A third year Film and Video Technology student has made CPUT proud after her movie Vuyiswa and the Magic Fish was screened at the recent Durban International Film Festival.

Thantaswa Fiki, 21, submitted her entry for the film festival after it was selected among the best three movie ideas in her class by a panel of lecturers.

The film was screened in five different venues in Durban during the Durban International Film Festival between 22 July and 2 August 2009.

The idea came about last year after Fiki and the rest of the class were given a project, which required them to put together a story idea for a film.

They later pitched their ideas to a panel and three unique and feasible story ideas were selected, whereafter the shooting began.

The film is about the character Vuyiswa, who loses her mother in a sudden death. After her mother’s death, she is distraught and alone and meets the magic fish that brings her food each day.

The plot centres around the character’s struggle with her ‘evil step-sister’ that kills the fish to make Vuyiswa’s life even more miserable. But in the end love saves the day.

According to Fiki, after the film idea was selected; the ‘real job’ began.

Fiki said: “We started immediately on pre-production, and had to find the cast for the movie and relevant location as we needed a rural place.”

Even though Fiki admitted that it was difficult to find a suitable location, they (the film crew) managed to secure Clarra Anna Fontein, a private game lodge in Durbanville.

The production of the film also gave upcoming actors a chance to showcase their talents.

Learners from Harry Gwala High School in Khayelitsha and a group of women musicians called Oomama Bonginqwa from Langa Township, who usually perform at the Waterfront, were part of the cast.

Fiki said: “Even though most of the cast was made up of unknown actors, they were good and did not give us hard time.

“We were honoured to have among us an experienced actor Zolile ‘Zorro’ Sodloyi, who played a part in the film, Intonga”, added Fiki.

After the movie was done, it was screened at the GrandWest Casino to a warm response.

Before being screened at the Durban International Film Festival, the movie was also screened on Cape Town TV, a community television station and at Ithuba Arts Festival.

Fiki heard about the film festival in Durban and decided to take her chances.

After it was agreed that her movie would be screened in the festival, she then approached the Cape Film Commission for funding.

The Cape Film Commission sponsored Fiki’s trip, including flights, accommodation and transportation to and around Durban.

Fiki’s film was based on a book written by Nick Greaves called The Magic Fish Bones.

“I had to add my own flavour in the whole story and I also added more events like witchcraft and polygamy. I wanted it to have an African perspective,” said Fiki. “The response to my recent movie has given me much strength. I have been getting a lot of compliments from high-profiled people in the industry who said they have never seen such as young person doing something in her own language,” she concluded.

By Andiswa Dantile

Photograph: (left) Students film Vuyiswa and the Magic Fish (right) Young director Thantaswa Fiki meets well-known local actor Akin Omatoso at the Durban International Film Festival

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Visual Impact Academy Boot Camp held its first training course on 23 April 2009. The boot camp is a joint initiative between CPUT. the Cape Film Commission (CFC) and Africa Soccer Media.

Students arrived bright and early on a chilly Thursday morning with much excitement and anticipation. Among these students was the first batch of previously disadvantaged individuals sponsored by the CFC, who arrived along with the others with the aim of being trained to work as broadcast assistants for 2010.

The four-day course covered a range of theoretical topics including an overview of pre-production, production and post-production; set etiquette; communication skills; terminology; and interpersonal communication. Following this the students engaged in practical training in ENG (electronic news gathering) and SNG (satellite news gathering) assisting, such as gear checks; camera and tripod set-up, camera set-up; three-point lighting; audio set-up; and cable management.

Students were taught about satellite links and were taken on a field trip to Dimension TV where an expert put theory into practice with SNG. They were also taught GPS navigation and were given the opportunity to navigate around the streets in Gardens with a GPS. One student said “I liked the practical because it is rare to have an opportunity to handle such expensive equipment”, and another said “The lecturers are energetic and passionate about what they are teaching”.

On the final day of the course the students were evaluated in the form of a theoretical and a practical test. Assessors from industry and educational institutions formed part of the rigorous practical assessment process. The students were asked to perform tasks that a typical ENG and SNG assistant performs. Those who amid the grade will be sized with a certificate detailing what they were able to do practically.

Another great incentive is that everyone who passes the course will get a chance to register on the Africa Soccer Media portal, as well as VI Academy and CFC websites, which will put them in contact with international and local broadcasters for 2010. The top 32 students are also in line to get a chance at working with major international broadcasters.

All in all the first boot camp course was a great success. One student commented: “I liked the way the lecturer made the class participate – they were very professional”, while another said that “the lecturers know what they are talking about and are well experienced, and that the course was well planned and structured – well worth it”.

The VI Academy is looking forward to its next course which starts on 7 May.

by Ashleigh Martyn, Visual Impact Academy

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.