SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Linda Krige writes… Internationally renowned industry experts shared their knowledge on the subject of the television comedy and sitcom genre at the Entertainment Master Class (EMC) which finishes its third module in Cape Town this week.
The Cape Town Module, co-ordinated and hosted by Waterfront Studios, was the third EMC module of the year, and the second to be hosted in South Africa, following the one in November 2010.
South African participants formed about half of the 22 participants, with the other half coming from countries including Germany, Norway, Malaysia, Spain, Belgium and Romania.
Guest speakers included South African creative producer / director Roberta Durrant, who talked about her experience working on legendary local sitcoms such as “Sgudi “Snaysi, Going Up and Stokvel in a session titled “Comedy on Limited Resources and for Reconciliation in South Africa’.
“I really think comedy can be used to examine and expose some very tricky territory in South Africa. You can address those issues without getting too close to the bone,’ explained Durrant.
Participants also took part in a storylining session with Humphrey Barclay and Paul McKenzie, respectively the producer and writer on Channel 4’s ground-breaking black sitcom of the early nineties, Desmond’s.
According to South African participant Asivhanzhi “Asi’ Mathaba, executive producer of Asi –B Films, he saw the EMC as an important investment in the future of the industry. “If you look at the calibre of the lecturers, this was a once in a lifetime chance to get unlimited access to them for a few days,’ said Mathaba.
The EMC also announced a strategic alliance with Octopus Media Technology, a leading edge, cloud based video content management and delivery platform, to offer .
“As a result of the strategic alliance EMC will be able to enhance its offering to participants, alumni and others in the industry as well as enabling those in the TV and film business to be able to take advantage of OctopusMT’s leading edge services through EMC,’ said Octopus president, Andrew Eborn.
For more on the EMC, read the October issue of Screen Africa.
