Study for a career in new media with NEMISA

It's that time of the year again, when matriculants and their parents, results in their hands, are asking, "What next?" Our world is increasingly electronic - and a new media development industry has emerged to supply a hungry world's electronic needs. If you're creative, artistic and interested in media, you might want to consider a career in new media.

This, in turn, requires creative people skilled in multimedia. And the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this learning process.

Situated centrally in Parktown, Johannesburg, NEMISA still has places available for promising candidates for the 2007 academic year. The cut-off date for acceptance has been extended to end-January to allow the participation of those who received their results late.

Five major multimedia disciplines

NEMISA is reported to be the only media training facility in South Africa with studios dedicated to each of the five major multimedia disciplines: Television, Radio, Animation, Broadcast Engineering and Multimedia Design. According to the Institute, its lecturers are respected in the media industry and many are internationally renowned for their expertise.

For example, the new three-year course in Animation (a US$70 billion a year industry internationally), will be taught by Canadian expert Stacey Eberschlag, one of those who led the successful recent 10-week advanced class for those already engaged in the animation industry.

The new three-year Animation course will be using the successful curriculum that trained a long list of successful animators in many countries, some of whom have moved on to lucrative careers with Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar and other major animation studios. Good drawing skills are required. Costs are competitive at R27 000 per annum, plus a R1500 registration fee.

Multimedia

Artistic, creative, thinking young people are also encouraged to apply for the 12 month Multimedia Design Foundation Year course. The leaders of this course are particularly keen to interview inventive young black women (although all other talented applicants will receive due consideration).

The course is nationally recognised and covers a wide variety of disciplines, from business communication to TV production, and includes graphic design and marketing communications.

A matric qualification is helpful, but not essential for the Foundation course. Aptitude and enthusiasm are the key factors. Fees for the course are R15 000 per annum plus a R1500 registration fee.

Radio and TV

Other courses with places still available include the three-month programme leading to the Broadcast Journalism Certificate (Radio and TV) (R3700 plus R1500 registration fee); the 12-month (Level 5) programme for the National Certificate in Radio Production, (R12000 plus R1500 registration fee); and the 18-month National Certificate in TV Production (R21 500 plus R1500 registration). In all cases selective bursaries are available.

Numerous short courses are also offered throughout the year, catering to those who are already employed, but keen to polish and update their existing skills.

The course leading to the National Certificate in Broadcast Engineering is fully subscribed.

Courses commence 12 February, and NEMISA is considering applications up until 28 January. Call NEMISA on +27 (0)11 484 0583 or go to www.nemisa.co.za for more information.