INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
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Durban's film industry is very small, and has yet to produce any great works, but passionate companies and organisations such as Durban Film Office, and
The Durban Media Project are trying to encourage international filmmakers, and commercial makers to use South Africa, and particularily Durban, as a prefered international shooting destination. There is ample local talent, from pre to post production to handle almost any size shoot.
Durban also continues to be a training ground, for the obviously talented, well equiped and passionate audio and video producers, who work primarily in production of corporate dvds, music videos and weddings.
TV documentaries, series, drama, sitcoms etc. are hardly represented, with most South African production happening, currently, in other provinces. Access to local TV commissions is historically what provided the local industry with funding for equipment, software, and talent integration. This is probably the most important grass roots development needed to keep aspirant filmakers in Kwa-zulu Natal.
Sponsorship is dearly needed for the production of pilots, in order to prove production abilities of Durban Media Producers.
Schools such as Durban University of Technology , and University of Kwa-Zulu Natal provide such facilities to students, but not to postgraduates, which perpetuates the cycle of pitching being based only on commisioned work, not on creative concept, which perpetuates the brain drain of the best creatives to centres where they can work with 35mm or high quility digital formats. TV commercial work keeps the most talented and knowledgable artist in Durban, mostly working for, or on behalf of the larger ad agencies. The production quality can be clearly seen in the work of the artists in this category.
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