Member Profile: Helena Pereira Written by Lisa Smith

This past winter, Helena Pereira produced her first video after completing SCAT’s basic portable production classes. The lively four-minute video documents the activities behind the scenes of Crianza Feliz, a Brazilian Christian children’s show recorded in SCAT’s studio. It features images of the crew in the control room, backdrops and sets being assembled, children in festive costumes practicing their dance routines, and short interviews with the children on the show.

Helena’s journey to Somerville began ten years ago at the age of 24, with her decision to leave her hometown of Curtiba, a city in southern Brazil. She says she moved to the United States because of the poor economy in her homeland. Helena recalls, “I was a teacher in Brazil. I loved teaching children but the economy was bad. With my pay, I could only afford my rent and to eat and to buy clothes. That’s it! I didn’t have any money left over to do anything else. I was also looking for a change.”

When she immigrated, Helena lived in Florida with her sister and brother. Shortly after arriving, they all moved again— to Somerville, where her brother had friends. She remembers, “It was hard when I first came here. I was homesick and missed my family in Brazil.” A devote Christian, Helena soon became involved with the Assembly of God, a local church whose members come from the Brazilian Diaspora. She says, “After I met them, I didn’t feel alone anymore. I was part of a community.” Along with emotional and spiritual support, the church members provided additional assistance. “They would help you find jobs, schools and places to learn English.”

Through the church, Helena became involved with Crianza Feliz, one of four television shows her church produces through SCAT. For the past four years, Helena has used the skills she learned in high school art and theater classes to assist in the production. She creates the puppets used on Crianza Feliz and teaches arts and crafts on the show.

Recently, Helena decided to learn how to produce her own videos. When asked what motivated her take SCAT’s portable video production classes, she says, “I had two reasons. One reason was to learn how to make Crianza Feliz better both technically and visually, because (the show’s producer) Marcos is very busy and doesn’t have time to do everything.” The other reason is that her friend, and fellow SCAT member, Maria Teles wanted her to take the class with her. Helena recalls, “Maria said it would be fun, and we had fun taking the class.”

Before Helena entered the editing suite, though, she was apprehensive of the process. She thought it would be too difficult. “Then when I took the editing class and saw how it was done in the computer, I realized it was a lot easier than I originally thought.” Now she is hooked. Her eyes light up, “It is something new that gives me pleasure.”

Looking forward, Helena plans to build on her skills and hopes to one day produce educational videos for children. Though, she acknowledges that she still has a lot to learn. As for her impressions on joining SCAT, Helena says, “I’m so happy for SCAT. It is the beginning of what my potential in video can be. It has opened my eyes . . . I can see what I can do and how I can use my talents while making videos.”

Somerville Community Access Television
90 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-628-8826 | Fax: 617-628-1811
Email: info@access-scat.org
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