Articles

Lights, Camera Action: Cape Town Film And Broadcast Industry Set To Score In 2010

2010-02-18

Just over a year ago the Cape Film Commission set off on an ambitious strategy to position Cape Town and the Western Cape as a globally competitive film industry destination.

This strategy evolved around a number of key projects which the CFC implemented over the course of the past 12 months. These projects included amongst other the setting up of the Cape Town locations web portal which in real time provides you with access to various locations throughout Cape Town and the Western Cape.
 

In addition the establishment of the Locations Guild has gone a long way to ensure that the service offering in this sector is on an international standard and that we are able to compete with the best location professionals throughout the world.  
 

The CFC has also invested quite heavily in training and development of the industry as well as launching the Animation Academy at False Bay College out in Khayelitsha. 
 

In a recent frank interview with the CEO of the CFC, Laurence Mitchell, he clearly sounded optimistic in stating that “Cape Town and the Western Cape has become a global film industry destination and that 2010 will be a crucial year during which we will have to up our game as the rest of the world’s eyes will be focused on us”.
 

“We have often been told that we are too ambitious and lack the necessary skills and infrastructure. However it has now become apparent that indeed we have the capacity to sustain this status of having developed into a global film destination/ industry”.
 

Cape Town and the Western Cape has now become the home of Hollywood and Bollywood films in South Africa. During the past year a number of big film productions and commercials were shot in our Province. 
 

Notably amongst these is the film “Invictus”, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman and Mat Damon. Invictus will premier in December 2009 and centers around the 1995 Rugby World Cup and how Former President Mandela and Francois Pienaar played significant roles in uniting a post Apartheid South Africa. 
 

This film was by far one of the biggest we’ve had to date in South Africa and at least 70% of all productions took place in Cape Town. 
 

Cape Town has also become home to the lucrative Bollywood film production market.
 

One of the biggest Bollywood productions during 2009 was “No Problem” a Bollywood police action movie with stars such as Anil Kapoor (Slum Dog Millionaire), Sanjay Dutt and Suneel Shetty. 
 

Currently in production in Cape Town is another big budget film, “Laconia” which is based on the sinking of this luxury cruise ship during World War 2 by a German submarine.
 

On a recent set visit in Table Bay Harbor, Laurence Mitchell, highlighted the fact that the Cape Town production budget of “Laconia” was well over R60 million and that 61 shooting days throughout various locations in Cape Town amounted to close to 30 000 working man days which involved crew, cast, extras, labourers, set builders, caterers, casuals and painters.
 

“The local production company, Two Oceans Productions, assured me that all the services, suppliers, equipment hire and materials were sourced locally in Cape Town,” Mr. Mitchell said. 
 

We recently were able to attract Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton as part of an international commercial production. Mr. Mitchell stated that this by far has been one of the biggest productions and he was impressed by the high service level standards which our local production company’s displayed. 
 

In just over a week Cape Town will play host to the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup Final Draw at the CTICC.
 

We expect close to 300 broadcasters from across the world and thousands of journalists in our City. Already there has been a huge demand from broadcasters to be based in Cape Town and the Western Cape.
 

The CFC has successfully facilitated the presence of BBC in Cape Town for 6 weeks prior and during the 2010 SWC. The BBC will have their main presentation studio in Cape Town.
 

This is one of the single most significant marketing opportunities which the CFC has been able to facilitate; The BBC will televise live 32 games and this will be presented from their studio in Cape Town, giving at least 200 million viewers a view of Table Mountain, The Waterfront, Cape Town Stadium and Robben Island.
 

Following further discussions the BBC News will also be transmitted live from Cape Town, BBC History Channel, BBC Radio, BBC Africa and BBC Online Services will all be based in Cape Town.
 

To this end the BBC will procure services from local production companies, accommodation and other related broadcast services.
 

In addition as part of the legacy elements the BBC will directly employ at least 20 PDI’s to work as production assistants.
 

The CFC will be showcasing our broadcast production services, studio editing facilities and equipment and gear houses at an exhibition during the World Broadcasters meeting on the 7th December 2009 at the CTICC. At least 300 broadcasters from across the world will be exposed to the production and service capabilities of the film industry in Cape Town.
 

2010 has provided us with a huge opportunity to showcase our services and production capabilities. 
 

Issued by the Cape Film Commission

For further information please contact:
 

Linton Rensburg

Media, Communications & 2010 Project Manager

0825080990
 

Laurence Mitchell

CEO

0834131021