Media release
19/08/2008
The department in partnership with SABC to launch the Script
writers
It won’t be long before Mpumalanga stories by Mpumalanga people
are flighted on national TV. That is the view of general manager
for arts and culture in the Mpumalanga Department of Culture,
Sport and Recreation (DCSR), Mr Mafika Lubisi whose unit
initiated a Film and TV Script Writers programme in partnership
with the SABC Content Hub, which will begin on the 23 August
2008 in Nelspruit.
Its aim is to unearth good scripter writers, who can tell
compelling stories about Mpumalanga ahead of the launch of SABC
multi-channel in the coming few years. Also, to develop the
capacity of locals and position the province as a destination of
choice for film makers and film making.
“We want script writers who will be able to give a true
reflection of Mpumalanga on TV and big screen,” says Lubisi,
adding that those selected to partake in the workshop will
address the lack of Mpumalanga content on the small screens.
Twenty five promising script writers from all three regions (Gert
Sibande, Nkangala and Ehlanzeni) of the province have been
selected to attend the grueling eight-week workshop presented by
The South African Script Writing Institution.
They will be guided how to write good TV and film scripts,
preferable on Mpumalanga’s rich heritage history and lifestyle.
The target, according to Lubisi, is to get 25 quality 12-minutes
scripts. Once that it’s 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 NQF level five certificates as accredited by
MAPPPSETA, which is equivalent to a diploma.
It is worth noting that the 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 characterized by the script writing initiative
already in processes and the projected producer’s workshop that
will follow in 2009.
According to Lubisi, 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 to SABC or any broadcasting channel.
All media are invited to attend, at Nelspruit, from 10h00.
Please confiorm your attendance
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