The workshop will bring together up to 15 film professionals and will cover key issues common to script development and the role of the script editor in that process.

The five-day programme is designed to introduce the concept and practice of good feature script development by focusing on the role of the script editor and how they work with writers and producers. The programme will enable participants to gain the skills necessary to enhance their own film-making and that of their peer community and wider industry.

By the end of the workshop there will be a number of committed, confident script editors ready and able to help make a positive contribution to both local and international film-making, said a media release from the ttff.The programme will include practical sessions using scripts from participants as well as more general film reference material, to give participants immediate experience of the process and allow scriptwriters to take advantage of feedback for their specific projects.

Annalee Davis, Caribbean Arts manager, British Council said in the release: “When the British Council consulted with regional stakeholders and film-makers in November 2016, it became clear that screenwriting was an area where focus would be welcome, with a particular emphasis on creating the context for a stronger culture of project development.

The British Council is therefore delighted to be collaborating with the ttff, to run this Story Editing workshop.” Bruce Paddington, founder and festival director of the ttff commented: “Good scripts not only require excellent writers but also the involvement of perceptive script editors who can help shape and improve the script.

This workshop is therefore timely as Trinidad and Tobago strives to develop its film industry. The ttff is pleased to be working with the British Council on this important initiative.” The workshop will be led by Ludo Smolski, a script development consultant, script editor and reader for a variety of organisations in the UK, including iFeatures4, Creative Scotland, Scottish Film Talent Network, Film4 and the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Fund. He previously worked for The Script Factory, running their development and script feedback service, and devising and delivering training courses and workshops for screenwriters, developers and readers, both in the UK and internationally.

Smolski is also a tutor for the National Film and Television School’s Postgraduate Diploma in Script Development, and delivers courses in script analysis and development for Creative England, the Film Distributors’ Association and the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU).

A similar workshop will be held in Jamaica in a collaboration between the British Council, the Jamaica Film and Television Association (Jafta) and the Jampro Film Commission (Jampro), from March 1 – 5.

Applications are invited for the workshops.

For more info and guidelines: https:// caribbean.britishcouncil.

org/programmes/ arts/making-development- work

It was quite obvious that Orlando Octave’s “Single” was the tune of choice of the female patrons and both bands had that song in their repertoire.

It seem that patrons could not get enough of the song and kept requesting it over and over.

TUCO set the pace as others tried to keep up since as the 2017 songs just keep on coming.

Dennis Lawrence, 42-years-old, is tipped to be the next national coach a day after the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) issued a press release indicating it is yet to come to a final decision “following several hours of its statutory Board Meeting on Wednesday evening at the Association’s Head Office.” It was reported previously that the TT FA technical committee had narrowed the search for a new coach down from initially five applicants to three – Englishman Terry Fenwick, St Lucia’s Stuart Charles Fevrier and Colombian Francisco Maturana.

But Dexter Skeene, head of TT FA’s technical committee, yesterday morning said the committee was still “finalising” and five coaches were still in play for the top post, namely Lawrence, Russell Latapy and the aforementioned three.

He told Newsday: “We’re just finalising this process. Just give me a little more time and i’ll get back to you in a little bit. We’re finalising, just respect the process for me. We finalising the position.” He continued: “We had five names we were looking at. There were five names. Yeah, we have five names we’re looking at. You should get something at the end of the day to run with.” By press time, though, the TT FA did not issue a statement with rumours rife that Lawrence had been offered the post with details still to be finalised.

Contacted again, Skeene indicated the TT FA were “finalising” and said a decision would be announced “by weekend”.

Lawrence has played in England and Wales for eight years (2001-2009) and boosted his reputation as a coach while working as an assistant to Spaniard Roberto Martinez at English Premier League club Everton.

He was officially the club’s first-team development coach.

He has also coached at Wigan Athletic under Martinez briefly from October 2010.

According to a report on local sports website Wired 868.com, Fevrier and Fenwick were the front runners for the position with Fevrier the preferred choice by the technical committee.

However, the TT FA Board of Directors allegedly rejected Fevrier for the top position. Newsday understands that Lawrence was everyone’s second choice and has been offered the job.

Dukharan was speaking to the issues of “Connecting Citizens with their energy resources” forum held yesterday at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Columbus Circle, Westmoorings while doing a critical review of the Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s (TTE ITI) 2014 to 2015 report launched last year.

Dukharan was speaking to transparency and its importance.

She noted that the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) had gotten to approximately USD $5.7 billion before it was dipped into last year.

Asking if anyone actually knew how much the country had contributed to the HSF, Dukharan noted the country had only saved US $2.6 billion despite producing oil for 100 years.

The fund manager, she said, had generated the rest to get the country to where it was before it was dipped into.

In a 2016 study done by a former central bank economist, she said, it was found that spending all the country’s energy revenue creates macro- economic volatility.

“The paper found that the optimal level of saving for energy revenue is 80 percent,” she said.

Dukharan said she was pleased there were efforts to establish a revenue authority to improve tax collection but, “to me it is very disappointing of that US $2.6 billion that we saved that brought us to $5.7 billion we are dipping into it without having an acceptable level of tax compliance. We are not collecting that taxes that are due to us whether from the energy sector but particularly from the non-energy sector.” TT was among countries that did not escape the resource curse citing an extract done from a 2012 study that showed countries like Canada and Botswana had escaped the that “resource curse” while countries like TT and Venezuela who had not escaped the resource curse or the paradox of plenty.

“The study found that resource rich countries on average contrary to what we might expect have had worse economic development than countries poor in resources. One reason for this paradox of plenty as we call it in economics is that there is a well-established high correlation between resource abundance and corruption,” she said.

“There is a tendency for oil in particular to impede democracy.

This is why transparency is so important in TT ,” she said.

The drama unfolded outside the compound of the rural Maracas St Joseph Police Station, as the two men __ Kurland George alias “Mice Man” identified by police as a drug dealer, and Shameel “Kazim” Ali, his friend __ both from the El Socorro area and in their early 30’s, were on their way to the building to sign a book to fulfil a bail requirement by George for a firearm offence.

Police reports indicate that the attack was launched as the men were about to alight their vehicle some 200 metres from the station to go into the building. Six persons in two other vehicles, who were following George and Ali, pulled up near the station and began firing at them.

The gunmen rammed one of their vehicles onto the victims’ vehicle overturning it as they shot at them. George and Ali were hit multiple times and died instantly.

On hearing the rapid gun fire, officers on duty at the station rushed outside.

Some officers took cover after the killers began firing at the police station. The front of the station was riddled with bullets and PC Lalchan, who was seated in a police vehicle, was hit in the head. His injury was described as minor.

The five policemen who were on duty at the station alerted senior officers, and officers from other divisions responded to the report. By 4 pm yesterday police cordoned off the murder scene and scores of other officers began combing the Maracas, St Joseph area in search of the killers.

The two vehicles used by the gunmen, a black Hilux van and a white station wagon, were found abandoned about 500 metres away from the murder scene.

The vehicles were being dusted for prints yesterday.

A District Medical Officer was summoned to the scene to view the bodies while PC Lalchan was rushed to hospital. He was listed in a satisfactory condition.

Senior Superintendent Mc Donald Jacob, head of the Northern Division, told Newsday that a joint team of police officers from the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit, Task Force and air support were assisting in combing the Maracas St Joseph hills in search of the killers.

He said that what occurred was very unfortunate and an indication that criminal elements are becoming more brazen to the point where two murders could take place in the vicinity of a police station and also an attack made on the lives of police officers who were ready to respond.

Traffic was debarred near the police station with villagers in the area being told they would have to wait until the crime scene was properly processed before they could enter or leave.

Both police and soldiers stood guard as the processing was taking place, and very soon relatives and friends of the victims turned up, some of them wailing and throwing themselves onto the ground in grief.

None of them wanted to speak to the media. Newsday understand that officers, traumatised over the incident were expected to receive counselling last night.

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams yesterday condemned the shooting incident.

The TTPS, in a statement issued last night, stated that Williams has given the assurance the “assailants will be pursued and brought to justice.”

This according to Political Leader of the Tobago Forwards, Christlyn Moore. At a press conference held yesterday at the party’s headquarters in Scarborough, Tobago, Moore accused other contesting political parties of fraudulence and misconduct.

She stated, “In Moriah, marijuana is being offered to others in an alarming quantity.

That can only suggest sponsorship on an industrial scale.

We say to Tobagonians that we are alive to the efforts being made to steal this election and we say that we will not stand for it.” The former Minister of Legal Affairs under the People Partnership explained, “we will not pay for a vote we certainly will not engage in an illegality or any immorality or any impropriety to get a vote.

Anybody who is offering you weed to vote is not fit to lead; anybody who is paying you to vote is not fit to lead.

Anybody who is engaged in illegality to get your vote will engage in other illegality too when they are elected.

So we sound the warning to the Tobago population to be vigilant.” Moore said other incentives are being handed out with the intention to induce voters, “we are aware that in the Mary’s Hill district in particular that (another party) has been giving out food cards and cash. We want to remind you that this has happened before. We encourage people to take photos of the money wrapped up in jerseys and to audio tape the persons who are making these offers.” Moore said she has been reliably informed that the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) is planning to mobilise supporters from Trinidad to go to Tobago to vote. She also accused the PNM of tampering with the Inter-island Ferry schedule.

“This is the reason why the sailing of the boats on election day has been moved from 6.30 am to 9am from Trinidad. This will allow persons who have been chosen and have been given tickets to be able to make the sailing to be picked up and bussed to the stations.

We are encouraging Tobagonians to take pictures of these people who are coming here to steal an election from the Tobagonians who reside here.”

In a question and answer session on the Archdiocese’s Facebook page, Harris said he saw women highlighted at New Year’s parties in the newspapers and wondered “how can people leave their homes dressed like that.” He said everybody deserves respect and where people have to demand that respect, they must not do so by simply saying it but by their way of life.

“No man has any right to disrespect women, none, we know there are men who will go around and disrespect women and part of the solution is women demanding respect themselves. It is not only a question of having pepper spray and things like that. Women have to demand respect by their way of being.

We have a saying in Trinidad, people get on wassy, I don’t know if getting on wassy is demanding respect,” Harris said. Asked about the behaviour of men, the Archbishop said he believes it starts in the home.

“We train our young men to be disrespectful and then when they grow up and are disrespectful we want to kill them. Home life is meant to teach people to be respectful,” he said.

Ramkissoon was laid to rest yesterday at the Brazil Village Cemetery after a funeral service at the Brazil Faith Assembly International, Talparo Trace 2, Brazil Village. Her body was borne in a white carriage.

When asked about the symbolism of the carriage, one person said since she was not married and had no children, the relatives wanted a “princess farewell”.

The young student of North Eastern College, Sangre Grande, was found dead exactly one week in some bushes at Balata Trace, Talparo. She had missed her bus and was believed to have sought transport with a PH (private hire) driver. She was never seen alive again. Ramkissoon, also known as “Slim” or “Slimmers” but, despite her petite size, was never a follower but a leader.

Fifth Form Dean at North Eastern College, Paula Gonzales, described Ramkissoon as a “beautiful soul” who had tonnes of ambition. During her speech, Gonzales said she told her students that evil and death had no boundaries.

She said the reason while teachers sometimes “came down” on students, they appreciate them and were happy that they are in their lives.

But it was Kaiel Jones’ message to his friend that brought the tears flowing even more.

Jones was accustomed to sitting next to Ramkissoon every morning.

He was so distraught he could barely get his words out.

“Words cannot describe the way I am feeling. You always said to be strong, but I can’t be strong. I remember we would talk about our dreams and aspirations, what we would drive, where we would live, how we would get our families out of poverty,” Jones wept.

“She was the realist person I knew.

Baby girl, I love you very much,” were Jones’ last words to his friend.

Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo, Maxie Cuffie, who attended the service, said because someone snuffed out the life of Ramkissoon, it should not be a reason to mourn, but to celebrate the dedication and perseverance of a young lady who was dedicated to improving herself to family and God.

During the eulogy, Aminater Pierre said while most young girls focussed on their looks to forge ahead, Ramkissoon, always gorgeous, according to her friend, always trained her eyes on her school work.

“I will always look up to her because she was always humble and smart. Relative Patricia Amoroso, did not mince her words.

“You (family) can still walk tall and strong and know that you brought up a daughter you can be proud of.

To the creature who took her life, you are the dirt under the toe nails of Satan. No matter what evil walks among us, you (parents) created an angel,” Amoroso said.

Also present for the service was President Anthony Carmona and several members of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers” Association.

In a judgment of great economy, Justice Boodoosingh examined the nuances of a complex issue.

On the one hand, it is well established as “a hallowed principle of company law” that an incorporated entity has a legal personality and can take action to defend itself from harm.

On the other hand, the common law makes it plain that government institutions should not be able to launch defamation lawsuits due to the imbalance of power: it’s too hard to prove allegations against billion-dollar State enterprises; issues need to be ventilated in the public interest; and public bodies do not enjoy the same rights as private citizens.

The judge came down on the correct side. He properly balanced both competing interests and erred on the side in favour of freedom.

“The rationale for establishing a limited liability company could not have been for the purpose of avoiding scrutiny and obligations that would have applied if the programme remained strictly under State management and control,” Boodoosingh ruled.

Of CEPEP, the judge noted, “This is a government programme.

The funds used are State funds.

The objectives of the programme are national goal objectives such as community development, employment creation and business development.

There is therefore a strong public interest element on there being accountability and oversight of its operations. This need is magnified by the increase in State spending on the programme over time.” While a court has to be slow to fetter a company’s ability to defend itself, the nature of CEPEP is such that it is truly legal sophistry to argue that it could suffer harm to its business by being criticised given the fact that no evidence was put before the court to suggest that CEPEP earns income from sources other than the Government.

The ruling leaves open the door to other actions. Individuals employed in the company may still bring claims. And the company may defend itself in the media.

Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has called for the CEPEP board to resign in light of this ruling.

However, that is uncalled for.

While CEPEP should have been aware of legal precedent suggesting it could not counter-sue Moonilal (who alleges defamation by CEPEP in court), the decision to go ahead with this legal submission has brought about the welcome side-effect of making the law clear.

Sadly, however, taxpayers will have to pay for this clarity, assuming the matter is not subject to appeal. If it is appealed, we may have to pay more for the same result.

The deeper issue of this case is the troubling use of special purpose State enterprises. The lesson of the Uff Commission of Inquiry was that the attempt to evade public service accountability via incorporated entities was simply a manoeuvre too much. It concentrates considerable power into quasi-private puppets that must dance to the beat of a Cabinet drum, effectively, if not in law.

The CEPEP case goes beyond that single entity and serves as a warning to all State entities. Too often such entities, when facing questions from the media, lawyer up and issue threatening letters feigning indignation and hurt. In some cases, considerable sums of State money are used to silence inquiries in companies that already have no clear line of accountability, though they have a pipeline straight to the Treasury.

This ruling should inform the present Government’s review of State enterprises. It should also encourage faster reform of the regime of defamation laws. For now, we are heartened by this victory for free speech.

Newspaper reports pointed out that this is the first time the Police Service used a clause in the Police Service Act No 7, 2006, which permits the Commissioner of Police to ask senior police officers to step down based on poor performance.

Holding police officers accountable for their lack of performance is a major step forward in fighting crime.

This action should make senior police officers examine more innovative ways to fight crime.

If crime is skyrocketing in your division, then you must, as a police officer, look at new ways to prevent crime. Be creative. Get out into the community. Be a part of the community.

Don’t hide in your offices or your vehicles. Don’t engage in foot patrols where you’re doing nothing but chatting with your fellow officers.

Make meaningful connections in communities. Mentor young people.

There are endless possibilities to challenge police officers.

This means that your job as a police officer is not merely to run around like Keystone cops chasing culprits after a crime has been committed.

It means you must look at community-based initiatives that demonstrate police presence and develop a positive message that conveys crime doesn’t pay. It means that communities must see police interacting with individuals in high-risk neighbourhoods in a way that clearly demonstrates that police are invested in those neighbourhoods.

Police need to earn people’s trust, and trust cannot be earned when crime is out of control. If the statistics in a given district are dismal then that clearly indicates that the police need to change gears and do something different.

As police officers, you can’t simply blame crime on criminals. Your job is not just catching criminals. It is preventing crime. If you don’t know that, then you should not be a police officer. Live by your motto “Protect and Serve”.

I have written several columns before about people in other countries who have taken back their communities.

They’ve done it with the presence of police not merely patrolling the place or “investigating” crimes after they have happened. These communities integrate police into the community.

I don’t understand how any high-ranking police officer can excuse poor statistics and then turn around and say that these statistics are only part of the picture and the detection rate for crime has improved in their district.

This means nothing to me unless you have earned the trust of people in those communities that you truly are “detecting” the right people.

I sincerely hope that Acting Commissioner Williams sticks to his guns. He should continue to hold high-ranking police officers accountable for their actions. Talk is cheap. Action is priceless.

Now, the next problem we have to tackle in the Police Service — and the prison system for that matter — is all of this “acting” business.

This is not Hollywood, but the joke out there on the streets is that we have more people “acting” in roles in the police and prison system than Hollywood.

Appoint police officers and prison officers to positions. It sends a clear message that we hold you accountable in your position. The public has more faith in people who are in a position rather than acting in a position.

Good for you, Commissioner Williams.

Your message is loud and clear: Do your job.