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Mpumalanga wants to tell its stories on the small screen
19 August 2008
The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation will ensure that the province's stories are flighted on national TV and told by local people. This follows the recent agreement between the department and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Content Hub where a Film and TV Script Writers Project, Mpumalanga Film Development was initiated and it will be launched on 22 August 2008, in Nelspruit at Promenade Hotel.
Its aim is to unearth good script writers, who can tell compelling stories about Mpumalanga ahead of the launch of SABC multi-channel in the coming few years and to also develop the capacity of locals and position the province as a destination of choice for film makers and film making.
The General Manager for Cultural Affairs in the Department, Dr Mafika Lubisi says the department wants script writers who will be able to give a true reflection of Mpumalanga on TV and big screen.
Dr Lubisi says that those selected to partake in the workshop will address the lack of Mpumalanga content on the small screen.
Twenty five promising script writers from all the three regions (Gert Sibande, Nkangala and Ehlanzeni) of the province have been selected to attend the gruelling eight-week workshop presented by The South African Script Writing Institution.
They will be guided on how to write good TV and film scripts, preferably on Mpumalanga's rich heritage history and lifestyle. The target is to get 25 quality 12-minutes scripts. Once that is out of the way, they will be placed on a four-month mentoring programmes to track their progress, which will be followed by evaluation based on group work (where they will be required to produce a 24-minute scripts). Upon completion, they will receive National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level five certificates as accredited by Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and Training Authority (MAPPPSETA), which is equivalent to a diploma.
It is worth noting that the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR) and SABC have entered into a three year agreement to put resources together for the development of the thriving film industry in the province. The agreement is characterised by the script writing initiatives already in processes and the projected producer's workshop that will follow in 2009.
Dr Lubisi says they will use both the graduates from the script writers and producers' workshops to turn the scripts into fully-fledged dramas, documentaries and films that have prospects to be flighted on SABC or any other broadcasting channel.
SABC Mpumalanga Regional Manager Hosea Jiyane, Dr Lubisi as well as other senior managers in the department and the SABC are expected to attend the launch.
All media are invited to attend the launch
Date: 22 August 2008
Venue: Promenade Hotel in Nelspruit
Time: 10h00
Contact:
Sammy Mpatlanyane
Tel: 013 766 5014
Cell: 082 923 0550
E-mail: sammymp@mpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
19 August 2008