Episode 26 - Leo Macias and Sidney Needles - Debriefing a TV production trip to India

What is it like to produce a television program in another country? Maranatha’s media production manager Leo Macias and communication specialist Sidney Needles debrief their recent trip to India. Come behind the scenes and learn how TV is produced in the field, and hear about specific challenges these two faced while filming across multiple states in India. Sidney describes her role as a field producer, and Leo explains how professional camera equipment makes a difference in filming.The two talk about their first stop in the state of Andhra Pradesh where they filmed a water well story. Sidney describes the challenge of conducting interviews through a translator, Leo explains the task of asking locals to authentically demonstrate their daily routines for filming, and spells out why the time of day can make a huge difference for shooting. Leo and Sidney also talk about the food they ate throughout the trip, what the bathroom situations were like, and describe the scene of two church dedications. After Andhra Pradesh they traveled to the state of Mizoram and the Pine Hill Adventist School, where they interviewed students who escaped civil war in neighboring Myanmar. Leo and Sidney reflect on the reality of being mere miles from conflict, recount a trip close to the border to film a water well story, and discuss how they know TV trips are successful.Here is a completed TV episode from the trip: https://watch.maranatha.org/maranatha-mission-stories/videos/mms11e61-1Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!On September 19, 2026, join us in Sacramento, California, for our annual convention, Mission: Maranatha. You’ll be inspired by volunteer testimonies, stories from the mission field, and updates from Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders around the globe. Plus, be blessed by Oakwood University's award-winning choir, The Aeolians.Learn more at https://maranatha.org/media-events/maranatha-convention/