BEHIND THE SCENES

History

KWELA FILM ACADEMY is registered as an accredited B-BBEE charitable trust, that facilitates ‘on-set’ film skills transfer and mentorship to aspiring Black beneficiaries (learners) in the creative and technical disciplines of the film production process.

KWELA FILM ACADEMY offers valuable guidance and experience to learners who show aptitude and commitment to the arts and sciences of film production while filming with experienced crew on international quality feature film and television series productions.

The KWELA FILM ACADEMY training module offers selected learners practical ‘on the job’ film training that will inform, instruct and enable these learners to become more proficient and respected as filmmaker.

Leadership

Mark Engels

Founding Trustee

Veronica Van Der Riet

Independent Trustee

Marquerette Woods

Independent Trustee

Disciplines

SIGNUP

CLICK HERE

Next on-set film training will be in 2022 on MASINGA

only 15 post graduate ‘learners’ can be accommodate

application submission is not yet open for KZN learners

APPLICATIONS FOR KZN STUDENTS

OPENS MIDNIGHT: 26 NOVEMBER

CLOSES MIDNIGHT: 01 DECEMBER

VERONICA VAN DER RIET

I am a South African citizen, biological mother of three and foster mother of four. I entered adult life as a qualified teacher of remedial education. Subsequently as an HR Practitioner with 33 years of experience in Training and Human Resources with a qualification “TRAIN THE TRAINER” from the EDUSETA. With a deep commitment to Film and Photography, I have also engaged in location scouting, casting and production for many years. As such my passion to assist others to optimise their skills and encourage them to be best they can be has found me at the KWELA FILM ACADEMY as a valued Independent Trustee.

Marquerette Woods

"My name is Marquerette Woods and I am a Professional Accountant and Tax Practitioner registered with SAIPA. I have 30 years’ experience providing financial consulting services to individuals, small and medium sized enterprises .I have extensive experience in statuary compliance, management accounting , financial statements and tax planning and advise. I graduated from UNISA with a bachelor's degree in B.Compt. and have been in private practice since graduation

MARK ENGELS

Born in Kwa Zulu-Natal: Mark Engels' 40 year film career spans the disciplines of filmmaking in award winning directing, cinematography, producing & screenwriting.

His admiration of African culture and heritage has seen him produce direct music films for many South African legends: Philip Tabane, Caiphus Semenya, Vusi Mahlasela & Yvonne Chaka Chaka, as well as directing multi-camera television broadcast on Cape Town’s legendary Jazz Festival for a number of years, as well as for many prestigious international artists.

Mark’s career first rose to prominence with his film of Vicki Sampson: “My Afrikan Dream” which garnered a SAMA (South African Music Award). Subsequently he received the South African Society of Cinematography’s (SASC) “Visible Spectrum Award” (three times) for Jonathon Butler’s ”Exodus” - Burning Spears “Home to my Roots” & Joseph Hill’s “Live in Africa”.

An experienced, creative & insightful film professional, with a respectful personality, Mark understands the success of all commercial films will be found in the skillful combination of both the art and commerce of dramatic and dynamic storytelling!

Sound Assistant

Sound assistants are responsible for checking all tape stock, positioning microphones, changing batteries to ensuring that equipment runs smoothly in the sound department.

They often operate a telescopic “boom” pole with a microphone attached at the end to record actors dialogue. In this instance they are known as boom operators

Duties:

Sound assistants assist the sound recordist and provide general support to by unloading and setting up sound equipment and cables.
Maintenance is important so that the equipment does not break. The Assistant must locate and report any technical problems and may be asked to fix the issue or find a replacement

Location Manager

A location manager is responsible for securing locations as well as all any official permits required. Once a location is determined the location manager must negotiate with the property owner an appropriate fee for the use of the location, as well any fees to neighbours that may be impacted by production.

The first job of a location manager is managing the location scouting to ensure all scripted scenes can be filmed effectively. They should arrange parking for trucks, equipment and a base camp, while minimizing the impact to surrounding community.

They are responsible for public relations at the locations and the safety of the crew during filming, and are responsible for ensuring that the location is returned to the condition in which it was received.

Transportation Manager

The Transportation Manager is responsible for procuring and coordinating transport vehicles and in overseeing the transportation department.

This includes any big trucks, trailers that are used for makeup and costume, lighting vehicles, personal trailers for directors and film stars, and any rental cars for the cast and crew, as well as transportation of “camera cars” to the shoot location

Duties & Skills:

Several weeks prior to production all transport routes must be planned in advance.
The transportation manager must be skilled in transporting large and fragile cargo and have an understanding of road navigation.
Transport equipment and crew to the filming locations.

Prop Master

A prop is short for “a property” and it refers to any items used in a film. Prop masters work with the production designer, set decorator and art directors to work out what props are needed.

They research and draw up a list of properties to be decided on – some of which are hired, and some are made. When shooting is finished, they return all hired props and organise the sale of non-returnable props.

Duties :

Research historic eras to dress the sets / actors authentically.
Work closely with the production designer and other departments, share the vision with the props team.
Organisation: manage staff, budgets, complex schedules, transport and storage of props

Camera Assistant

A camera assistant gives support to the other members of the camera department.

This can include: loading & unloading equipment / setting up the camera / making sure all camera batteries are charged, camera cards are ready / monitors working, and ensure other camera accessories, like lenses or filters are ready for the camera operator.

They are responsible during the filming to ensure the image is sharp in focus - which they do by adjusting the lens’ focus ring.

Skills:

An understanding of motion picture equipment, cameras, lens, filters monitors and lights.
Handling cameras: be well coordinated, prepared to lift and move heavy camera equipment throughout a shoot.

Production Accountant

Production Accountants are responsible for maintaining financial records during production.

Their job is to prepare cash flow schedules and petty cash schedules per department, as well as calculate the weekly / daily cost of the production, and manage the cash flow.

Duties

During pre-production: Production Accountants assist the producers and production managers to prepare budgets and cash flow schedules, plus set up and manage accounting systems, and supervise assistant accountants and accounts trainees.
During production their duty include calculating finances, manage cash flow and liaise with producers. They must ensure all legal requirements are met & may deal with bank financing and completion guarantors.
They will finalize all financial records relating to the production for an independent audit. Production Accountants must have a good working knowledge of filmmaking processes as well as bookkeeping and accountancy skills.

Digital Imaging Technician

The DIT is a part of the camera department that works on systemization, camera settings, digital signal integrity and image manipulation. The DIT focuses on transitioning the data from the camera to achieve the highest image quality and the goals of cinematography in the digital realm.

Roles and responsibilities

Data management, creating digital backups and quality checks of all the material.
Liaise with cinematographers to achieve the desired look digitally.
The DIT must complete setting up a color decision lost and additionally handling the recordings, menu systems and secure a digital audio from the production sound mixer.

Gaffer

A Gaffer is the lighting technician who leads the electrical department. Their duty is to run a team that executes a lighting plan, adjusts the lighting as necessary to give the cinematographer the desired lighting effect required.

The second in command is known as the best boy, lamp operators and other members of lighting all work with the gaffer to help create the overlook.

The gaffer’s job description includes: coming up with a plan to execute that vision, including what lights and lighting equipment will be best for the job, all within the production’s budget.

Make-Up Supervisor

The makeup supervisor is responsible for designing the looks of each character using makeup and hair products, as well as prosthetics for special makeup effects.

Responsibilities

Sketch out makeup designs for all the characters.
Calculate the time required for daily makeup application for each character.
Coordinate with hairstylists and costume designers to create a balanced look for the actors/actresses.
Inform the production team about the products and tools required.
Keep a consistent makeup style throughout the shooting of the film.
Assist the actors/actresses to remove prosthetics and body makeup

Wardrobe Supervisor

The wardrobe supervisor assists in the art department to design and dress actors to character throughout the film shoot.

Duties :

Proper maintenance of all costumes, shoes, undergarments, hats and other personal props.
To execute a cleaning schedule for all garments regularly and ensure proper storage.
All costumes are properly steamed prior to each performance.
The wardrobe supervisor inspects all necessary repairs. The majority of minor costumes are repaired onsite by the wardrobe maintenance crew and the supervisor.
At the end of a production run, the wardrobe supervisor oversees all inventory and ensures all rented costumes are returned in their original condition.

Production Coordinator

The production coordinator serves under the production manager, producer to coordinate various cast and crew personnel that come together for a production.

This is a supervisory position which requires organizational skills, resourcefulness and the ability to multitask. The production coordinator's responsibilities is to ensure the production crew follows the requirements of the producer and director on set.

The production coordinator’s job description ranges from interfacing between the first and second assistant directors and the production manager, as well as tending to the need of the crew, office manager, location manager and production accountant

Grips Assistant

A Key Grips is the second safety officer on set

The grips team is responsibility is setting up and rigging the lightning equipment that shapes the light for each scene.

A Key Grips are also responsible for the movement and support of the camera, be it placed on a tripod, or a dolly or on a remote controlled head.

Skills:

Needs to be flexible physically and mentally alert.
Must have an energetic personality that can keep up with the fast moving pace of transitioning from scene to scene.
Grips should have an even tempered personality that can take the high pressure of the industry.

Extras Coordinator

The extras coordinator works closely with the Director, production manager, and the Ad team to plan and organize all the extras required. They coordinate the information from all potential background talent, contracted or volunteer. Regarding the contact information the appearance, the experience must be stated and verified for the production office.

The Extras Coordinator must be educated on the laws of the use of minors on set.
They must be resourceful in finding additional Background Talent as the need arises prior to and during production.
The Coordinator is responsible for the processing of all the extra's schedules (hair, make-up, lunch, wardrobe etc), as well as call on times and ensuring to stay within the budget. The extras coordinator must have an understanding of various scenes and have the ability to manage and supervise various groups of extras.

History

Leadership

Mark Engels

Founding Trustee

Veronica Van Der Riet

Independent Trustee

Marquerette Woods

Independent Trustee

Disciplines

Set Decorator

Sound Assistant

Location Manager

Transportation Manager

Props Master

Camera Assistant

Production Accountant

Digital Imaging Technician

Gaffer

Make-Up Supervisor

Wardrobe Supervisor

Production Coordinator

Grips Assistant

Extras Coordinator

SIGNUP

CLICK HERE

Sound Assistant

Location Manager

Transportation Manager

Prop Master

Camera Assistant

Production Accountant

Digital Imaging Technician

Gaffer

Make-Up Supervisor

Wardrobe Supervisor

Production Coordinator

Grips Assistant

Extras Coordinator