A studio is a studio is a studio. Four walls, a roof and a floor – right? In very rare cases right, but generally wrong – very wrong, says Andy Stead
A studio is a complex and technically exacting structure demanding high levels of engineering perfection to comply with demanding international standards. It is also a hungry beast that requires occupancy almost on a daily basis to provide a reasonable return on investment for the owner, failing which converting it into an office block can often generate more returns!
Both Gauteng and Western Cape are the studio capitals of South Africa and the Cape Town Film Studios (CTFS) is top of the pile with its magnificent facilities in Film City Boulevard, Faure. Here four Hollywood standard sound stages compete in the international market for occupancy and productions such as Dredd and Labyrinth grace its portfolio.
This success has prompted the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) to consider a similar venture in Gauteng. The GFC has identified an opportunity to develop a major film studio precinct in the province (called Film City) that will aim to improve the province’s production infrastructure in line with international standards, while creating an easily recognisable film hub and cluster for the local industry.
A bold move indeed and if current feasibility studies prove positive, a potential huge boost for the province. But are there sufficient studios to meet demand?
Busy year
Probably the busiest studios in Gauteng at present are Sasani Studios in Highlands North. Currently the home to e.tv soapies Scandal and Rhythm City as well as M-Net’s Big Brother Africa, Sasani have got it right as daily dramas are manna from heaven for studio occupancy.
Sasani’s Eileen Sandrock enthuses: “The highlights for 2011 were of course our soaps. There is also always huge excitement around M-Net’s Big Brother Africa which was bigger than ever last year and creates a fantastic atmosphere on site.
“Projects for this year include expansion developments at Sasani for 2012 and 2013. I will be brainstorming the new developments with more producers and industry players, and structure the developments on the ideas that emerge.’
Atlas Studios’ Jonathan Gimpel says 2011 was a busy year. “We have been much more focused on drama / sitcom and soapies and have hosted among others My Perfect Family for SABC1, Moferefe Lenyalong for SABC2 and Villa Rosa Season Seven.
“We also hosted the very successful People 2 People conference, 11 jam-packed FirstwednesdayFilmclub evenings and various public film community activities.’
Atlas Studios has built 10 new conference and training venues and has moved away from music videos and newsroom studio activities.
“2012 looks promising with the SABC starting to commission again and we have just signed a promotional agreement with the GFC to promote up-and-coming filmmakers,’ notes Gimpel.
Positive trend
Global Access is also upbeat. Says Ronnie van Wijk: “Late in 2011 we saw a slight uptick in studio demand and we are a lot more positive that this trend will continue in 2012. We already have some productions scheduled and a number of enquiries.
“Our studio five and six are ex-SABC technical design specs and now fully HD and completely tapeless. This has had a dramatic impact on the picture and lighting quality of all productions recorded using the new equipment.’
“2011 started with a bang,’ says Camera Facilities’ Roddy Barker. “This was pretty unusual for January and February and raised our hopes for the rest of the year but from March business was rather slow. After discussion with other facilities it seems we were all down on turnover for the year. Music videos have always been popular in our studio and we realised that there was a decline throughout 2011.
“This year will depend on what happens to the world economy. I’m positive that 2012 will improve on last year and hope that our public broadcaster can come to the party and commission new programming.’
New kid on the block
A Studio Called Wonder, which opened in May 2011, had a fantastic opening month with 60% capacity.
“We’ve kept pretty much in that area of work since then,’ says Alex Radnitz. “One of the highlights was hosting Die Antwoord’s new music video Vok julle Naaiers, as well as Jessie Clegg’s Down the Rabbit Hole. We also did a fantastic short film for Pollen for an advertising awards ceremony.
“I am very positive about 2012. Being a new studio I have to put a lot of work into finding new business. We are super motivated and really looking forward to this year.’
Easily adaptable
The Visual Impact studio in the Mediahive building Cape Town had a very busy year with shoots for Community Media Trust and Xcon Films shooting their Siyakholwa production.
“Our studio was in constant use for short term productions,’ says Werner Uys. “We had some commercials, some web video productions for 2oceansvibe and many more productions for different media platforms.
“That’s what makes the Mediahive studio so viable – it’s easily adaptable to different productions and specific needs. We hope to have a similar year to last, with clients coming back and making use of our services again. Our aim is to constantly improve our offering and production experience.’
On track
Telemedia tends to look for long term clients such as Teletrack (horse racing channel on the DStv bouquet) says national sales manager Quentin Barkhuizen.
He continues: “We supply studio equipment as well as the studio itself. Telemedia also provides the control rooms; vision mixer, servers and custom set up for the client.
“Teletrack is set up for a one-man operation in terms of the video and audio switching and so on. They use two studios, one for their domestic channel and another for occasional magazine shows. One of the studios also has an audience gallery.’
Telemedia has other studios across the road from its head office comprising an HD studio and two SD studios geared at talking head / presentation productions. There are a total of eight final control centres (playout facilities) for various clients such as Charismatic churches, for example.
By Andy Stead
Screen Africa Magazine – 2012
