GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - For those dreaming of a career in the film industry who thought that training opportunities on the Garden Route were only pie in the sky, take heart.
At the end of October, iKasi Media will bring their expertise to the Garden Route as they will present an accredited training programme - an introduction to film, television and digital media to George.
Expert training
An accredited training programme will be held in Thembalethu from 28 October to 15 February 2020. The training is presented by Lamise Inglis, who is now the training director at iKasi Media. Inglis ran the industry-linked learnerships at the ETV E Academy.
"Keeping training relevant in the Garden Route area is key to sustainability. Our priority is to see local youth partake in incoming productions as well as to create content themselves," says Lika Berning from iKasi Media.
The Bachelor series from Europe filmed in the Bitou area, recently completing The Bachelorette Switzerland. This provided an opportunity to place iKasi Media learners.
"We are also placing learners as far afield as Johannesburg, where graduate Ryan Campher, from New Horizons, has a chance to work on an Mzanzi Magic production," Berning says.
Huge potential
According to Patrick Walton from the Garden Route Film Office, the Garden Route has huge potential as a film destination.
"In the past four years ShootAway Productions, for example, has shot in over 120 locations throughout the Garden Route for international productions. With this increase in filming activity, there is also an increase in skills development as more producers source local suppliers, talent and services." Walton says that with the economic slowdown worldwide, South Africa is still pulling a lot of productions due to the exchange rate, longer working hours or crew, favourable weather and locations.
"The Garden Route is in an accelerated growth period as more attention and focus is being put on the region through the efforts of the Garden Route Film Office. Due to its infrastructure, Knysna is hosting the first International Film Festival in the region."
Walton says that the long term vision is to expand across the Garden Route, since festivals bring in not only national producers, but also international ones to see the Garden Route and its potential. The Knysna International Film Festival takes place from 29 October to 2 November.
Where to apply
Interested parties who would like to undergo training can send a WhatsApp to 081 219 3526.
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