Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer 
Part of the crowd at the Michael W. Smith concert at Cinema II, New Kingston on Sunday. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor
THE CREATIVE Production and Training Centre (CPTC) is about to celebrate is ascension into adulthood. The institution launched its 21st anniversary celebrations from its CTV studios at the Caenwood Complex on Arnold Road, Kingston, on Monday morning.
Hopeton Dunn, chairman and CEO of the institution, explained that the core of the celebrations will take place in April. However, events to mark the anniversary will be scattered throughout the year.
With the events that Dr. Dunn outlined, the anniversary celebrations are set to highlight the CPTC's role as a training centre and production house. The celebrations get their official start on Sunday April 10, 2005, with a thanksgiving service at Fellowship Tabernacle on Half-Way Tree Road. The service will be followed by an exhibition, to be staged at the CPTC's offices at the Caenwood Complex.
The exhibition opens on Monday, April 11, and will feature highlights of CPTC's history while simultaneously tracing developments in local communication media. The institution's role as educator will be further enhanced with the introduction of their public lecture. The inaugural lecture will feature Dr. Tonnie Iredi, director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority, who will address 'Cultural Identity, Diversity, and Communications'.
SPECIAL SCREENING
A special screening of the one-hour documentary The Green Tunnel at the Palace Cineplex, Liguanea, will also be a part of the anniversary celebrations. The Green Tunnel explores the Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine, looking at the physical landscape as well as folklore surrounding the Rio Cobre river, which runs through it and the gorge. According to Dunn, The Green Tunnel is one of several documentaries which will be launched in 2005.
"The upcoming anniversary provides an ideal platform from which the CPTC can review its performance to date and chart its future directions," said Dunn. "While we will be celebrating our past achievements, the events marking the 21st anniversary will also provide an opportunity not just for reflection but also for listening to our public and for sharing our vision of the future."
On Monday, April 11, three special awards will be presented to chairmen and executive leaders of the CPTC over its history. A week earlier, one of these former chairmen, Wycliff Bennett, will hold a master class in voice and speech on Monday, April 4, 2005.
The CPTC was created in 1984. It offers production services for radio and television programmes and commercials, digital music recording, editing, mixing sound effects and other services. Its training programmes include digital audio techniques, video production techniques, voice and speech training, still photography, multi-camera directing and scriptwriting.
The institution is also the parent of the cable station CTV.
