The National Film School Study

The research process began in 2006 with the rationale to measure the degree to which current education and training resources meet the needs of the South African film industry. It was envisaged that the investigation would provide a quantitative and qualitative picture of the current skills needs and gaps of the South African film and television industry.

For the NFVF to have sound research advice, a research advisory panel was established with representatives from the following institutions, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Higher Education of South Africa (HESA), Statistics South Africa (STATSSA), Human Science Research Council (HSRC) and NFVF council.

Literature reviews were conducted from all the 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.

Secondary data was sourced and analysed from 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).

The study revealed that the current educational institutions do not equip graduates with skills required by the industry as they come out of institutions of higher learning with different basics. Some graduates are technically inclined while some are theoretical inclined.

From the survey conducted, the majority of respondents indicated that they were in favour of the establishment of a national film school, with companies offering to support students who would be attending the school. An overwhelming majority of 76% favoured the establishment of a National Film School, while a mere 24% were against the establishment of a national film school. Those who were in favour of the establishment had experienced skills shortage within their companies.

A number of occupations such as, Cinematographers, Producers, Screenwriters, Head of Departments, Editors and Animatorswere 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.

The study recommends the establishment of a National Film School 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 study further recommends that the school 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.

Lectures 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 USA 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.

The study encountered challenges, and some of the challenges faced were, 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 audiovisual industry.

The National Film School study will form part of the discussion topics at the Film Indaba 2009 hosted by the National Film & Video Foundation - NFVF, which will be held on 26 and 27 November. Themed 'Mapping the way towards 2025', the Film Indaba coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the NFVF, and will inform on the adaptation of the NFVF Value Charter by the industry stakeholders. Discussion topics for the Film Indaba include;

• policy alignment
• intergovernmental and stakeholder relations
• building a sustainable business
• human capital development, development and growth of markets
• making an economic case for the industry