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Cera-Jane Catton

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Cera-Jane Catton is a writer and journalist with years of experience in community newspapers, blogging and freelance journalism. She has worked in a cache of capacities, often finding herself behind or in front of the cameras, intentionally and less so. She has been a stunt double in two Bollywood movies, has worked in various capacities on a number of natural history documentaries, and other international productions shot in South Africa. Cera is a former Screen Africa journalist.

tv2u preview at IBC 2016

Cera-Jane Catton
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At IBC 2016, held in Amsterdam between 9 and 13 September, tv2u will launch new services. tv2u is a pioneer of innovative technologies and business concepts, empowering customers to increase profitability by generating global revenue through cost-effective cloud-based interactive OTT/IPTV managed OPEX services, or as a physically deployed solution at the operator’s facility.

tv2u is able to deliver any content (video, audio and data) over any network (internet, television, radio, satellite broadcasters), to any device (phone, tablet, television, pc, laptop, gaming consoles). This disruptive technology enables broadcast providers and consumers of all categories (i.e. free to air, cable, online, corporate and individual) to maximise the quality of delivery, regardless of network capacity or device.

Using the tv2u approach, prospective operators can enter the market with a radically different OPEX based business case that allows them to mitigate a great deal of operational risk offering a different price point to conventional triple-play service providers.

At IBC 2016 tv2u is launching new services including:

• Content Aggregation: tv2u is now providing a wide range of content from Hollywood to Bollywood and Karaoke to one-line games, offering a bespoke entertainment package.

• Real-time Analytics: tv2u offers unique real-time viewership analytics to enable businesses to send highly targeted advertising to end-users to maximise their revenue streams.

• Connected Smart Homes: Previewing the merging of New Media, Connected Homes and Internet of Things.

At IBC 2016 tv2u is also highlighting:

• Intelligent Video Accessible Network (IVAN) OTT platform: tv2u’s ground breaking Intelligent Video Accessible Network (IVAN) is the enabler for content monetisation to multiple consumption devices with features including: on-the-fly repackaging, real-time analytics and targeted advertising by device, location or individual consumer.

The Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Film Award

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The board of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation launched the first annual Emerson’s Film Award for the best film produced by Zanzibari filmmakers to be presented at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2016.

The mission of the Award is to recognise the unique and significant nature of the emerging local film talent on the island of Zanzibar. Thus the Award aims to inspire talented film makers in the archipelago, and encouraging them to celebrate their culture, history and stories about Zanzibar.

The Foundation jury will be assessing films made locally and presenting the award of $1000, which will be presented at the ZIFF Awards Ceremony at the Old Fort on 16 July. It is hoped that the award will also help promote talented Zanzibari film makers and support them in their career in the future.

The Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Award is an important part of the sustained legacy, created on behalf of the great Emerson Dewey Skeens, by the esteemed board of the Foundation.

In honour of this inaugural event The Foundation announced the unique opportunity to publish the life, times and poems of Mzee Haji Gora, the octogenarian Zanzibari poet laureate. The book was written by Ally Saleh, a renowned Zanzibari journalist.
For more information visit the ZIFF website.

Funny Or Die short film competition

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Powered by Samsung Mobile and in partnership with the award-winning comedy brand Funny Or Die, virtual reality technology will meet digital content live for the first time ever in South Africa this coming September, transforming the way you see, consume and distribute content through powerful technology tools. All aspiring creatives and scriptwriter virtuosos’ are invited to partake in the ground-breaking sessions that will tackle new levels of content transformation, propelling SA into a new era of digital content creation and ingenuity.

The first of its kind roadshow will be taking place in Johannesburg on 27 September and in Cape Town on 29 September 2016. Tickets will be available for R650 from 15 July 2016 at 14h00 at Ticket Pro.

Hosted by respected SA technology expert, Toby Shapshak, this social and digital sensorial extravaganza will include the following guests: head of Social Media Content at Funny Or Die, Dashiell Driscoll; Chris Heuer, president of Digital Content at Funny or Die; head of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics SA, Craige Fleischer; and more.

Samsung recently launched their virtual reality technology. “Collaborating with the titans at Funny Or Die was a natural fit for us at Samsung as they are shaping the world of immersive and engaging digital content. This roadshow is the superlative platform to showcase how technology meets content in the digital era and we are eager to give SA an opportunity to be part of this incredible movement,’ says Fleischer, director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung.

Co-founded by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, Funny Or Die launched in April 2007 and has grown into a premier comedy brand and production studio known for creating award-winning, high-quality content with a global audience of more than 70 million. Seasoned creative executives from the Funny Or Die will be launching, elevating and inspiring South African creatives and aspiring film makers to become part of this incredible techno-content initiative. President of Digital Content at Funny Or Die, Chris Heuer, is looking forward to coming to SA to present to some of the country’s top creatives, “This platform will open up a world of digital technology and entertainment in South Africa, launching the careers of some of the top international up and coming film makers and entertainment specialists.’

Funny Or Die, Capacity Relations and Samsung will be giving SA scriptwriters, videographers, vloggers and creatives the opportunity to have their work recognised and seen by more than 100 million on Funny or Die as well as R50 000.

Competition details:

To be eligible to enter the Funny Or Die Short Film competition, 360 Degrees of Funny, entrants must create a short form storyboard that is under three minutes in length with no more than four characters and using only three locations. The script must be between three and five pages long and must be submitted to 360offunny@capacityrelations.co.za.

The first phase of the competition will run from 15 July and close on 15 August 2016.

The top six finalists, chosen by the panel at Funny Or Die, will be announced by Capacity Relations on 1 September 2016. Each finalist will then be given a Samsung product to make use of during the second phase of the competition.

With specialised training from Samsung consultants, each finalist will make use of their Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge smartphone, Gear VR technology device as well as a 360 degree camera to shoot a short film. This phase of the competition will run from 12 July to 15 August 2016 and the final winner will be announced at an official ceremony in Johannesburg on 27 September.

The winner will be awarded a prize of R50 000 as well as the opportunity to have their video shown to over 100 million people of the Funny or Die website and social media platforms.

First 4DX cinema in Gauteng to launch this September

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Nu Metro Cinemas has confirmed that Gauteng’s first 4DX cinema will open its doors to the public at the newly revamped Nu Metro Hyde Park in September 2016. This news follows the overwhelming success of Africa’s first ever 4DX cinemas at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront (Cape Town) and The Pavilion (Durban). Strong public demand will now be answered with the launch of this one-of-a-kind, multi-dimensional cinema experience in Johannesburg.

Nu Metro Cinemas signed an agreement with CJ 4DPLEX, creator of 4DX, last year – a partnership that for the first time brings 4DX to African cinemas. 4DX, which uses motion, vibration, water, wind, lightning, scents, and more to provide moviegoers with a truly immersive movie experience, has been expanding at a fast pace globally.

“An extensive upgrade and renovation process is currently underway at our Hyde Park cineplex. This much-anticipated overhaul will bring the cinemas at this prestigious Johannesburg location in line with our top-end offering at the acclaimed, upper-class Hyde Park Corner shopping centre. Apart from adding multiple Scene VIP cinemas and lounges – South Africa’s first ever Scene VIP cineplex – all cinemas’ equipment will be upgraded to the latest world-class sound, projection and screen technology. Luxurious recliner seating, newly styled interior decor, carpeted flooring and refreshed space design also form part of the plans for Nu Metro Hyde Park. The cinemas and lounges will be licensed, along with a la carte food menus and all the other premium Scene VIP offerings. And, now, 4DX has also been added to the mix,’ explains Nu Metro Cinemas GM, Nitesh Matai.

Nu Metro’s head of technical was sent to Seoul for three weeks last year to specifically train for certified status to manage the installation of 4DX technology locally. A current cinema at Nu Metro Hyde Park is being converted to 4DX. The introduction of 4DX at Nu Metro Hyde Park forms part of the overall renovation project in process at this cinema complex.

For more information visit the Nu Metro website.

For more information visit the CJ 4DPLEX website.

The Rohan Vos Story receives recognition award at HIIDA

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My Life on the Tracks – the Rohan Vos Story received a Recognition Award at the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards (HIIDA) in Los Angeles on 30 June 2016.

HIIDA is an exclusive film festival for documentaries whose goal is to promote and recognise documentary filmmakers from around the world.

My Life on the Tracks – the Rohan Vos Story received the nomination against more than 100 other entrants from around the world.

Filmmaker Deon van Zyl and a representative from the North West Film commission will be flying to Los Angeles to receive the award at a screening held on 10 September 2016 at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

The documentary is based on the golden era of steam train travel, when Rohan Vos started Rovos Rail with only four passengers on the first trip. Today Rovos Rail is hailed the most luxurious train in the world, travelling to some of the most exotic destinations in Africa.

In My Life on the Tracks – the Rohan Vos Story, Rohan Vos, who grew up in Delareyville in the North West Province, tells his remarkable story in his own words, sharing some intimate and personal details about his life in vivid detail, some of which has never been told before.

Intimate interviews with family and employees add authenticity to this timeless piece of African rail history.

Watch the trailer here:

TRAILER | My Life on the Tracks – The Rohan Vos Story from Deon van Zyl on Vimeo.

ZIFF 2016 opens with Kalushi

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The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2016 kicked off on 9 July at the Old Fort Ampitheatre in Stone Town with ZIFF’s chief guest Kanul Kapur; ZIFF chairman Mahmoud Kombo; guest of honour minister of Information, Culture, Tourism and Sports Juma Rashidi; as well as South African filmmaker Mandla Dube in attendance.

After the symbolic raising of the Dhow sail that officially opened the festival, the opening night film Kalushi was introduced by festival director Martin Mhando, film director Dube and the films score composer Rashid Lanie. Kalushi is a South African film that tells the story of apartheid hero and activist Solomon Mahlangu. The venue under the Zanzibar stars was filled to capacity and the audience was enrapt with the film.

Guests spoke about the uniqueness of ZIFF and Zanzibar as a location for what has become East Africa’s largest festival of its kind. Along with the screening there was a range of local entertainment including the Miss Tourism Fashion show, Maha Artista, Kilua Ngoma, and Baby J. The evening continued well into the night with live performances at the Mambo Club.

The event, supported by Zanlink, was also broadcast live across multiple TV channels including Azam TV and ZBC TV.

Earlier in the evening the festival had its corporate launch at the Park Hyatt Hotel that was attended by all of ZIFF’s corporate sponsors and also chief guest, the minister of Education Rizidi Juma Pembe

The following day Dube and Lanie attended a press conference where, on what would have been Solomon Mahlangu’s birthday, they spoke about the resonance of his story for today’s South African youth. Dube also detailed the eight year journey that it has taken to make the film, starting from an exhibition and stage production. Dube explained that Mahlangu’s story continues to be relevant to those in South Africa and across the globe.

The film will be screened again at ZIFF along with a number of other South African films including Davison Mudzwinga’s Lost Tongue and Jarryd Coetzee’s The Suit.

The festival runs through to Sunday 17 July with a full schedule of film screenings, exhibitions and performances.

For more information visit the ZIFF website.

Accounting for film productions workshop by Destiny Media, Moneypenny and Film Finances

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With the growth in the film and television industry the shortage of film and television production accountants has been highlighted. To meet the need for more production accountants, Destiny Media Africa has partnered with Moneypenny and Film Finances to host a series of workshops for aspiring production accountants.

Production accountants perform a critical role in any production, ensuring budgetary discipline, managing payrolls and providing critical audit reports. “Time is money and it’s important to know at any one time where your production stands financially. Your production accountant can help you do that,’ says Jane Fry, at Film Finances.

A film production like any other business is dependent on the accurate and effective management of the production budget. Having systems and software to track expenditure is especially critical when it comes to tax incentive claims. As Shamila Phillips MD of Moneypenny South Africa says, “Workshops of this nature create a mindset and an Industry Standard that with efficient accounting systems and software can be the answer to producers to effectively manage and control their budgets which inevitably assists with the smooth running of the production.’

“We are excited about partnering with the expertise of Moneypenny and Film Finances as our passion is to create platforms that allow the effective transfer of skills and experience to ensure the growth and development of South Africa and Africa as a whole,’ says Andre Pietersen, Destiny Media Africa.

The workshops will take place in Durban and Johannesburg in August.

Workshop:

Understand the fundamentals of managing production budgets and acquire the knowledge and skills to be a production accountant.

Who should attend?
• Anyone who wants a better understanding of managing production finances from pre-production to production to post-production audits
• Anyone who wants to work as a film accountant
• Producers, Line Producers or anyone who want to strengthen their abilities to manage costs of a larger film production.
• Accountants who want to include production accounting as part of their services
• Accountants who need to audit the books and records of a film or television production have found this very practical grass-roots training invaluable.
• Experience or education. If you have some basic skills in Excel and Word software as well as numeracy you qualify.

Dates:

Durban – 9 and 10 August 2016 from 9h00 to 16h00
Joburg – 11 and 12 August 2016 from 9h00 to 16h00

Contact:
For enquiries email keabetswe@destinymediaafrica.com or call (011) 050 1312.

For online bookings click here.

Argosy steps beyond cable at IBC 2016

Cera-Jane Catton
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Argosy, international supplier of HD broadcast cables and studio infrastructure products, will be joining this year’s IBC exhibition, taking place in Amsterdam between 9 and 13 September 2016. Argosy will attend the show with a broad portfolio that demonstrates its transformation from a “passive technology’ infrastructure vendor to a fully-fledged infrastructure provider to both manufacturers and broadcasters.

To support broadcast engineers dealing with pressing industry trends such as IP convergence, Argosy plans to showcase a range of racks, mains distribution units, patch panels, KVM solutions, fibre and Ensemble Design active video gear with a focus on “intelligent’ technology.

In particular, “intelligent’ mains distribution units (MDUs) and KVM switches which enable engineers to centrally monitor and control equipment and make facilities more flexible and responsive, easier to maintain and above all, more energy efficient.
Argosy’s recent integration into the successful Broadcast and Communications Division of IEWC has seen the company step beyond the provision fixed installation video distribution products. Argosy is now active, not only across the broadcast market, but also within adjacent vertical markets such as proAV.

“In order to offer a more comprehensive range, we’re adding more active devices and pre-tested product bundles by working with partners such as Blackmagic, Datavideo, Teradek and Panasonic,’ explained Chris Smeeton, business unit director at Argosy.

“Overall, we are modernising our activities by providing new services and support that SIs and broadcasters need,’ concluded Smeeton. “It may not be the most glamorous aspect of broadcast, but it’s mission critical and Argosy’s new found agility will ensure that we remain a key player in that field as the broadcast industry evolves.’

For more information visit the Argosy website.

ZIFF 2016 presents Festival of Festivals

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ZIFF 2016 will begin with a host of film screenings, workshops, exhibitions, performances and more. From 9 to 17 July across Stone Town ZIFF will celebrate films from around the world. As part of these celebrations every year, ZIFF presents the Festival of Festivals where they invite festivals, film schools or media organisations from around the world to curate a three-hour package of films that best describe who they are to show at the festival. After the showing each organisation then presents a 45 minutes talk to the audience and the press about themselves and the films that were screened.

This year ZIFF welcomes Valletta Film Festival that will be organising an event that would bring together small-nations to discuss their film industries. The plan is to make this an annual event that will be open to the film professionals of countries with a population under three million.

The Zhejiang Normal University will be presenting a short discussion about the New Chinese Cinema focusing on training and opportunities in China and its focus on Africa. The presentation will be made by Dr Zhang Yong who has established a China-Africa Film Forum, and they are now planning on their second Forum Conference for this year.

The Zayed University of Abu Dhabi will make a presentation of their most recent short films produced by students of their prestigious film school in AbuDhabi.

The UNO office in Zanzibar will present a number of films about their activities in Tanzania highlighting the 70 year history of the world organisation.

Additionally there is a programme from the Film and Publications Board of South Africa and the Iran Cultural Centre, Dar es Salaam.

Festival of Festivals programme 2016 at Africa House:

Monday 11 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
China: The Center for African Film and TV Studies of Zhejiang Normal University
FESPACO (Burkina Faso)

Tuesday 12 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
Valletta Film Festival
The Islanders (Cinema of Small countries –Malta)
Socotra the Island of Djinns by Marcela Lizcano
Isolated by Jordi Esteva

Wednesday 13 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
The UNO

Thursday 14 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
Zayed University – Abu Dhabi– ZUMEFF

Friday 15 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
Iran Cultural Centre – Dar es Salaam

Saturday 16 July, 2016:
14h00 – 17h00
SAFPB

For more information visit the ZIFF website.

Top Chef launches in SA

Cera-Jane Catton
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SABC 3 has launched Top Chef South Africa, a local version of the successful American reality TV series, Top Chef. The show is scheduled to start on SABC 3 on Tuesday, 12 July 2016 at 20h00, and will see well established ‘cheftestants’ from around the country compete in various culinary challenges. The launch event, on 5 July, brought together foodies and celebs at the Top Chef Studio in Randburg.

Top Chef South Africa, produced by Urban Brew Studios, will follow the same international format as the original show complete with Quickfire Challenges, Elimination Challenges and the Judges’ Table. In each episode one or more contestants are sent home by the judges.

Head judge on Top Chef SA will be Neill Anthony, TV personality and gastronomic guru who has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Alyn Williams. His extensive food knowledge and cooking skills make him hot property in the kitchen. Also sitting at the Judges’ Table is one of the country’s top chefs, Lesego Semenya who made the M&G’s Top 200 Young South Africans list last year. Not only is he a social media sensation, but he’s a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. He’s painfully honest when it comes to his culinary critiquing, an essential ingredients for a Top Chef judge.

Lorna Maseko will host the new series. Urban Brew CEO, Trish Taylor says, “This dynamic presenter of Top Billing fame was absolutely the obvious choice to present the show. Her love for food, her refined palate, and her effortless elegance made her a perfect fit for Top Chef SA.’

Aisha Mohamed, head of Bouquet at SABC 3 says “Top Chef South Africa is a first to market brand new offering to compliment SABC 3’s revised prime time schedule. The show provides a fast paced and very real look inside a professional kitchen and what it takes to be a top chef which is a strong compliment to the high production value of the show.’

Urban Brew Studios owns the Top Chef format rights in South Africa, having acquired them from NBCUniversal International. The Emmy award-winning series first aired on Bravo in the US in 2006 and now spans across numerous territories.

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