01/08/2014
NFVF/NATIVES AT LARGE YOUTH FILMMAKER
PROJECT 2013/14
1. BACKGROUND
The concept for the Youth Filmmaker Project is a valuable
intervention by the National Film and Video Foundation, to
provide recent graduates of film school, particularly those
from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an
opportunity to make a film in collaboration with mentor
producers Ramadan Suleman, Neville Josie and Prof Bheki
Peterson. Successful applicants will be guided in the
development of their stories into a 24 minutes script over a
period of 5 months.
Shortlisted submissions will go through a development
process in preparation for the production of the films, which
will be shot over a five-week period and 10 of the scripts will
be selected to go into production in 2014.
The development process will include 3 x 3 day workshops
between the month of September 2014 and February 2015
with facilitators and mentors, working on developing the
script with writers. The process encourages writers to direct
their films or partner with a first time director/graduate.
During the pre-production process, each director will also be
provided with the necessary tools to break down scripts for
camera as well as detailed strategies for extracting the best
performances from the actors.
Natives At Large will produce the films. The mentoring
process will continue during production, editing, post
production to final delivery of the film.
The successful projects and teams will then be provided with
a professional production crew to shoot their film. A postproduction
supervisor will be appointed to assist them in the
editing and final delivery of the film.
Finally, a special premiere of the best completed films will be
held at a suitable venue in partnership with all partners.
2. ELIGIBILITY
In order for a filmmaker to be considered for this opportunity,
the applicant must meet the following requirements:
1. Have graduated from film school no more than two
years ago.
2. Have studied in one or more disciplines including (but
not exclusive to): writing, directing, editing,
cinematography or producing.
3. Be a Historically Disadvantaged Individual as defined
in the constitution of South Africa.
4. Be able to set aside the requisite time over a period of
8 months to complete the programme.
3. SELECTION
CRITERIA
Eligible candidates for the project must:
• Have a strong written concept for a short (approx. 15
minutes) standalone film with a clearly thought out
premise or controlling idea that would allow it to be
packaged with the other projects.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the tools of scriptwriting
including software, formatting, scheduling and editing.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to work with
others in pursuit of the same objective.
• Understand the value of and is able to work under
pressure and tight schedules.
Short-listed submissions will be invited to present their
proposal in person.
4. THEME
Push and Shove
The series of films that will be produced need to be packaged
as a cohesive series, and order to achieve this, we have put
forward a theme around which writers can submit their story
idea.
In an effort to avoid stereotypical and clichéd themes, we
want to explore current themes that resonate with young
South Africans, themes that explore the values and
expectations of today’s South African society.
Push And Shove speaks to the theme of exclusion and
inclusion – what does this mean in relation to your own
experience as youth living in a democracy? Many youth have
to constantly push and shove to claim a space for themselves,
often against great odds and constant threat and danger.
Your stories should show us:
• Who is excluded and why?
• To what extent is exclusion based on being different to
the norm
• The different forms of exclusion and how youth
experience exclusion in their personal, family and
public life
• What are the benefits to inclusion if any
• What youth do to overcome exclusion in both their
personal, family and public life
These are just some of the ideas that can be explored with
this theme. We believe there is a multitude of stories that can
come out, but the ultimate goal is to make stories that will
resonate with audiences today, told from a youth perspective
and stories that we can recognize ourselves in.
5. APPLICATIONS
All applications should be able to provide the following
documentation in hard copy triplicate for consideration:
1. A two pages detailed synopsis for the short film. DO
NOT SUBMIT SCRIPTS.
2. CV and copy of ID document.
6. CLOSING DATE 15th August 2014
All applications must be submitted
electronically to Natives At Large:
[email protected] the closing date.
All enquiries must be directed to:
[email protected]. IMPORTANT DATES
15 August 2014 – CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
SHORTLIST INTERVIEW: Participants to be notified.
