MAPPP-SETA

MAPPP-SETA, the Sector Training Authority that covers the film sector (I'm not writing out the entire acronym, it'll take too long.....) is legally obliged to submit a re-establishment/re-certification application to ensure its continued operation from 2010-2015. As part of this process, MAPPP-SETA has created a questionnaire and is undertaking a roadshow - infomation on both is available here. The KZN session is on March 16th at the Southern Sun North Beach.



MAPPP-SETA is looking for your input on a range of issues, including

* Measures to improve the interaction between MAPPP-SETA and all provinces;
* Skills development programmes and activities that MAPPP-SETA should take
into account when compiling its Business Plan for the next five years;
* MAPPP-SETA current performance in attending and addressing the constituency
training needs

Now in my own personal experience, MAPPP-SETA's impact on funding regional training and development funding has been pretty negligible over the last few years. So to ensure this consultation process is more than just window-dressing, now is your chance to demand some changes and let the organisation know what you need.

Silver Stallion Award for Durban Film

Nothing but the Truth, starring John Kani and produced by Durban's Richard Green won the Silver Stallion Award (runner up best movie) at FESPACO, the Pan African Film Festival in Burkina Faso.

Shot in and arouund KwaMashu in 2006, John Kani plays a librarian who, on the eve of his brother's funeral, looks back on his memories of the past. Kani wrote the play on which the movie is based.



Richard starts work shortly on his next Durban production - Promise Me - about an orphan in a fictional African state who sets off across country to meet the President.

Feedback Meetings - Monday 9th

We would like to invite you to join us for a Film Industry Review feedback session with Martin Cuff on the 09/03/2009 at Botanic Gardens. There are two sessions:

• 10.00 - 12.00 for members of the Stakeholder Committee
  

• 13:00 - 15:00 for aspiring producers and participants of the various Collectives

The purpose of the meetings is to workshop the findings of the study to date and to provide you with an opportunity to give further input before we commence drafting the final report.

Your input is most valued and we do hope you are able to attend.

Kindly RSVP your attendance to Thembani Mthembu on 031 311 4243 or MthembuVT@durban.gov.za

Kind Regards,

Gugu Zungu
Durban Film Office
031 311 4243 (T)

New Media Information

Want to know what countries like China, India, South Korea and even Jamaica are doing with New Media Production? I came across this Futures of Learning website, with all sorts of global projects and programmes for the Durban Film sector to benchmark itself against.

The convergence of consuming and producing digital media has been termed “prosuming” (Lim and Nekmat 2008). This practice has been democratized with the increasing availability of technology tools to (young) Indians from all socio-economic strata. While findings avenues for creative expression is at the heart of prosuming, the objectives differ depending on who is doing the prosuming. For more affluent Indian youth it is often tied to commercial ends that try to capitalize on the growing middle-class Indian youth market and its potential for technology and other companies. On the other hand, enabling poorer young Indians to produce digital media is seen as a way of giving them a voice to express their experiences and attitudes about their lives and neighborhoods.

Sounds like the kind of discussions we have here in SA, no?

iPhone Applications

As a recent Mac convert, I also used my due cellphone upgrade to switch to iPhone. I mention this, not only because I am a smug b******d, but also because I am consistently amazed at the mobile applications I come across that could be used by canny producers......

There's Eternity, for instance, a time-management tool that allows you to log and track your time, create daily reviews, daily, weekly or monthly reports, export your timesheets.

And via the VertigoEffect blog, I came across a Depth of Field application for cinematographers.



Something tells me that this sort of mobile technology is only going to become more inherent in everything we do......

First on Mars

First On Mars styles itself as "your personal guide to network tv on the web" What that really means is a website where you can find and download all your favourite US tv shows for free streaming / download. You build a "playlist" that matches your moods, or simply select your favourite networks and shows. And of course you can share your selections with friends.....



The site's not terribly user friendly, but just imagine this kind of thing as a repository for African product? With a pay-per-play button? Like iTunes for African films.....

Corporate / Training Films

The Safety and Security SETA has announced a Request for Proposals for Discretionary Grants Funding for 2008/9. The tender advert says:

Funding will be made available for qualifying proposals from employers within the Safety and Security Industry that address the following priority areas relating to scarce and critical skills:

• Adult Basic Education and Training
• Skills Programmes
• SMMEs, NGOs, CBOs
• New Venture Creation

So while you probably can't apply for these funds directly yourselves, there's no reason at all why you shouldn't be dusting off your proposals for Training Videos and engaging immediately with your contacts in the local Safety and Security sector. The application deadline is March 13th.