Thesis (MDram)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study starts with a general analysis of the South African film industry and finds that lack of funding, the shortage of dedicated, industry-accredited training, the political climate of the past, censorship, the subsidy system, local distribution problems, and the success of Hollywood films have all played a part in bringing about a veritable dearth in local film production in South Africa. While the local film industry may not be able to repair itself fully in the short term, I do believe the energy and talent is there to start making a concerted effort to actively stimulate the production of a wide variety of local films to kick-start the healing process. I believe short films (shorts) have the potential to play an important role in this process, and the bulk of the study explores this idea by looking at the nature, form, and potential of shorts as well as the processes involved in their production. I fmd that the short film is the ideal medium for experimentation and development, and can serve as a valuable teaching tool in film and television training. As importantly, the short is one of the best mediums of empowerment for disadvantaged filmmakers, due to the relatively small size of its budget. Shorts have the ability to playa part in stimulating the growth of the local film and television industries, and in redressing socio-political imbalances of the past in a country where film was previously used as a tool of propaganda and oppression. It seems clear from the examples of other small film industries internationally that the encouragement, through innovative funding initiatives and international co-productions, of vibrant, authentic local short and feature film production can play an important role in strengthening the local film industry. It can be beneficial to stimulate the production of shorts in particular, as this will enable new and experienced filmmakers alike to experiment and develop ideas and techniques, thereby also developing the industry as a whole. Among the specific suggestions made in the thesis are the implementation of a quota system governing the screening of local productions, the stimulation of film literacy through establishing film festivals and a short film website, the stimulation of short film production through public and private funding and co-productions, and the advancement of film training. In addition, local broadcasters could be encouraged to participate more in funding feature and short film production in order to stimulate the development of a healthy, viable film industry in South African. South Africans can gain a lot from a healthy film industry - an increased number of employment opportunities, improved training institutions, an increase in tourist activity, and a medium that can serve as a form of expression and a forum for discussion. We still have a long way to go before these projected gains become an everyday reality, but it seems that shorts can, and must, play an invaluable part in taking local talent and the South African film industry as a whole to a level of performance where it will be able to exploit these opportunities to the full. / AFRIKAANSE OSPOMMING: Die tesis begin met 'n ontleding van die Suid-Afrikaanse filmbedryf waarin gevind word dat plaaslike filmproduksie in Suid-Afrika gekortwiek is deur verskeie faktore, waaronder 'n tekort aan befondsing en geskikte opleiding, die politiese klimaat van die verlede, sensuur, die subsidie stelsel, plaaslike verspreidingsprobleme, en die sukses van Hollywood films. Dit word ook duidelik dat die plaaslike bedryf nie binne 'n oogwink herstel kan word nie, maar dat die energie en talent tog bestaan waarmee die produksie van 'n wye verskeidenheid plaaslike ftlms weer gestimuleer sou kon word. Ek glo dat kortfilms die potensiaal het om 'n uiters belangrike rol te speel in hierdie proses, en in hierdie tesis bekyk ek die gedagte aan die hand van 'n indringende studie van die aard, form en potensiaal van kortfilms, en die prosesse betrokke by die produksie daarvan. 'n Sleutel bevinding is dat die kortfilm nie net die ideale medium vir eksperimentering en ontwikkeling is nie, maar dat dit ook kan dien as 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel in film- en televisieopleiding. Net so belangrik is die bevinding dat kortfilms. danksy hullae produksiekoste, een van die beste mediums is vir bemagtiging van minderbevoorregte filmmakers, Kortftlms kan dus 'n rol speel in die stimulering van die plaaslike film- en televisiebedrywe, én help om van die ongelykhede van die verlede uit die weg te ruim, in 'n land waar film voorheen gebruik is as 'n werktuig van propaganda en onderdrukking. Dit blyk duidelik uit die voorbeelde van ander klein filmbedrywe dat die aanmoediging van die aktiewe vervaardiging van oorspronklike kort- en vollengte films ons eie fIlmbedryfkan versterk. Innoverende befondsingsondernemings en internasionale mede-produksies is ook van belang in hierdie verband. Dit is dan ook veral van belang omjuis kortfIlmproduksie te stimuleer, aangesien dit beide nuwe en ervare filmmakers die geleentheid gee om te eksperimenteer en idees en tegnieke te ontwikkel, wat dan weer vernuwend kan inwerk op vollengte fIlmproduksie en die ontwikkeling van die bedryf in sy geheel. Ander spesifieke voorstelle wat in hierdie tesis gemaak word is onder andere die implementering van 'n kwota-stelsel wat die wys van plaaslike produksies sal reguleer, die bevordering van entosiasme, kennis en inligting oor ftlms en die filmbedryf deur middel van fIlmfeeste en die internet, die stimulering van kortfIlmproduksie deur verhoogde privaat- en regeringsbefondsing en die aanmoediging van mede-produksies, en die bevordering van goeie opleiding in fIlmproduksie. Verder kan plaaslike uitsaaiers aangemoedig word om te help met die befondsing van kortfilms sowel as vollengte films. 'n Gesonde, lewensvatbare filmbedryf in Suid-Afrika sal nie net voordele inhou vir filmmakers en -kykers nie, maar ook vir gewone Suid-Afrikaners, aangesien dit onder andere meer werksgeleenthede, verbeterde opleidingsinstansies en verhoogde toeristeaktiwiteit sal meebring. Dit sal ook 'n medium daar stel wat kan dien as 'n vorm van kreatiewe uitlewing sowel as 'n gespreksforum. Alhoewel dit tyd sal neem om al hierdie voordele 'n realiteit te maak, kom dit tog voor of kortfilms 'n onontbeerlike rol kan, en moet, speel om plaaslike talent en die filmbedryf as 'n geheel op 'n vlak te kry waar film-makers die beskikbare geleenthede ten volle kan benut.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Humanities in fulfilment of the degree of Master of Arts by creative research in Film and Television, University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / In this dissertation I examine the roles of the cinematographer in fiction feature film production. I begin the discussion with a historical review of the emergence of cinematography as a specialised field in early cinema. This corresponds with developments in camera technology that enabled accurate framing, lighting and the possibility of movement. In order to provide a framework for further discussion, the first chapter proceeds with a review of formal definitions and less conventional definitions of the role of the cinematographer. The focus in these discussions is on the cinematographer’s engagement with the design, development and application of a unique ‘visual style’ in the articulation of the director’s vision for the film. A large component of this research pertains to the work of the cinematographer in South African feature film productions. The second chapter presents an analysis of two very different South African feature films Oil On Water (Matthews, 2007) and SMS Sugar Man (Kaganof, 2008). I was the cinematographer on both productions and the discussion engages a reflexive mode of analysis. The third and final chapter is an analysis of the accompanying film Impunity (Mistry, 2014), which forms the creative component of this research. I conclude with establishing that the creative engagement of the cinematographer in the design of a coherent visual style contributes to a nuanced and engaging cinematic experience and richer visual vocabulary. / MT2017

Masters of Arts Research Report submitted for the fulfilment of a Masters of Arts degree by coursework / Cultural policy in South Africa is critical in shaping government priorities for supporting the cultural industries. Since 1994 cultural policy has been informed by democratic principles of redress, accountability, freedom of expression, access and inclusiveness – diversity and multiplicity as well as economic development articulated in the cultural industries strategy. The research examines the discourse of cultural industries and the framing of the film industry by reviewing both cultural industries and film industry strategies and policy. The research applies Throsby’s (2010) concept of balancing between cultural and economic value in the cultural industries. The value of the film industry in South Africa is measured using indicators that mainly assess economic growth within the value chain. The important value measured emphasises the number of films produced and box office returns versus the attainment of the principles of the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (1996) as mentioned, therefore, what is neglected when we don’t measure the cultural value?

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

The Film Industry is regarded as a vital part of the South African economy. One of the advantages of this sector is the potential to create jobs. This has been evidenced over the years by direct jobs created for people in the entire film value chain. The Film industry has also generated many more jobs indirectly and sectors such as transport, catering and hospitality benefited enormously. The NFVF (2010) 10 years review of the Film and Video industry states that the South African government has identified the film industry as one of the catalytic vehicles for job creation and economic growth. Given the importance of the contribution of the Film Industry to job creation and economic development, there is a demand for SMMEs in this sector to be supported by Government. Not until recently the support given to Filmmakers was biased to Gauteng, Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal as a result film makers would go to these Provinces for opportunities. This study has examined the challenges faced by SMMEs in the film industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in acquiring Government support and to seek ways of addressing the challenges. There has been limited research undertaken on the support given to SMMEs in film particularly the Eastern Cape Province. After a comprehensive literature review was undertaken on SMMEs, the following variables were identified as conceivably affecting growth and development of SMMEs in the film industry: Enabling Legal and regulatory environment; Financial support; Technological support; Managerial support. This study followed a quantitative research method. A measuring instrument in the form of a questionnaire was compiled from secondary sources of literature. The respondents were identified through convenience sampling technique. The sample comprised of 35 out of 50 SMMEs in film. The empirical results showed that all of the variables, enabling legal and regulatory environment, financial support, technological support and managerial support had a relationship with growth and development of SMMEs in film.