Young Tembisa woman shares her stories

To be in a film is every youth’s dream in Tembisa. A number of films have popped up to showcase young talent and tell genuine Kasi stories.

Many young people behind these film have little or no training in the art. Ms Nomasonto Shongwe (24) felt a need to acquire skills through training to increase her knowledge of the film industry.

“I initially qualified in public relations to introduce myself to the world of media, but I always had a dream of graduating with a film qualification,” said the former Tembisa High learner.

Ms Shongwe holds a two-year diploma in film and television production techniques and she hopes to shoot her local stories soon.

“I love film and I started writing when I was about 10 years old. Initially I thought I was going to be an author until I got my hand on a book that was lying around at home,” said Ms Shongwe. She said the book was about directing actors and it introduced her to a whole new world.

“Film is more complicated than picking up a camera and pressing record. The filmmaker has to understand lighting fundamentals, the reason behind camera movement and the reality of bringing a dream to life.”

She said studying film is important because if one has credentials then they are employable in the film industry.

Due to the exorbitant amount of money required to study film, Ms Shongwe advises those who cannot afford the course to surround themselves with professional filmmakers and volunteer on film sets to learn the techniques and understand each filmmaker’s style. “When it is your turn to make your first film, give it your best and you will always be remembered,” said the film graduate. She said it is always good for first- time filmmakers to get second and third opinions on their film project. “Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and get feedback to understand your niche market and that will make you grow.”

Ms Shongwe believes the industry has potential of creating employment for young people. “A group of unemployed young people who are passionate about films and share the same vision can come together and create a film that can be put out there for the world to see. In that way they will be creating employment for themselves by telling backyard community stories,” she said.

She also complained about the lack of funding in the art and said there are not enough platforms to showcase local work. “Young filmmakers are not given opportunities to direct because they don’t have portfolios (work history) and so executive producers don’t feel safe to invest in the project of someone who is not a household name.”

She said we need to have a Tembisa film festival. Asked how it would benefit young filmmakers, Ms Shongwe said it will give Tembisa filmmakers an opportunity to take their film to the rest of the nation. “I mean you cannot take your film to the nation without having shown it to the very local people who probably inspire the production of that film,” she said. She said it will also allow aspiring filmmakers to network and come up with even bigger film ideas that can be taken to the world.