The Refinery reports a dramatic decline in projects originating on film. Digital cameras are shooting larger file sizes, so data management is becoming more of a priority going forward.
“High definition (HD) is the new standard,’ says The Refinery’s Tracey Williams. “Monitoring of HD with particular emphasis on commercials and feature films is becoming more critical and the artists and the systems they work on are becoming more multi-functional.
“Interestingly, we are doing more work than last year. We have seen a growth in our commercial base – a greater volume of jobs but with much smaller budgets. Since December the commercial industry has been very slow because many brands, producers and creatives have moved around.
“On the foreign feature service side, few jobs came to Johannesburg last year. The local film market has seen a growth in feature film production.’
Exciting jobs to have come through the facility include Ata Fireworks, Nandos, Omo Children, Manard’s Juicy kaboom, Standard Bank Trapeze, Young Leonardo 1 and 2. Refinery has also completed visual effects (VFX) for a UK television series for Kindle Entertainment and BBC.
“European producers definitely prefer to work in Cape Town,’ notes Williams. “They seem to find it attractive. Johannesburg does however benefit from work from elsewhere in Africa.’
She believes there will always be a place for both large and boutiques facilities. “Larger local facilities like The Refinery offer a range of creative talents that can cater to individual clients’ needs.
“On the retail side, larger facilities can be more competitive and flexible because of the range of facilities they offer and their ability to turn these projects around. The industry has been constantly battling the “sustainable’ fight as it is forever changing and evolving,’ says Williams.
By Andy Stead
Screen Africa magazine – May 2012
