South African funny man, actor and movie producer, Leon Schuster (Mr. Bones) has secured a deal with the Walt Disney Company. The Hollywood company has agreed to partly finance his new venture that is still unnamed and was apparently inspired by a Jamie Uys movie.
Disney has indicated, through its publicity company in South Africa, that the support for Schuster is a firm indication of its commitment to the local entertainment industry.
The movie will have the full support of Disney's marketing and distribution infrastructure.
Disney has not guaranteed sales of the movie in overseas markets but has given the assurance that it will work hard to secure various international deals once the movie is completed.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Blitz Patrollie a South African buddy cop movie
Famous South African comedian Kagiso Lediga has written a buddy cop comedy set in Johannesburg. The film, produced by Diprente Films and directed by Andrew Wessels started shooting in Johannesburg on Friday 09th of September 2011.
The film chronicles the adventures of Rummy Augustine (Joey Rasdien) and his partner, Ace Dikolobe (David Kau), police officers who have had the misfortune of being stationed in a little known depot in the belly of the Johannesburg CBD. Rummy is bogged down with trying to start a family and an overbearing mother-in-law who just won't move out. The overzealous Ace, on the other hand, can think of nothing better to do in the morning than to put on his "lucky" bulletproof vest and head out to kick some bad guy ass.
The script was conceived out of the writer's passion for stories that resonate with a young and vibrant South Africa with a penchant for comedy - an audience Lediga is familiar with both on stage and on the small screen.
Blitz Patrollie pays homage to Johannesburg, an African economic and cultural giant, and is shot on location in the lush Northern Suburbs, the gritty streets of the CBD, the familiar township landscape and everywhere in between. The city and its many contradictions are at the very core of the film’s narrative.
Blitz Patrollie is the first feature film to come out of Diprente Films. The producers are excited about the quality of talent both in front of and behind the camera and envision that the film will be an impressive and memorable contribution to the growing South African film landscape.
The movie will be distributed by the National Film and Video Foundation and is scheduled for release in South Africa in 2012.
The film chronicles the adventures of Rummy Augustine (Joey Rasdien) and his partner, Ace Dikolobe (David Kau), police officers who have had the misfortune of being stationed in a little known depot in the belly of the Johannesburg CBD. Rummy is bogged down with trying to start a family and an overbearing mother-in-law who just won't move out. The overzealous Ace, on the other hand, can think of nothing better to do in the morning than to put on his "lucky" bulletproof vest and head out to kick some bad guy ass.
The script was conceived out of the writer's passion for stories that resonate with a young and vibrant South Africa with a penchant for comedy - an audience Lediga is familiar with both on stage and on the small screen.
Blitz Patrollie pays homage to Johannesburg, an African economic and cultural giant, and is shot on location in the lush Northern Suburbs, the gritty streets of the CBD, the familiar township landscape and everywhere in between. The city and its many contradictions are at the very core of the film’s narrative.
Blitz Patrollie is the first feature film to come out of Diprente Films. The producers are excited about the quality of talent both in front of and behind the camera and envision that the film will be an impressive and memorable contribution to the growing South African film landscape.
The movie will be distributed by the National Film and Video Foundation and is scheduled for release in South Africa in 2012.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Kenyan criminal's bestseller made into blockbuster
Kenyadian Productions a Kenya/Canada production company has confirmed that they have begun penning a screenplay adaptation of Kenyan author John Kirimati’s bestselling novels- My Life In Crime, My life With A Criminal and My Life in Prison. The production company, which was in talks with East Africa Publishers for 2 years for the film rights, recently secured the film rights for 7 years.
My Life In Crime (working title) is slated to begin filming at the end of 2011 with the release due in 2012. “We are still not sure of the title of the movie yet,” said Neil Schell Director and producer of the film. “We thought we would use the most popular book’s title- My Life In Crime, because it easily translates to Kenyans and it also gives anyone unfamiliar with the books a clue as to what the film is about.”
The treatment for My Life in Crime, which will combine all three books, has recently been completed. “I was very particular about how the story was to be laid out which is what is done during the treatment stage,” said Schell. “There are so many story events in the three books that one has to decide what to leave in and what to leave out and then appropriately build the story so that the audience enjoys the movie the entire way.”
Schell explained that they have commissioned gifted Kenyan writer Serah Mwihaki to pen the screenplay adaptation of the book based on her quality. “We decided to go with Serah after many interviews with many writers here in Kenya,” Schell stated. “Out of all the applications Serah’s work was the most exciting and interesting. She captured the essence of the story and that is crucial.”
As the title suggests the My Life In Crime book series is an autobiographical tale of John Kiriamiti a Kenyan criminal who featured on the country’s most wanted list in the 1960s and 1970s. In the books Kiriamiti re-counts how he got into the life of criminality as a petty thief, his rise into the Kenyan most wanted list and his subsequent incarceration. It was during his stay in prison that Kiriamiti wrote My Life in Crime, the first book in the series. The book has since been chronicled as Kenya’s best‐selling novel of the early 1980s.
Schell, who has appeared in films such as A-Team, Watchmen, Dr. Dolittle and directed several TV series’, stated that the film will be a period piece. “My Life In Crime will be true to the time period- Kenya in the late 60’s through to the mid 80’s,” he said. “The film will be gritty, hard and be filled with all the action a highly sought after gangster can muster up.”
My Life In Crime (working title) is slated to begin filming at the end of 2011 with the release due in 2012. “We are still not sure of the title of the movie yet,” said Neil Schell Director and producer of the film. “We thought we would use the most popular book’s title- My Life In Crime, because it easily translates to Kenyans and it also gives anyone unfamiliar with the books a clue as to what the film is about.”
The treatment for My Life in Crime, which will combine all three books, has recently been completed. “I was very particular about how the story was to be laid out which is what is done during the treatment stage,” said Schell. “There are so many story events in the three books that one has to decide what to leave in and what to leave out and then appropriately build the story so that the audience enjoys the movie the entire way.”
Schell explained that they have commissioned gifted Kenyan writer Serah Mwihaki to pen the screenplay adaptation of the book based on her quality. “We decided to go with Serah after many interviews with many writers here in Kenya,” Schell stated. “Out of all the applications Serah’s work was the most exciting and interesting. She captured the essence of the story and that is crucial.”
As the title suggests the My Life In Crime book series is an autobiographical tale of John Kiriamiti a Kenyan criminal who featured on the country’s most wanted list in the 1960s and 1970s. In the books Kiriamiti re-counts how he got into the life of criminality as a petty thief, his rise into the Kenyan most wanted list and his subsequent incarceration. It was during his stay in prison that Kiriamiti wrote My Life in Crime, the first book in the series. The book has since been chronicled as Kenya’s best‐selling novel of the early 1980s.
Schell, who has appeared in films such as A-Team, Watchmen, Dr. Dolittle and directed several TV series’, stated that the film will be a period piece. “My Life In Crime will be true to the time period- Kenya in the late 60’s through to the mid 80’s,” he said. “The film will be gritty, hard and be filled with all the action a highly sought after gangster can muster up.”
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Impressive Numbers in SA Cinema
I have been doing a bit of reading and have discovered some have interesting figures in the realm of Cinema in Africa specifically South Africa. Apparently the South African film industry is currently worth an estimated R2.65 Billion in the Western Cape alone. The Gauteng province follows in second place with an estimated value of an impressive R1.1 billion with Kwazulu Natal commanding a strong R236 million cinema value.
By 20 14 it is envisioned that south Africa will be one of the leading producers of film and TV content from Africa and middle east. This growth has been attributed to the SA government thru their department of Trade and Industry (DTI). DTI has actively invested in this sector to create the necessary conducive environment for growth.
More African governments should take a page out of South Africa’s book and invest heavily in the cinema sector.
By 20 14 it is envisioned that south Africa will be one of the leading producers of film and TV content from Africa and middle east. This growth has been attributed to the SA government thru their department of Trade and Industry (DTI). DTI has actively invested in this sector to create the necessary conducive environment for growth.
More African governments should take a page out of South Africa’s book and invest heavily in the cinema sector.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Mediatech Africa will be showcasing the latest filmmaking technology
There is no denying that in that past the business of making motion pictures was exclusively for the rich and famous. However, major advancements in the field of technology have resulted in the affordability of recording equipment. This development has led to a massive boost in the number of movies coming out of Africa. Nowadays any ‘Simba, Jamal and Hakeem’ can now grab a camcorder and shoot a film of some sort.
Because of this directly proportional relationship between media technological advancements and the number of films produced I have come to appreciate important trends in media technology. MEDIATECH AFRICA, the continent ‘s largest advanced media technology trade exhibition, is a perfect stop to see all the latest film recording gadgets and trends in film production. Following the success of the previous years, the biennial trade exhibition, will again showcase cutting edge technologies and services from industry leaders in:
• Broadcast, Film, Production & Post Production
• Pro AV, Sound, Lighting, Staging and Rigging
• AV & Broadcast System Integration
• Animation, New Media, Mobile & On-line
• Satellite and Signal
• Musical Instruments & DJ Equipment
• Computer Music and Production Tools
Filmmakers in the continent should diarise July 20, 2011 because the Screen Africa Technology and Production will taking place at this year’s Mediatech Africa trade exhibition. Among the topics that will be discussed is ‘3D PRODUCTION FLOW’.
This is a practical workshop which demonstrates to delegates what it takes to shoot 3D in the field. The workshop will bring delegates up to speed on the latest 3D techniques and the possible future of 3D. The critical variables and pitfalls of shooting 3D will be discussed. The workshop is pitched at an introductory level.
Friday, June 24, 2011
African Cinemas on wheels
MobiCINE is basically cinema on motor cycles. It operates in a safe and easy manner. Each MobiCINE carried on a motor cycle in a ‘black box’ (a flight-case lodging a 1.300 lumens beamer plus a laptop). Also included in the Mobile cinema set are self-amplified loudspeakers, a 2,40m screen and a power generator plus 50 buckets used as theatre seats.
The film files that are loaded on the laptop are encrypted, and can be unlocked only by a digital ‘token’, which is prepaid by the exhibitor. Allcables and plugs of the PC and beamer are sealed, so as to prevent any unauthorized show.
Since Monday, May 9, 2011 seven mobiCINE units have cruised on the roads in Dakar with seven more to go in Bamako in June. This new development is a path breaking screening system in Africa. It is certainly offering a new way of watching films in places where all legal movie theatres have shut down.
The project has received funding from ACP Films, the Jan Vrijman Fund, and the French embassies in Dakar and Bamako.Organizers say the initiative is giving African filmmakers a chance to reach local audiences and develop a legitimate B.O. model they now lack.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Man On Ground
The scourge of African on African violence is a stupidity this continent knows too well.The South African xenophobic attacks of 2008, which resulted in the death of over 60 people, made headlines the world over. This unfortunate slaughter of foreign nationals was the inspiration of Akin Omotoso’s (2007 Standard Bank Young Artist Of The Year For Film Directing) follow up film Man on Ground. The feature film, which is produced by T.O.M Pictures, 1 Take Media and Rosie Motene Productions, explores the complex themes of xenophobia, identity, fear and reconciliation.
“The xenophobia attacks generated profound national and continental shock and soul searching,” says Akin Omotoso Man On Ground’s Director, Writer and Producer. “This film is part of this continual soul searching and it is also a strong appeal for healing to ensure that such killings do not happen again.”
The feature film is about Ade, a Nigerian-British doctor based in the UK who visits South Africa to see his estranged half-brother Femi. Upon his arrival in South Africa, Ade discovers his brother has been missing for a week. With the help of Femi’s fiancée, Zodwa, Ade investigates his brother’s disappearance. It is soon realised that Femi’s disappearance coincides with a recent period of xenophobic violence. As the truth starts to emerge Ade discovers that Femi is dead but no one can account for the body. The search for the body leads Ade to the discovery of the horrific truth about his brother’s death.
Man on Ground, a self and crowd funded feature film, is being produced on an undefined meagre budget. “It’s difficult to put a figure on our budget because we are relying on the generosity of Crowd Funding,” said Rosie Motene one of the producers of the film. “We will have to keep appealing for donations until the project is completed.”
Motene is very positive about Crowd Funding and hopes to raise enough funds to complete the project. “This form of funding works especially for films with a social message. It has been working for years in Europe and the US,” she stated. “We are appealing to individuals and companies to contribute anything from R1 000 and in return they will get an associate producer credit or product placement opportunities.”
Crowd Funding has become very popular in the South African film industry in recent time with many directors opting for this kind funding to finance their productions. “We believe that rather than always waiting for external funding for making art on this continent, we can draw on our collective resources and networks to make films and art works that will both entertain and educate our people,” said Omotoso.
Man On Ground stars Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), Fana Mokoena (Yizo Yizo, Generations, The Lab), Fabian Olojode (Jacob’s Cross) and Bubu Mazibuko (Gaz’lam, Catch A Fire). The film, which has completed principal photography, is hoping to create a buzz at the local and International film festival circuit, starting with a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and the Dubai Film Festival.
“The xenophobia attacks generated profound national and continental shock and soul searching,” says Akin Omotoso Man On Ground’s Director, Writer and Producer. “This film is part of this continual soul searching and it is also a strong appeal for healing to ensure that such killings do not happen again.”
The feature film is about Ade, a Nigerian-British doctor based in the UK who visits South Africa to see his estranged half-brother Femi. Upon his arrival in South Africa, Ade discovers his brother has been missing for a week. With the help of Femi’s fiancée, Zodwa, Ade investigates his brother’s disappearance. It is soon realised that Femi’s disappearance coincides with a recent period of xenophobic violence. As the truth starts to emerge Ade discovers that Femi is dead but no one can account for the body. The search for the body leads Ade to the discovery of the horrific truth about his brother’s death.
Man on Ground, a self and crowd funded feature film, is being produced on an undefined meagre budget. “It’s difficult to put a figure on our budget because we are relying on the generosity of Crowd Funding,” said Rosie Motene one of the producers of the film. “We will have to keep appealing for donations until the project is completed.”
Motene is very positive about Crowd Funding and hopes to raise enough funds to complete the project. “This form of funding works especially for films with a social message. It has been working for years in Europe and the US,” she stated. “We are appealing to individuals and companies to contribute anything from R1 000 and in return they will get an associate producer credit or product placement opportunities.”
Crowd Funding has become very popular in the South African film industry in recent time with many directors opting for this kind funding to finance their productions. “We believe that rather than always waiting for external funding for making art on this continent, we can draw on our collective resources and networks to make films and art works that will both entertain and educate our people,” said Omotoso.
Man On Ground stars Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), Fana Mokoena (Yizo Yizo, Generations, The Lab), Fabian Olojode (Jacob’s Cross) and Bubu Mazibuko (Gaz’lam, Catch A Fire). The film, which has completed principal photography, is hoping to create a buzz at the local and International film festival circuit, starting with a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and the Dubai Film Festival.
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