TRAINING NEWS

A guide to producing

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:32

The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa’s (NFVF) Sediba programme for advanced and emerging producers aims to help them package projects for local and international markets.

UK-based Angus Finney, an experienced international film industry executive, consultant and author is the main facilitator for the Sediba Programme. Finney runs London’s premier film finance market, PFM, which has raised more than $120m towards independent film production over the past decade.

“The aim of the Sediba programme is to develop well-rounded producers who understand the business of filmmaking from packaging to financing to distribution,” says Finney.

“South Africa has a strong history of servicing international productions, which has helped develop some experienced line producers and service-orientated film and television companies. However, Sediba courses are strategically aimed at developing fully-fledged film producers: filmmakers who understand the development process, the challenges of putting a package together (including script, appropriate budget, director and cast) and the difference between local language and culturally specific South African content, next to larger international co-productions.”

Finney elaborates that the programme also spends a considerable amount of time on financing, recoupment, business planning, distribution and marketing aspects of the industry. “We also encourage each producer to do their own personal plan prior to any business planning. This ensures they focus on their immediate needs, financial aims and career prospects. We aim to nurture a cohort of producers that can take the South African industry to the next level.”

On raising film finance in the current precarious global economy, Finney says: “Raising development finance is always difficult. It’s high risk and often results in considerable sunken costs and time expended with no production payoff. But South Africa has some very favourable aspects when it comes to production finance – in particular your tax structures and the NFVF’s growing status as a key strategic partner. The key is to price each project correctly, with a firm eye on the market.”

He adds: “The main gap in skills and knowledge lies less in practical production and more in what I call ‘financial producer’ skills, areas such as international sales, finance models, recoupment charting, business-to-business marketing, and so on. That said, creative management skills are paramount, so we focus on how to handle writers and directors and how to support creative talent. These skills are critical if a producer is to lead a team and command the respect of the other partners.”

It is vital that emerging producers have passion and determination. “They also need to have the ability to listen, forge links and partnerships with people brighter and more experienced than they, and keep going when it seems impossible,” says Finney.

He maintains that the business of financing films is not set in stone. “The best way to finance films is per project and with a defined set of specific targets. Every film is unique. However, any serious South African producer needs to understand the local and international markets. In particular, a proper knowledge of the international terms of co-production – and countries that South Africa has co-production treaties with – is essential for films of more than $3m to $4m.”

Finney believes that the South African industry is in a good state. “We should be encouraged that the local industry is alive and that audiences are finding indigenous films appealing beyond the Leon Schuster slapstick comedies.

“The key is how to develop local and township audiences and this requires excellent local films that are compelling, resonate and say something about the communities and people living across the nation.”

SCREENAFRICA Print Magazine – October 2011 (view here)

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