Cape Town Film, Media and Advertising Industry
Job Location: Cape Town, Africa
Employment Date: Semester Long
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Salary: Unpaid
Organization Description:
South
Africa's political transformation in 1994 vastly benefited the film and
television production industry. Not only did it broaden and liberalize
the South African market, but it also opened the world to national film
producers and vice versa. The film industry - still mainly dependent on
overseas producers- is one of the top five growth industries in the
Western Cape. Movies that have recently been shot in the Cape include
Country of my Skull featuring Juliette Binoche and Samuel Jackson, Lord
of War with Nicholas Cage, Ultimatum with Vinnie Jones and Eddie
Griffith, The Piano Player, featuring Christopher Lambert and Dennis
Hopper and Manhunt with SA-born mummy star Arnold Vosloo.
The
opportunities for filming in the Western Cape are almost unlimited. The
Western Cape has Alpine-style Mountains and lakes, tropical beaches,
rugged rocky coastlines, rolling wheat fields and mysterious forests.
Within a short distance from the international airport, filmmakers can
find a Roman Colosseum, a Hong Kong street market, a Paris fashion show,
South Beach Miami, 1960's London as well as numerous other generic
American cities. And, of course, there is the weather. It is nearly
guaranteed that the sun will shine for at least fourteen hours a day in
the Cape, in the middle of the European winter.
In
addition, shooting a film in Cape Town is at least 30% cheaper than in
Europe and the United States and 20% cheaper than in Australia, making
it all the more attractive to overseas film producers. To engage the
industry of filming, the Cape Film Commission and thirty film companies
in Cape Town are trying to develop the market. Film industries in Europe
and the United States are highly-developed and offer South Africa big
competition, especially in post production facilities. The most
lucrative part of the film industry in the Cape is the international
commercials business with over 400 film shoots per year. Cape Town
offers 6 equipment rental companies, more than 25 stills production
companies and around 45 commercial service companies. The city attracts
58% of all commercial shoots. A R30 million post-production facility
opened in summer 2003, enables international film companies to complete
their total film productions in Cape Towns and solidifies the city’s
prominence in the international film industry. In addition to the film
industry, Cape Town boasts a number of commercial marketing firms,
television stations and print media.
Job Description:
· Interns
will be individually placed in a specific company within the film
industry, based on their experience and interests. Opportunities include
advertising, film production management, television, photography, and
post-production work.
· Many other options exist. Be sure to indicate your specific area of interest in your cover letter and essay.
· Interns will be living in Observatory, and will be supported by local host organization Volunteer Adventure Corps.
Observatory, or “Obz” as locals call it, is one of the most exciting
student neighborhoods in all of Cape Town. It features an eclectic
sundry of nightspots and restaurants, and an atmosphere that is
surprisingly cosmopolitan given its intimate size. Much of this unique
vibe is attributed to the presence of many international visitors. It is
not uncommon to overhear conversations in several different languages
while walking along the street. Yet, Obz is also intrinsically South
African. Living in Obz and experiencing its cultural and political vibes
will help interns better understand, on a greater scale, the
complexities of the “new” South Africa. · Observatory
is popular among the international student/ volunteer community because
it is located halfway between the city center and the False Bay
coastline. Visitors have an endless selection of outdoor activities to
choose from, such as hiking, surfing, scuba diving, golfing, outdoor
concerts and wine tasting. Cape Town is surrounded by oceans and is home
to many beautiful beaches! The city centre, known to Capetonians as the
“bowl”, is the ideal place to go on cultural excursions.
Qualifications:
Background
in Film and video, photography, journalism, advertising, media studies.
Strong client interaction skills and previous work experience in
service based industries, hard-working and willing to work beyond normal
work-day hours during shoots, filming etc. Must demonstrate skills
directly relating to the internship role desired: (e.g., as an intern
with a photography production company, knowledge of photo theory and
coursework with photography).
Language Ability Needed: English. Experience in a European language is a plus for placement with production companies that serve European clients.
Duration of Internship: 10 weeks: Advertising available year round, film internships only available fall and winter terms