Camera Assistants Course - Cape Town

I'm starting to notice something of a pattern emerging and it's not pretty - here's the latest next great learning opportunity to bypass KZN entirely:

Now in it's 13th year, the 2009 Camera Assistants Course is a mainstay of the South African film industry and has a reputation for supplying thorough, dedicated, committed and professional camera assistants, primarily due to it's intensive bootcamp-style structure. Also known for it's ability to stay up to date with emerging technology, the course also includes an intensive Digital-module which takes up 5 days of the 12 day course.



The Cape Town leg is from the 6th-18th July. Media Film Service plays host, and bookings / enquiries can be directed to Blaise at Media CPT on 021 511 3300.

So: of course I'd love to see KZN film folk taking up this great opportunity. But does anyone else want to enquire if they're coming to Durban next year? Perhaps they think we don't have enough potential camera assistants? I suppose the next challenge from the industry therefore is - do we?? And if we do, HOW DO WE FIND YOU??? In the meantime, here are a couple of Teach Yourself sites and applications.

Screen Africa Talent and Technology Conference

Make a note: the 6th Screen Africa Talent & Technology Conference will take place on 23 July 2009 alongside the Mediatech Africa exhibition.

Dedicated to the business of broadcast, film, new media and communications media in South Africa and Africa, the Talent and Technology Conference represents an excellent platform for learning and sharing experiences in the fields of technology developments and trends as well as content creation, management and delivery.



With a strong focus on 2010 and Low Budget Production, the conference highlights include panel discussions on 2010 Preparations, New Media, Digital Terrestrial TV, Doing Business in Africa, Film Financing, New Technologies and Platforms, Funding Update and Broadband Internet Opportunities. You know what I'm going to say: will there be a bus from KZN??

For more information visit www.screenafrica.com

KZN Music Imbizo

If you want to see a grass-roots movement building opportunities and economic growth - the kind of movement we're going to have to pull off if we want to exploit the benefits of digital media - then sign up for the KwaZulu-Natal Music Imbizo, a fully fledged music conference and exhibition aimed at boosting the SA music industry. The event runs in Durban from September 26th - 28th 2009.



The KwaZulu-Natal Music Imbizo aims at revealing how the industry can create new revenue streams, build loyalty with current customers, tap into new markets, benefit from the film industry, remain competitive, protect its work amongst other vital requirements needed to ensure growth in the South African music industry. (sounds familiar, no??)

The registration process has already begun. For more information, contact Sphe Mbhele: sphe@creativelead.co.za /031 201 6343 or visit the website.

Time of the Writer Festival

The 12th Edition of the Time of the Writer has announced its programme and the key participants for the Durban-based Festival next month.

With a line-up of approximately 20 new and established writers, predominantly from South Africa and elsewhere on the African continent, the Time of the Writer festival provides a stimulating platform for dialogue and exchange between writers. It's therefore an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to gain insight into different kinds of creative processes and perspectives that writers undertake - which may in turn, assist in the creation of even better Durban stories.



Tickets are R25 for the evening sessions, R10 for students, and can be purchased through Computicket or at the door one hour before the event. Workshops and seminars are free. Contact the University of KwaZulu-Natal 's Centre for Creative Arts for more information on 031 260 2506/1816 or e-mail cca@ukzn.ac.za

Video Nation

Video Nation is a BBC project to capture stories by ordinary people from around England. It sounds just the kind of thing the SABC could look at to get South Africans involved and interested in the tools of production. In the mean time however, the site offers free on-line learning of various aspects of filmmaking. Topics include Lighting the Subject, Recording Sound and Filming Action.

Fespaco

The Panafrican Film and TV Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) is the largest African film festival across the continent. The next edition will take place from 28 February to 7 March 2009 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.


www.afrikmedia.com

Featuring a tremendous film festival, a vibrant product market that specialises in African films, and a Professionals programme that includes panels, debates, workshops, roundtable, masterclasses and other invaluable learning opportunities, FESPACO is a must-do for African filmmakers.

Entry forms for both the Festival and the Film and Television Market are available here