On 5 March the Visual Impact Academy in Cape Town launched its 2010 initiative in partnership with the Cape Film Commission (CFC), Africa Soccer Media and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Four-day Bootcamp courses will be run for those interested in learning how to become production, camera and sound assistants for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
VI Academy director Paul Lensen explained the reasoning behind the initiative: “2010 is around the corner, and according to our research and the information provided by our partners, the need to supply competent ENG (electronic news gathering) and SNG (satellite news gathering) assistants is pressing.’
Linton Rensburg, the marketing, communications and special 2010 projects manager for the CFC added: “It is important to identify the 2010 opportunities for filmmakers. Therefore, the CFC and the film industry have decided that training and development is going to be an important cornerstone of building legacies around the film industry here in our province.
“We have four top European teams and one top South American team that are planning to set up their base camp here in the Western Cape. They have huge travelling parties of media representatives both from electronic and broadcast fields. This creates a big opportunity for the film industry. The CFC is committed to providing the necessary skills so that South Africans can have the opportunity to be trained as assistants for the World Cup.’
Rensburg stressed that a percentage of people doing the course and working at the World Cup should come from previously disadvantaged background. “Transformation is an important agenda that the film industry in Cape Town would like to drive. The CFC is sponsoring 20 seats per course for previously disadvantaged people.’
Africa Soccer Media’s Michael Bardsley spoke about working at World Cup sporting events and he gave the audience an idea of what international film crews require from assistants.
Successful students who complete the VI Academy 2010 Bootcamp course will have their names placed on the Africa Soccer website and will be put in touch with international crews who need assistants in 2010. Some of Africa Soccer’s clients include ESPN, Sky News Sports, Fuji TV and IMG Media.
The top 32 students who complete the VI Academy 2010 Bootcamp will be allocated to Host Broadcasting Services (HBS), which works together with FIFA to supply the support services for the World Cup broadcast rights holders. HBS will have 32 ENG teams in South Africa during the World Cup.
Together with Africa Soccer’s clients, HBS has the following requirements for ENG and SNG assistants: a drivers licence with sufficient driving experience; a cell phone; some familiarisation with audiovisual production through courses at a university or jobs in the industry; reliability; dynamism; and knowledge of international terminologies. VI Academy has done extensive research into what is required from assistants, and has put together the course content in line with these requirements.
VI’s Marius van Straaten noted that the Bootcamp camp had been heavily researched. “We spoke to HBS, the LOC (the local organising committee for 2010) and to people who have been to and worked at World Cups before. The CFC has a history of doing in-depth research and passed on their feedback. Thanks to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, we were able to ensure that our course content is educationally sound and in line with the NQF (National Qualification Framework) standard.’
The 2010 Bootcamp course will cover the following: communication etiquette; conflict resolution; punctuality; basic gear check; pre-location planning and preparation; tripod set-up; camera set-up; cable management; monitor set-up; basic sound recording and monitoring; boom swinging; how to set up microphones on people; three-point lighting and striking; effective communication on set; international terminology; camera preparation; audio preparation; GPS navigation; navigating the Cape; and other basic technological skills.
Students will be given an Assistants Manual that will include: where to get what; GPS locations of shots; how to get shots of different locations; understanding the event; terminology and so on. On the 4th day of training, students will be tested with simulations, basic case studies and problem-solving exercises. The test will be both theoretical and practical. At the end of the course, students will receive a certificate that lists their competency.
The price of the course is R2 850 including VAT, and the course will be run on the following dates:
– 23 – 26 April
– 7 – 10 May
– 4 – 7 June
– 30 July – 2 August
– 3 – 6 September
– 5 – 8 November
All course material, HD equipment, sound and lighting gear, and lunch will be included in the cost of the course. Acceptance into the course runs on a first come, first serve basis.
Applicants can download the application form from www.visuals.tv and email it to academy@visuals.tv, or fax to 021 461 7983.
To apply for CFC sponsorship for the 2010 Bootcamp course, contact Abigail at Abigail@capefilmcommission.co.za, or call 021 483 9070.
For more info go to www.visuals.tv/Visual_Impact_Academy.php or email academy@visuals.tv.
