October 2008

The debate around film companies being charged high location fees or refused access by certain tourism venues and attractions has raised several important issues, which In Focus intends to examine in upcoming editions...

In late August, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) convened a meeting at Museum Africa, inviting representative bodies of the film and television industry such as the CPA, IPO, GFC, NFVF, DTI, Association of SA Film Crew Agents…

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime – receiving face-to-face advice and hands-on training from some of the country’s top film professionals, while working with a group that is passionate about the film industry and about developing skills among previously disadvantaged youth.  It’s the MultiChoice Film Talent Incubator programme, from which 16 participants graduated at the end of September…

Jerusalema, perhaps the most written about movie currently on the circuit, has already gone over the 1.7 million in box office receipts in just 5 weeks…

Michael Raeburn’s Triomf, which debuted internationally at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and locally at the National Arts Festival, is to enjoy a limited release by Nu Metro in February next year…

Saffron TV, a niche television channel targeted mainly at the South African Indian market was launched on the 30th of August this year on the DSTV bouquet. The channel goes out at weekends on the premium bouquet and to subscribers for 20 hours a day from Monday to Friday…

Young Minds Productions (YMP), a motion picture company owned by young and energetic people, initiated and ran the recent Orange Farm High Schools Against Women & Child Abuse Games 2008.  Designed to regenerate and increase existing awareness of violence against women and children, the event focused on strategic partnerships between government departments, the private sector, media and the diplomatic community to spread the message…

With a mission to share the value of Africa with itself and with the world, TV and film production company Coal Stove is living up to this goal.  Sunday nights have been jazzed up with the monthly screenings and panel interactions, Off the Shelf, hosted by Coal Stove in downtown Joburg…

Adobe recently held exclusive live seminars in Johannesburg and Cape Town to demonstrate how using Adobe Acrobat 9 software ‘helps make your work look just as good as the work you put into it’…

On the strength of the four Isuzu commercials produced late last year, Momentum McCann commissioned local Johannesburg-based production company Creative Vision yet again. A five minute film, seamlessly combining live-action and animation, could set a new standard for launch audio visuals…

Well-known and respected director, Akin Omotoso, is venturing into the world of commercials.  Sub urban recently announced that the director has “joined our family”…

The Africa Channel, the US-based television network showcasing the rich and diverse perspectives of Africa’s people, made its official launch in the New York metro area exclusively on Time Warner Cable’s New York City Region on September 18…

Ekurhuleni (formerly the East Rand) means ‘place of peace’ and is a region to the east of Gauteng where idyllic farms are found next to sprawling industrial sites with their factories belching smoke. There are abandoned mine dumps and historic sites, as well as majestic wetlands, dams and nature reserves – all form part of Ekurhuleni’s attraction as a film location…

As the fifth in a series of articles profiling various manufacturers, suppliers and services who cater specifically to the film and television industry in Gauteng, In Focus spoke to Zimele Broadcasting Services, a major supplier of a broad range of broadcasting equipment, and Wild and Marr, a long established sole importer of leading brands of professional audio products…

In the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, In Focus will feature news relating to events involving the Film and Television industry in preparation for this great occasion...