect or does it draw negative shadow?

This is pretty subjective and I can't speak for anyone else. Personally I think it helped to create a positive image. This is a worldwide dialogue and so every individual could voice his or her thoughts through film and that's a good thing, no? Plus, conditions to participate in the competition were flexible, which encourages global participation.

The media in Nepal. You have been in the business for almost a decade now, what would you like to see happen with the Nepali media?

I was on the radio for over a decade but it was mostly music-based. Generally speaking I think there's a lack of innovativeness. We stick to formulas that have worked, emulate others and there's nothing wrong with that I guess but on the flipside it stunts ones own creativity, which is unfortunate because we don't lack talent in Nepal. So I think we need to have more confidence in ourselves and create original ideas.

Tell us a bit about how it was like meeting the other contestants and how this experience changed you.

The first thought that crossed my mind when I read their bios on videochallenge.america.gov was, 'gosh, they are so young!' So immediately I began wondering if I would be able to connect with them. But when I met them my anxieties were all put to rest. Aissa is quiet and collected, Anna is a burst of energy, Chansa is smooth and suave, Lukasz is friendly and full of fun, Rodin is warm and the life of the party. Some day I will make a film where the characters will resemble this group of individuals, most wonderful bunch. I won't say this experience has so much changed me as much as it has strengthened my belief to continue dreaming my dreams.

Even some of your fellow winners have shown interest in staying in the US for college, etc. but not you. What keeps you grounded in Nepal?

For me home is where my heart is and for now my heart is here.

Compared to your last visit to the US, what has changed in the Nepali community/culture in America?

Well, some things are different and others are not. In the little I have noticed is a sense of nostalgia and so the diaspora celebrate Dasain, Losar and other such festivals with equal fervour. I don't know how much of that is because they really want to do it or is it because they want to hold on to some of the memories of the festivities when they were 'back home'. Besides that I think it's human tendency to blend in or try to blend in and in that sense I am pretty impressed how well they have adjusted to the American lifestyle.

What was the most memorable part about the trip?

Naming one would be doing injustice. To name a few...this trip was memorable from day one—arriving in New York, viewing the taping of the Jon Stewart show, visiting the set of Gossip Girls, watching the broadway musical In The Heights, visiting the Tisch School of Arts, tour of the UN, the honour of receiving the award from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, meeting Hernando De Soto, visiting the National Geographic office, the limousine tour of LA, meeting with faculty and staff of the Sundance Film Institute (organisers of the Sundance Film Festival), visiting Illuminations Entertainment Studio, all the screenings that took place in theatres at the Director's Guild of America (NY and LA), Motion Picture Association of America (DC). And every time we were introduced as 'film makers' of an 'award winning' film, I would swell with pride but also be humbled and focused for the road ahead...there's still so much to do.

How was it like to meet Hillary Clinton? Did you guys talk and if so what did you guys talk about.

We shook hands, introduced ourselves, got photographed with her and received our awards. That is pretty much how it happened. Meeting Hillary Clinton was brief...literally but a moment that will be etched in my life. We were actually informed about the award ceremony only on our arrival. It was a surprise and a pleasant one at that.

What kind of people did you meet and how was that like?

We met achievers from all walks of life—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Roland Rich (Executive Head, United Nations Democracy Fund), Judith A. McHale (Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs US State Department), Hernando De Soto (Peruvian Economist), William K. Suter (Clerk of the Supreme Court), Chris Meledandri (Founder of Illuminations Entertainment Studio), Jeremy Kagan (Director) to name a few. It's always surreal meeting with prominent people. What I would like to add here is that meeting the team that put together the Democracy Video Challenge are people that I will probably cherish more. The 12 days was special because they reached out to us on more than just a professional level so a big thank you to Lori, Jonathan and David from the US Department of State for putting together such a fantastic trip, Caleb and Janine—video producers—who made our work look good and Micaela, Program Coordinator, for putting up with us.

Where do you go from here? Any new projects in the works?

I have a few ideas in my head but haven't quite had the time to sit down and plan. And that itself would be an irony 'cuz I'm not much of a planner but I definitely want to continue pursuing the art of filmmaking and hopefully be able to contribute in whatever way I can, whether it be in the narrative form or documentaries.

...and finally, what is a smart, charming woman like you doing single?

(Laughs) I was wondering when this question would pop. You leave me least surprised by this question. Um...I don't know about being smart or charming but yes I am single and it's just a choice I've made. The whys will stretch so let's leave it at that for now.

The next Democracy Video Challenge submission is due January 31, 2010. To apply, go here: videochallenge.america.gov

Tsering Choden's winning entry from Nepal for the Democracy Video Challenge.

Democracy Video Challenge Awards Ceremony by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.