National film school for SA?

The study, commissioned by the NFVF, began in 2006 to measure whether current education and training resources met the needs of the South African film industry. A research advisory panel was established with representatives from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Higher Education of South Africa (HESA), Statistics South Africa (STATSSA), Human Science Research Council (HSRC) and NFVF council.

Research process

Literature reviews were researched from all previous studies conducted. Focus groups were held with graduates and students in the film and television industry, while industry consultations were conducted with members of industry associations and industry practitioners. An on-line survey was also posted on the NFVF website for a period of six weeks.

All Media and Products Survey (AMPS), Television Audience Survey (TAMS), South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF), Cinemark, Ster-Kinekor, Nu-Metro and United International Pictures (UIP) sourced and analysed secondary data.

The study encountered challenges, such as the lack of synergy as to what skills each occupation requires within the training sector. There was also a difficulty in incorporating existing research because national occupational definitions from Stats SA (Standard Industry Classification codes) and the Department of Labour (occupational codes) are incongruent with each other and the occupations and terms used in the industry.

Results

The NFS study revealed that the current educational institutions do not equip graduates with skills required by the industry. Some graduates are technically inclined while others are inclined towards the theoretical.

The majority of respondents (76%) indicated that they were in favour of establishing an NFS, with companies offering to support students who would attend the school, with 24% against it. Those in favour of establishment had experienced skills shortage within their companies.

A number of occupations such as, cinematographers, producers, screenwriters, heads of department, editors and animators were identified as areas that proved hard to fill in 2006.

The study indicated that there is a high level of job instability in the industry with most practitioners employed on a contractual basis and others working as freelancers. Transformation was also listed as a hindrance towards skills development for film practitioners.

Recommendations

The study recommends the establishment of an NFS to address some of the constraints identified. Government should play a big role towards the establishment of the school in order to inspire the South African film and television industry.

The school should be located in Gauteng, given the high concentration of film activity in the province. Both the public and private sector should fund the school. The school should admit students on academic excellence and passion for the industry while also taking into consideration the socio economic needs of such students. Lecturers for the school should be drawn from the industry and should be experts in their fields and the school has to have strong links with the industry.

The research identified film schools from, Ghana, UK, Mexico and the US for benchmarking purposes. The identified film schools contributed immensely to the economy and development of the film industry in their respective countries while helping to preserve their culture.