MultiChoice and M-Net rebrand its Magic in Motion film academy in South Africa to MultiChoice Talent Factory ZA to fit in with MultiChoice Africa's film school initiative.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net and MultiChoice are rebranding M-Net's Magic in Motion film academy under the new name of the MultiChoice Talent Factory ZA to fit in and align with MultiChoice's MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy run by the pay-TV operator in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

M-Net launched the Magic in Motion Academy in 2014 with Bobby Heaney as academy director.

Copying M-Net's very successful film academy blueprint, MultiChoice launched the MultiChoice Talent Factory as a similar programme for the rest of Africa outside of South Africa in 2018.

MultiChoice Africa runs The MultiChoice Talent Factory with three different academy hubs in West, Southern and East Africa in Lagos, Nigeria; Lusaka, Zambia; and in Nairobi, Kenya.

After 5 years the South African Magic in Motion Academy is rebranding to now take on the name of the film academy is spawned for the rest of Africa, although it will still remain a separate localised film school for South African film students and interns only.

Bobby Heaney remains MultiChoice Talent Factory South Africa academy director, while Cheryl Uys-Allie remains MultiChoice Talent Factory director for sub-Saharan Africa.

Femi Odugmebi is the MultiChoice Talent Factory director for West Africa, Njoki Muhoho is the MultiChoice Talent Factory East Africa director, and Berry Lwando is the MultiChoice Talent Factory Southern Africa director.

Neither MultiChoice nor M-Net issued a press release regarding the name change and rebranding, or gave a reason for Magic in Motion academy name change.

M-Net on its corporate website says that "After a very successful 5 years of empowering the next generation of storytellers through on-the-job training and the opportunity to work with experienced producers for hands-on experience, M-Net's Magic in Motion now starts a new chapter as MultiChoice Talent Factory ZA".

The Magic in Motion and MultiChoice Talent Factory has been helping aspiring young filmmakers with one year internships in the form of a bursary programme that includes academic study as well as practical experience on various productions across the multitude of M-Net channels and SuperSport in South Africa as well as across the African continent.

Students get the opportunity to gain experience in directing, cinematography, content commissioning, art direction and various other practical TV and film production skills, and go on to produce student films as well which are broadcast on M-Net's set of channels on DStv.

Two more films produced by the students of M-Net's Magic in Motion academy, Wa Lepelle and Themba Lam, broadcast this month on DStv's Mzansi Magic channel.

Two new local films produced by young filmmakers who have graduated from M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy, Wa Lepelle and Themba Lam, will be shown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) this month on Saturdays, starting on Saturday, 8 June at 19:30.

During the week M-Net and MultiChoice held a cinema screening in Sandton, Johannesburg where Wa Lepelle and Themba Lam had a big screen premiere.

Wa Lepelle on Saturday, 8 June at 19:30 is the story of a nurse who loses her little sister to a forbidden river and is forced to return 20 years later when her daughter is also taken.

Themba Lam revolves around Mike, who pays for his lover Fezeka’s final year of studies. Fezeka becomes a high-flying engineer and supports Mike who is now unemployed. The movie delves into money, class and status. 

To date, 58 students have been trained by M-Net's Magic in Motion film academy since it started in 2014 and 15 local films produced by the academy's interns have been broadcast on Mzansi Magic.

"Like many incredible works of art, TV shows or movies, it often starts out with a dream. We dreamt of using our experience as Africa’s most-loved storyteller to empower the next generation of Africa’s storytellers, by practically developing their skills in the film and TV industry," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment.

"Beyond the entertainment value, it’s rewarding to see how our investments in infrastructure, technology and skills development are empowering the next generation by harnessing the emerging talent of the youth and enabling them to achieve their goals."

Some Magic in Motion interns have now started their own production companies, for instance Eccentric Circus, that was started by Xolani Nhlapho, Neo Sibiya and Thabo Mashaila who were part of the Magic in Motion class of 2016.

"Last year, our company Eccentric Circus was kickstarted through the MultiChoice Group’s Enterprise Development Trust. Our vision as a company is to tell stories about young black people trying to navigate post-democratic South Africa’s changing landscape," says Neo Sibiya, the writer of Themba Lam, that was produced by Eccentric Circus.

Actor Ben Kgosimore says that "Working with these graduates was incredible. They were very professional. Every one of them was truly amazing."

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy is looking for 16 interns for 2018 for a year-long, paid, practical internship in South Africa's TV and film industry.

M-Net is once again looking for interns for its Magic in Motion Academy for 2018, a year-long, paid, practical internship for people who want to work in South Africa's TV and film industry and who are completing any 3-year degree in film and TV studies at the end of 2017 or did in 2016.

The 16 interns will have to live in Gauteng during 2018, must be South African citizens, and M-Net doesn't guarantee any employment at the end of the internship.

Interns will however get the chance to make valuable contacts and work across the entire range of the various M-Net channel's local productions during the year in various capacities and several of previous years' graduates are now working in the industry not just at shows produced for M-Net.

People who want to apply can visit mnetcorporate.dstv.com/2017/11/14/2018-magic-motion-applications to enter online before 31 January 2018.

"When M-Net began the Magic in Motion Academy in 2015, our aim was to build a sustainable and consistent talent pipeline that empowered hard-working professionals with the skills they need to transform the video entertainment sector," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO.

"Four years on, we're delighted to be calling for entries once again."

 Together with generous production companies who provide the interns with training placements and aided by tertiary institutions who motivate their brightest to enter the Academy, M-Net is committed to building on the accomplishments of previous interns.

"This powerful partnership remains at the heart of the Magic in Motion Academy," says Yolisa Phahle.

"These institutions and companies are invaluable in enabling the Academy to reach its full potential." 

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy is led by respected TV veteran Bobby Heaney as director.

The Class of 2018 will learn more about scripting, producing, directing, editing, production commissioning, concept innovation, sound, post-production and more.

Furthermore there will be Academy Master Classes led by the country's top TV executives will also expose the interns to the trends and technologies shaping the global entertainment landscape.

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy strives to deliver highly employable individuals who understand a variety of genres, ranging from drama and comedy to live shows and reality formats.

"The beauty of the Magic in Motion journey is that our interns learn that this is an industry that will reward hard work and they can effectively work their way up with an M-Net Original productions calling card," says Bobby Heaney.

Entries open for M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy 2017, looking for 12 TV and film student interns; Magic in Motion Expo also returning with new scholarship programme.

Entries has opened for M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy for 2017, the pay-TV broadcaster's one-year practical internship programme for TV and film students.

Entries close on 31 January 2017, with M-Net who will choose 12 students who completed their 3-year diploma or degree in film and TV or a related studies in 2015 or 2016, with at least a C pass mark.

The internship primarily takes place in Johannesburg and the greater Gauteng and South Africans from all race groups can apply. Successful interns must be willing to move to Johannesburg for the duration of the internship programme.

2017 will be the 4th year that M-Net is running its Magic in Motion Academy.

The chosen 12 interns will receive hands-on training in producing, directing, cinematography, production commissioning, concept creation, script writing, sound, art direction, editing, post-production and more during the course of the year as they work and get practical experience across multiple M-Net shows across all of M-Net's various TV channels packaged for MultiChoice's DStv.

At the end of the year, M-Net will again choose three of the interns to produce their own films with funding from M-Net, with their work that could be broadcast on some of the M-Net channels.

The Magic in Motion Academy begins in May 2017, again under the guidance of Academy director Bobby Heaney and M-Net's CSI and skills development manager, Ashika Kirpal.

Besides the Magic in Motion Academy, M-Net will again host its hugely popular 4-day Magic in Motion Career Expo showcasing the exciting world of film and TV and the jobs available inside it to school children across South Africa.

M-Net will also announce details about a new scholarship programme soon.

"As M-Net celebrates 30 years as the pay-TV pioneer on the continent, we understand the importance of investing in stories for Africans, by Africans, and we are once again showing our commitment to taking talented youngsters under our wing to bring more local content to life," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO.

"It is so deeply humbling to be able to give the new generation of filmmakers, producers and writers an opportunity to learn the skills that could make their dreams a reality," says Yolisa Phahle. "Graduates from our two previous classes have proven themselves and have gone on to become successful professionals and entrepreneurs".

More details can be requested from MagicInMotion@mnet.co.za and the entry form and entry criteria for the Magic in Motion Academy 2017 can be found here online:

http://mnetcorporate.co.za/bigger-picture/magic-in-motion/applications-2017

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy looking for 20 non-white TV and film graduates who want to be paid interns working on various M-Net shows.

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy (MiM Academy) is looking for 20 non-white TV and film graduates who want to do a paid internship at the pay-TV broadcaster in 2016 working behind the scenes across various shows and productions over all of the M-Net run TV channels.

For the second year of the Magic in Motion Academy, M-Net is expanding the landmark internship programme that instantly resonated with the South African film and TV industry, from 12 to 20 positions, and will continue to give film and TV graduates much-needed and in-depth practical experience as they work closely with some of South Africa's top producers and TV shows.

"In Magic in Motion, M-Net spotlights the philosophy that given an opportunity, an empowered new generation of filmmakers and TV professionals will rise to take their place at the forefront of our sector," says M-Net CEO, Yolisa Phahle. 

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy, with veteran producer and director Bobby Heaney as the academy's director, is structured around the film and TV industry's need in South Africa to develop the local talent pipeline, build industry capacity and to contribute to the economic strength of the country.

Film and TV graduates who want to enter the Magic in Motion Academy's internship programme for 2016 must be South African and have completed their qualification in 2014 or 2015.

The Magic in Motion Academy internship programme is not for white people and according to M-Net applications are strictly EE (Employment Equity) qualifying candidates only - black, coloured and Indian.

Those who apply must have a 3-year qualification in drama, film, TV or a related media field from a recognised tertiary institution and must have graduated or expect to graduate with at least an overall B- mark.

Those who apply must have had no previous permanent employment in the film and TV sector.

The closing date is 11 December with more information available at www.mnetmagicinmotion.com, or email magicinmotion@mnet.co.za or call 011 686 6000.

M-Net unveils 12 interns part of the 1st class of M-Net's Magic in Motion Film & TV Academy; will work across M-Net's local shows for a year.

As South Africa's growing, yet struggling, television industry and the government call for bigger support of the country's TV and film biz, M-Net on Thursday announced the names on the 12 interns from across South Africa who will be the first class attending M-Net's new Magic in Motion Film & TV Academy for a year.

"The 12 Magic in Motion interns are indeed in for the ride of their lives," said veteran TV and film producer Bobby Heaney, the academy's director at the World Trace Centre in Sandton yesterday.

"This is their springboard moment."

"M-Net's Magic in Motion Film & TV Academy was specifically designed to achieve long term objectives which will benefit the whole industry and ultimately the whole country," said Bobby Heaney.

"The 12 interns represent the brightest, the most passionate and most dedicated film, television and media students from across South Africa," said Bobby Heaney of the academy's first class of students.

They will be attending the year long, accelerated work-readiness programme in the world of professional film and TV production.

"Do we have the next Koos Bekker among these 12 interns?" asked Bobby Heaney. "The next Anant Singh? The next Gavin Hood? Perhaps yes. But probably not without a strong support base and the practical and theoretical fundamentals."

"M-Net is building a new industry network - a network of sharing, nurturing, inspiring and creating to support new talent long into the future."

The 12 students - chosen out of 200 applications - will gain practical experience and knowledge by working across various local M-Net channels' TV productions ranging from Carte Blanche and Idols to Isibaya, Zabalaza, Rockville, Big Brother Mzansi, Binnelanders, Power Couple SA, MasterChef SA and several others, starting next week.

First they will all travel to Cape Town to work on the set of new reality show Power Couple SA, after which they will all work at Sun City on Miss South Africa 2015 returning to the M-Net channel this year. After that they will be split across the various other local productions.

At the end of the year the interns will also be tasked with pitching original TV show concepts to the various M-Net channel heads, and they will get to make their own TV pilot show as well.

"We received the highest caliber of students for the first intake," said Kershnee Govender, M-Net's corporate affairs director. She said M-Net's new Magic in Motion Academy is an example of M-Net's commitment to developing local talent in the film and television industry.

Buti Manamela, deputy minister in the presidency, praised M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy initiative, saying its very important that South Africans tell local TV stories and that South Africa's film and TV industry grow to nurture the youth interested in careers in this industry.

"It's important that every project for youth development include the youth."

"Too often our stories are being told for us. These stories are often not our own stories, they are largely American or Eurocentric stories from the outside market. We need to start telling our own stories that resonate and reaffirms our cultural identities," said Buti Manamela.

The first 12 interns for 2015 at M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy are:
·         Sandisiwe Aluta Qupa (AFDA JHB)

·         Palesa Rathebe (AFDA JHB)

·         Yalezo Njuguna ( UJ)

·         ThembaTwala (WITS)

·         Ignatius Shongwe (AFDA JHB)

·         Reitumetse Mataboge (AFDA JHB)

·         Thembalethu Mfebe (UCT)

·         Kabelo Ramputa (Boston Media House)

·         Mbali Zulu (UJ)

·         Lele Dinte (AFDA JHB)

·         Mark Madai (AFDA CT)

·         Sivela Mgudu (CPUT)

Bobby Heaney appointed as academy director of M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy.

The veteran South African film and TV producer and director Bobby Heaney has been appointed as the academy director of M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy.

The M-Net Magic in Motion Academy will start in March with its first intake of students who will have the opportunity to work across genres and productions in their year-long programme.

"We are excited to welcome Bobby Heaney to the team," says Kershnee Govender, M-Net's corporate affairs director.

"He brings many years of film and television experience, coupled with significant industry awards under his belt. M-Net, along with its support of highly focused broadcast partners and Bobby will ensure that our students benefit greatly which in turn benefits the greater industry," says Kershnee Govender.

Bobby Heaney will mentor the 12 students chosen for a year-long internship through M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy which aims to develop talent in the South African film and television industry.

"The Academy could not have come at a better time, for me, the learners as well as the industry in South Africa," says Bobby Heaney.

"I started as an actor, moved into theatre, directed theatre and subsequently moved on to acting, producing and directing in television. This is an amazing journey and I'm so honoured that I will forever be a part of it for the as academy students," says Bobby Heaney.

"Students will get to work on both single and multi-focus camera productions, in studio and on location and will leave the academy with exceptional knowledge that will narrow the gap between the theory they've learnt at tertiary studies and what actually happens on the ground in the profession."

Through the M-Net Magic in Motion Academy students will work with production houses that already produce shows on behalf of M-Net across various genres.

Part of the internship includes the opportunity to commission a programme either by coming up with a television format or pitching for and producing a pilot programme.

According to M-Net a critical feature of the Magic in Motion Academy is for the students to gain experience across the wide spectrum of the film and television. With that in mind, students will learn alongside producers, directors, vision mixers, boom swingers and other specialists who work on reality television, sports, drama and investigative journalism shows.

GALAXY OF STARS: M-Net to create the M-Net Film and Television Academy through M-Net Magic in Motion; will raise up next generation of content creators.

You're reading it here first. 

The premium South African and African pay-television brand M-Net is set to create and establish the M-Net Film and TV Academy in 2015 which will aim to expose, train and raise up the next generation of talented content makers within South Africa's vibrant and growing film and television industry.

The announcement of the creation of an M-Net Film and TV Academy was made by Yolisa Phahle, the new M-Net South Africa CEO, in front of a crowd of 400 high profile TV executives, TV talent, government officials and guilds and union representatives at M-Net and MultiChoice's Galaxy of Stars celebration event held on Saturday evening.

Yolisa Phahle's announcement of the creation of an M-Net Film and Television Academy was met with spontaneous and rapturous applause from the South African film and TV industry power players attending the exclusive, by invitation only, Gallagher Estate event.

The South African pay-TV broadcaster's growing collection of premium TV channels are seen in South Africa and across the African continent on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform and its digital terrestrial pay-TV offering GOtv.

M-Net will set up the M-Net Film and TV Academy through M-Net Magic in Motion, the newly rebranded name of its social investment arm. The M-Net Cares brand has been replaced with the M-Net Magic in Motion brand.

"M-Net is working to implement this exciting new programme to harness the talent and potential of young South Africans. We will groom and grow the next generation of South African film and television," said Yolisa Phahle.

"So starting next year M-Net will deliver an annual film academy that will create a pool of work-ready talented graduates who could hit the industry, bringing with them fresh ideas and new perspectives".

"The launch of this premier finishing school will be preceded next month by a career Exposition, and we're planning to expose students - especially those from previously disadvantaged communities - to the magic that is our world, and also to some of the most rewarding and some of the most challenging and varied opportunities in our industry" said Yolisa Phahle.

"M-Net has a proud legacy of investment and achievement, and with our Academy and our Expo, we will be growing that legacy".

"Most important of all is our continued commitment to the transformation of our industry. Because I believe that all sustainable business is a consequence of not just serving your immediate consumers or viewers or customers."

"I know that the way to do well, is to make sure that you serve not only consumers, but communities, cities, and your country," said Yolisa Phahle.

"It is in this way, with your continued co-operation, collaboration, that together we can create a long-lasting film and television industry in Africa, for Africans".

M-Net and MultiChoice's Galaxy of Stars made-for-TV event will be broadcast on 9 August on M-Net (DStv 101) at 14:00 and on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 21:30.