December 1, 2003
By Lucky Sindane
IF you're interested in filmmaking or script writing but you've no funds to study further, maybe Johannesburg's Monash University is the one place you need to check out.
The university is offering 40 places, free of charge, to budding film-makers to take part in a one-year audiovisual production programme, the equivalent of a NQF 5 (a nationally recognised tertiary level qualification), set to begin in February next year.
"This groundbreaking venture will bring a wider array of people into the industry," according to a media statement, "and will go along way to contributing to the future of film-making in South Africa, from the perspective of different people from different backgrounds."
Students will get the opportunity to learn their craft from the best in the business, with several top Australians presenting lectures alongside respected South African film industry professionals.
The course, run in conjunction with Create SA, is set to start in mid-February and will cover scriptwriting, research, cinematography and design, art design, production management and producing, directing actors, editing, music for film and TV, production accounting and short video production.
Lecturers will include the likes of scriptwriter Linda Aronson, Jane Corden of Moneypenny Financial Services who will talk on production accounting, and Terry Jennings, formerly of the Australian Film Finance Commission, who will teach business skills.
Corden has worked on projects like The Quiet American, while Aronson is described, by the university's project manager for film and TV short courses, Nikki Tilley, as "a brilliant scriptwriter who has taught in many universities around the world and is well known for teaching people how to save time while writing".
In addition to the formal training, students will also get the opportunity to put their skills into practise. "The programme will include a three-month placement with production companies and relevant industry businesses. Learners will also get a chance to make a short film," Tilley said.
Monash South Africa is one of the major institutions providing training for the film and television industry and its film unit is currently designing courses for Botswana TV, DSTV, M-Net, Multichoice and SABC. Its courses are supported by the industry, including Create SA, the National Film and Video Foundation, the Commercials Producers Association, the Independent Producers Organisation, Sithengi and the South African Scriptwriters Association.
In addition to the one-year programme, the university also offers intermediate and advanced short courses for 120 students. These courses range between five and 10 days and offer specialised training in selected fields, Tilley said.
Monash South Africa, owned by Monash University in Australia, opened in 2001 and is situated in Ruimsig to the northwest of Johannesburg, some distance from the centre of the city. For this reason, the campus will provide transport to and from Auckland Park for the students.
Anyone interested in the yearlong programme can apply for application forms from the university from December. For more details contact Nikki Tilley at 011 950 4162 or log on to www.monash.co.za.
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