As the year draws to a close, so too does
the Durban Film Office’s successful series of Zero Budget Filmmaking Workshops
in 2013.
For those who have never taken advantage of
this exciting initiative, hurry to secure a seat at this year’s last Zero
Budget Filmmaking Workshop taking place on December 7 at the KwaMashu Community
Advancement Project’s Ekhaya Multicultural Arts Centre (Also known as the K-CAP
EMAC Centre) during the 10th KZN African Film Festival (December 6 to 15, 2013).
The final leg of the year-long series
follows a succession of monthly workshops held at various locations in and
around Durban including; Inanda, Ntuzuma, Umlazi, Lamontville, Cato Manor,
Mariannhill and many more.
The free-to-public initiative of the Durban
Film Office is aimed at developing the local film industry by providing
practical skills to meet the growing market demand of low or zero-budget films.
“The workshops have been well-received by
budding and impressionable filmmakers that are keen to make their mark in the
industry,” said Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. He also stated that the
success of the workshops have assisted the Durban Film Office in their efforts to promote quality local film productions,
irrespective of budget, as well as
facilitate skills–sharing between professional and emerging filmmakers. “Not
only has the workshop proved the need for such in-demand skills but it has also
been successful in transferring skills to up-and-coming filmmakers around the
city,” he said.
The monthly market programme forms part of
the Durban Film Office’s drive to provide a platform for Durban filmmakers to
develop their craft, promote their projects, networking and an opportunity to
collaborate with other filmmakers on new projects.
The day-long workshop will provide budding
filmmakers with tools, tips and techniques of how to shoot low-budget
production as well as facilitate a dialogue to discuss ideas on independent
filmmaking and distribution.
Facilitating this exciting initiative is
acclaimed Durban filmmaker Philani Sithebe of local production company Durban
Motion Pictures. A veteran in the Durban film industry, Sithebe has almost 20
years of experience working as a scriptwriter, director and producer on a
number of hit films including comedy Pushpa’s
Love Child, horror Flush, drama Knife edge and Nothing for Mahala Gazi in addition to many more.
Sithebe, who has been commissioned by
broadcaster DSTV and their Mzansi Magic channel to produce several feature
films, has first-hand experience with low-budget films maintaining that these
films have a unique place in the market.
“It is definitely a skill worth acquiring
and the response from workshop attendees has reflected this – each month we
witness dozens of new, hopeful faces that are eager to be a part of the
promising film industry by utilising their newfound skills,” he explains.
The Durban Film Office (DFO) is the film
industry development arm of the eThekwini Municipality, mandated to position
Durban as a world-class film production destination and facilitator for the
development of the local film industry. The DFO drives activity and development
in the sector in order to boost tourism, job creation and the development of
core skills and SMMEs in the region.
The workshop will cover the basics of
zero-budget filmmaking and will touch on everything from concept to
distribution and everything else in between, including what makes a compelling
story, developing a good-quality script, selecting the right cast, attracting
investors and applying for funding, creating and managing your budget, dealing
with copyright issues, professional camera and editing skills and effective
marketing and sales action plans and much more.
The workshop will also include special
screenings of popular local zero-budget films alongside their filmmakers who
will also engage in a discussion about their unique experiences with attendees.
The Zero Budget Filmmaking Workshop will
take place on December 7, 2013, from 08h00 to 17h00 at K-CAP EMAC (B25 Giya
Road, Kwa Mashu) during the KZN African Film Festival (December 6 to15)
To book a place or for more information on
the workshop, contact Faiza Williams on email: Faiza.Williams@durban.gov.za or
call 031 311 4243.
For more information on the Durban Film
Office, visit www.durbanfilmoffice.com
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