The initiative will be a collaborative project between
MultiChoice, local television channels in various African territories, and the
MultiChoice Talent Factory, the MultiChoice industry-development and training
programme.
“Our vision is to upskill production professionals, and to
raise the standard of productions right across Africa,” said Fhulufhelo
Badugela, MultiChoice Africa CEO, launching the programme expansion. “This will
boost Africa’s film and television industry exponentially, because as you
capacitate more people, more people are motivated to start projects, and
everybody benefits, including the viewers.”
“This is an investment in the future of our industry, and
investment goes beyond financial investment it also requires skills, time and a
core understanding of the consumer needs” said Badugela. “But the most
immediate impact will be to raise the standard of productions across Africa.”
The programme will consist of online learning courses,
masterclasses, and practical training. MultiChoice will partner with local
broadcasters to help develop skills in the various territories. It will include
certified short courses in critical production skills such as post-production,
sound, screenwriting, 3D animation and cinematography.
The programme’s online-learning component enables
MultiChoice to reach as many content creators as possible, across the
continent, while also allowing working professionals to do courses at their own
pace.
The programme will initially reach 300 broadcast workers who
are already producing content in their local markets through e-learning. They
will then be able to instantly apply their learnings on domestic productions.
“Local broadcasters are the grassroots of the TV industry in
every country,” said Badugela. “By building the industry we are enabling local
job creation, enabling an industry to contribute to the economy and responding
to the ongoing consumer demand for quality local entertainment.”
Masterclasses will be held in person and also broadcast
online with local and international industry leaders. The focus is on creating
and curating masterclasses that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of each
country.
“The people on the programme will gain skills relevant to
their own field of expertise – so their knowledge will be immediately
applicable,” said Badugela. “We are also able to reach more people by doing the
training in-country.”
“We have seen the impact investments can have,” said
Badugela “In Zimbabwe, we ran a training programme to support the launch of new
local entertainment channels. The standard of the new channels is excellent,
and the market has really opened up in terms of the productions being launched
and the calibre of Zimbabwe’s filmmakers.”
Badugela said she anticipated the African training
initiative leading to more productions, with higher production values, which
would boost viewership and the financial viability of the industry – especially
in emerging African TV markets.
“Improving the skills of our TV professionals will give
audiences more choice and more chance to see themselves reflected in the
content they consume,” she said. “It’s about quality African content for
African viewers.”
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