Free Marketing Workshops For Musicians in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg

Music Professionals invited to attend Marketing in the Arts Master Classes

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and Concerts SA, under the auspices of the SAMRO Foundation, present Marketing in the Arts Master Classes. The free two-day master classes for musicians, managers, promoters and music venue owners will be hosted in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town by Concerts SA and the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT). The aim is to provide participants with marketing and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. It will cover both theoretical and practical tools of marketing and give participants a broad overview of marketing in the arts with a focus on music as well as offer practical suggestions on advancing their careers, organisations, music venues or bands. Each class will include panel discussions with leading marketing practitioners in the music industry operating in the respective cities. “The master classes are intended to build on the successful marketing workshops presented in December 2013 and form part of a planned series of workshops by Concerts SA. We are pleased once again to partner with ACT in presenting them in the three main urban centres of South Africa. This skills-building initiative is an extension of Concerts SA’s work which broadly aims to support development of the live music sector. A key focus for the project is to create regular, sustainable live music performance platforms, and the proactive engagement of musicians and venues to build audiences is essential in this quest to build stable and active live music circuits,” says Nailla Dollie, Project Manager of Concerts SA. The master classes are part of the ACT Building Blocks Programme, which aims to increase the capacity and sustainability of South African arts and culture organisations, practitioners and artists. “Through the Building Blocks Programme, ACT contributes to and strengthens local organisations through cultural planning, technical assistance, master classes and other developmental efforts and we are pleased to once again partner with Concerts SA to contribute to the development and capacity building of the music industry," says Pieter Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of ACT. The master classes are free of charge and will take place on the following dates: Cape Town - Friday 19 September to Saturday 20 September Johannesburg – Friday 26 September to Saturday 27 September Durban – Friday 03 October to Saturday 04 October Participants will be required to attend both full days of the class, complete an assignment and will receive a certificate once all requirements have been met. Space is limited for each master class; interested and eligible practitioners are encouraged to submit their applications by no later than Thursday 14 August at 12:00. To apply, please click here For more information contact Karabo Legoabe on 011 712 8410 or send an e-mail to karabo@act.org.za.

Free Events In Durban from Saturday in line with UIA 2014 Durban

There are some free events happening in Durban all around the
big Architect's Conference.

Frameside Industrial Lounge (FIL)

plus a taste of

SanKofa Book & Design Fair Durban

Open Source Open City Open Season

‘SANKOFA Writing with the Future writing with the Past’

KwaMuhle Museum courtyard – 130 Bram Fischer Road (formerly Ordnance Road), Durban

FREE ENTRANCE

Sat 02 – Sat 09 August 2014

Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm * Sat: 10am – 12noon * Sun: closed

Parallel Projects endorsed by the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress Durban

Green Heart City Book & Design Boma

A meeting place for writers, illustrators, publishers, literary agents, booksellers, designers, architects and social entrepreneurs to network and exchange ideas trending on the literary and design landscape. KwaMuhle Museum will serve as the Nerve Centre for Boma activations. Key elements include The Frameside Lounge,Open House Durban Photo & Sketch Exhibition, Word Garden with TreeNotes, and Caravan of Wordswhere writers will craft stories on ‘Durban and Democracy’. The KidZone will feature Life Size Scrabble, storytelling and character role-plays from African folktales. The Freedom Word Mobile – Kunene Wagon will be stationed at the Book & Design Boma and promote an African Writers’ Museum.

*coffee chat ‘n chill @ the FIL*

 Open House Durban

An artetexture showcase of 20 Durban structures through the photographic lens and the sketch block – to promote the idea of creative economy. A competition will be launched to encourage UIA 2014 delegates and the public to take photos or make sketches of the selected buildings. Entries will be displayed in an Open House Durban Photo & Sketch Exhibition at the Book & Design Boma. Winners will be announced at a prize ceremony during UIA 2014.

20 Structures – Open House Durban 2014

1. City Hall Durban
2. Memorial Tower Building, UKZN Howard College Campus
3. Surrey Mansions
4. Diakonia Centre
5. Addington Children’s Hospital
6. Phansi Museum
7. KwaMuhle Museum
8. Mazisi Kunene Museum
9. Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World
10. The Playhouse Durban
11. Alliance Française de Durban
12. Royal Natal Yacht Club
13. uShaka Marine World
14. Moses Mabhida Stadium
15. Enterprise Building
16. Old Station Building
17. Emmanuel Cathedral and adjoining historical cemetery
18. The Bat Centre
19. Rossburgh Fire Station
20. Las Vegas apartment block, North Beach

Mobile Pop-Up Book Bench with Deaf Pavement Poets

‘Parks 4 Read’ is an ongoing initiative that is held in a park setting. BunnyKats, leprechauns, and Irish rag doll Bridie Beag exchange integrated tales to encourage a love for reading and drawing. This is achieved with the assistance of local writers and artists interacting with the public and sketching BunnyKats reading miniature classics on the BooK Bench. Hearing and Deaf Pavement Poets will write and perform poetry covering 20 years of democracy in South Africa and what it means.

Presented by Green Heart City Movement

Contact Mikhail Peppas, Sanabelle Ebrahim, Nomvula Sikakane

at sankofabookfair@gmail.com

www.sankofabookfair.tumblr.com

www.facebook.com/SankofaBookFairDurban

New Fashion Store Opens In Umhlanga & Review of Fashion Week

A new fashion store opens in Umhlanga on Thursday.  The owner Genna-Wae Webster has put a lot in to the launch and she even has Shannon Hope performing for the opening.  The good news is you are all invited. There will be loads of specials.

Opens at 6h30pm. 

Review of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town

Luxury vehicle brand Mercedes Benz and African Fashion International (AFI) they were on it once again to bring you the 2014 Cape Town Fashion Week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) .

The show took three-days, the festival granted top-notch South African designers, both legends of past and up-and-coming creative – a platform to unveil their 2014 spring/summer collections.

27 of the country's top designers presented collections in 15 shows over three days 

From firm fashion favourites to emerging artists, the shows featured everything from glamorous garments, ready-to-wear pieces, wedding couture and the latest developments in menswear. Apart from the established names in the business, the annual couture conference affords young designers the opportunity to dazzle audiences with their fresh ideas and share the runway with the elite crew of trendy exhibitors.

and it looks like it was a fashion week to remember,and all the fashion gurus that were going to show case were ready as ever, everyone was talking about it as it was the only thing trending on twitter,today is the last day of the event and everyone liked what they saw,as the fashionistas were showing us what's going to be on trend this coming spring. 

Ruald Rheeders show-everyone said the show was refreshing his collection had lots of pastels,polka dots,floral prints and the swim wear was to die for.

Split Milk-used lots of colors and patterns

Michelle Ludek - the show was painterly and graphics inspired.

Gavin Raja's show was full of japanese inspired and featherly ensemble. 
It looks like every designer gave it all and the function was a success

Review by Andiswa Mkhize
Fashion Writer
Find her on Twitter - @zimdola_84116

All the winners from Durban International Film Festival and ECR goes on Tour

All The Winners From The Durban International Film Festival 2014

The full list of awards is as follows:
BEST FEATURE FILM: Timbuktu by Abderrahmane Sissako

BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM: Salvation Army by Abdellah Taia

BEST DIRECTION: Noaz Deshe for White Shadow

BEST SCREENPLAY: Love is Strange written by Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sofian el Fani - Timbuktu

BEST ACTOR: Ibrahim Ahmed - Timbuktu & Tony Kgoroge - Cold Harbour

BEST ACTRESS: Chi Mhende - Love the One You Love

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD FOR ARTISTIC BRAVERY: Petter Brunner - My Blind Heart

BEST SA DOCUMENTARY: Miners Shot Down by Rehad Desai

Special Mention: Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me by Khalo Matabane

BEST DIRECTION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY: I, Afrikaner by Annalet Steenkamp

Special Mention: Fatherland by Tarryn Crossman

BEST DOCUMENTARY: A World Not Ours by Mahdi Fleifel

BEST SHORT FILM: Out of Place by Ozan Mermer

BEST SOUTH AFRICAN SHORT FILM: Keys, Money, Phone by Roger Young

www.durbanfilmfest.co.za 

The East Coast Radio Breakfast Tour Continues

PMB

Darren and the Kearsney boys.

Richards Bay

Comedy Evening with Darren Maule at the Waterfront 

Next Stops

28 July - Monday - Eshowe

29 July - Tuesday - Florida Road

Article by +Fred Felton 

Highlights from Workshops at The Durban International Film Festival 2014

Notes From Filmmakers Workshops At DIFF 2014

One of the many workshops at DIFF 2014

They had many workshops at the Festival and at Durban Film Mart (DFM) these were some of the highlights:

DFM Masterclass

• 'We are the stories we tell.' 
• 'What makes stories compelling?'
• 'Good stories deal with consequences.' 
• 'A hollywood film made in another country will be of lesser quality.' 
• 'The key element in a film is emotion.' 
• 'Emotion is closely related to conflict.' 
• 'A story begins when there is some elements of conflict.' 
• 'Something unusual must happen.' 
• 'Arthouse cinema does not mean boring.' 
• 'As a writer you can play around with options.' 
• 'You can get more mileage out of suspense as opposed to surprise.' 
• 'How much info are you going to give the audience?' 
• 'Find a sales agent before you go to a film festival, then when you get to the film festival you have a strategy. 

Co-Production - Germany

• If you have a German crew member you have a better chance to get German Co-Production Funding!
• Co-Production is a marriage.
• At a film festival you should network and build relationships and contacts.

Feedback from Provinces - Useful Links

• KZN Film Commission - http://www.kwazulunatalfilm.co.za
• Gauteng Film Commission - http://www.gautengfilm.org.za/
• WESGRO - http://wesgro.co.za/

Notes on Submitting Applications for Funding

• With how much care do you submit your proposal?
• The project description and the treatment are very important when you apply for funding.
• Try send in a trailer if you can.
• If people read your script can they imagine a film or see it as a film?

Useful places to look for funding for your movie or documentary

• IDC - http://www.idc.co.za/our-strategic-business-units/media-and-motion-pictures
• NFVF - http://nfvf.co.za/home/
• IDFA - www.idfa.nl/industry 
• World Cinema Fund - www.berlinale.de 
• Hubert Bals Fund - filmfestivalrotterdam.com/hubertbalsfund

Article and Image by +Fred Felton 

Videovision Entertainment to sponsor distribution prize at Durban FilmMart

Videovision Entertainment returns to the 2014 DFM

In this day and age South Africa is becoming a talented and well esteemed place for up and coming production companies, it is now South Africa’s time to shine.

Videovision Entertainment, South Africa’s premier film and Distribution Company is set to attend the Durban FilmMart, on the 18 – 21 July 2014 at the Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel in Durban, to present their esteemed R75 000 distribution prize to the Best South African Film Project.

Videovision Entertainment, headed by well-known producer Anant Singh, is a Durban based company which is celebrating 25 successful years in the film industry. Specializing in a variety of operations, Videovision Entertainment is renowned for their work in South Africa as a leading film and television production distributing to media, live entertainment and film studios.

With each passing year that flies by, the ties strengthen between Videovision Entertainment and DFM; Africa’s leading co-production and finance markets for filmmakers in Africa. This year not only marks the 5^th edition of the DFM, but it also commemorates this loyal four year partnership; “Our association with DFM aligns itself to our company’s vision of providing a platform for the South African film industry both locally and abroad,” says Videovision Entertainment’s Head of Communication and Media Nilesh Singh.

Attending the 2014 Durban FilmMart, is CEO Anant Singh, Director of distribution and acquisition Sanjeev Singh, Financial Manager Robert Naidoo, Head of Communications and Media Nilesh Singh and Editor Sigeshan Reddy.

Each year, Videovision Entertainment sponsor’s a prize known as the “Five Fingers for Marseilles” produced by Sean Drummond and Michael Matthews, who were last year’s recipients of the Videovision Entertainment distribution prize. This award will assist them in ensuring release and distribution throughout South Africa once the ‘Five Fingers’ film is completed early next year. Producer Michael Matthews will use the Videovision Entertainment prize money to develop top notch marketing material, including behind the scenes, featurettes, artwork and online social marketing.

What makes this year’s DFM special, Videovision Entertainment intends to sponsor the same opportunity to a film project with R75 000 worth of distribution assistance. “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Best South African Film Project. The objective of our sponsorship is to help nurture upcoming filmmakers and support them in having their films distributed in South Africa,” says Nilesh Singh.

“Partnerships are crucial to achieving DFM’s goals and objectives. The Videovision award presents these filmmakers with an incredible opportunity to break into the market place with the backing and support of one of South Africa’s longest running distribution companies. We are truly appreciative of Videovision’s consistent and generous support in promoting African cinema,” says Durban Film Office’s Toni Monty.

For more information on the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.co.za, to register for DFM visit the delegate registration desk at the Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel  from today until Monday 21 July at 08h00 to 16h00.

Article by +Lauren Immelman  

Free workshops for writers, producers and directors at Durban International Film Festival

Free Workshops For Writers, Producers and Directors At Durban International Film Festival

There are loads of free workshops for cast and crew and also free movies for you to see at The Elangeni Hotel, The Hub of the Durban International Film Festival 2014.

Here are some of the weekend highlights:

Saturday 19 July 2014

• African Initiatives - Suite 5 - 9am - Update from various organisations on film initiatives set to contribute to growth and development of African film.
• Tele-Dialogue - Suite 3 - 9am - An initiative created to outline and develop the television industry in KZN and Africa.
• The Films That Made Me - Suite 2 - 9h30 - Rear Window
• NFVF Engagement with the industry - Suite 5 - 10am - Hear about developments from the National Film and Video Foundation.
• The changing landscape of distribution in Africa - Suite 5 - 2pm - Opportunities for distribution in Africa.
• Writer's Tools: From Concept to Pitch - Suite 3 - 2pm - Join Janet van Eeden for an entry-level workshop looking at formats and conventions as well as pitching scripts. 
• Co-Production Lessons - Suite 5 - 3pm - Case studies from African producers in relation to co-production in and out of Africa.
• African Initiatives - Suite 5 - 4pm - Various organisations show film initiatives set to contribute to growth and development of African film.

Sunday 20 July

• Co-production Forum with Italy - Suite 5 - 2pm
• NFVF In Conversation - Suite 5 - 10am - Opportunities for locations and service industry.
• Updates from Provinces - Suite 5 - 2pm - Panel discussion from provincial state agencies involved in the development of film in SA.
• NFVF New Programmes - Suite 3 - 2pm - Upcoming programmes aimed at SA Filmmakers.
• Window to the World with Global Markets and Festivals - Suite 5 - 4pm - Opportunities for showcasing films at other film festivals.
• SAGE Industry Discussion - Suite 3 - 4pm - Discussion between SA editors around post production.

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