18 / FEATURE
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING FILM AND RELATED COURSES South Africa has a large number of tertiary institutions, with a fair percentage of these offering film, multi-media, animation and other filmic and related degrees, certificates and courses. Here is a comprehensive list of some of the best-known schools and the areas in which they specialise.
AAA SCHOOL OF ADVERTISING
About: Founded in 1986, AAA is an award-winning institution offering a worldclass curriculum in the advertising professions, with an integrated approach to teaching, incorporating new technologies and new media. Programmes: Copywriting Diploma, Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Creative Brand Communication and Marketing Communication, Strategic Marketing and Advertising Programme, part-time BA Marketing Communication Degree, Foundation Programme, short courses in Marketing and Creative, and e-Learning options. Campuses: Randburg (Johannesburg), Cape Town Website: www.aaaschool.co.za
ACADEMY OF TELEVISION & SCREEN ARTS, ACADEMY OF SOUND ENGINEERING
About: Founded in 1997, ATV and their sister institution ASE, offer unique, cutting-edge programmes in television, film and new evolving forms of screen media. The school has 24-hour access to professional facilities located in the SABC in Johannesburg. Programmes: Higher Certificate in Television and Screen Media, Diploma in Television and Screen Media, Bachelor of Science in Sound Engineering Technology, Diploma in Audio Technology, Higher Certificate in Audio Technology,
www.thecallsheet.co.za
Fundamental Audio Technology Skills Programme, Fundamental Video Technology Skills Programme, Music Business Masterclass Skills Programme, Electronic Music Masterclass Skills Programme, Short Courses, and Pro Tools Courses Head: Nick Matzukis, Founding Director Campuses: Auckland Park (Johannesburg), Cape Town (Zonnebloem) Website: www.ase.co.za | www.screenarts.tv
ACT CAPE TOWN
About: ACT Cape Town was born in 2005 to facilitate the need for actors to grow and be inspired. The school is a private higher education institution, with a vision to become a leading acting for film school in Africa. Includes private coaching, corporate training, kids and teens, and studio hire. Programmes: Two-Year Acting For Film Programme (Higher Certificate & Advanced Certificate – NQF 5-6), Third Year Professional Programme; Part-Time Courses: Acting for Film, Voice and Speech Training; Express Courses: One-Day Accent Training (American, English), One-Day Auditioning for Camera. Head: Alison Hofer (Academic), Grant Swanby (Programme Manager) Campus: Cape Town Website: www. actcapetown.co.za
AFDA: THE SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL OF MOTION PICTURE MEDIUM AND LIVE PERFORMANCE About: Founded in 1994, AFDA currently has around 2 000 students, a permanent staff of over 150, and five fully equipped campuses offering post- and undergraduate courses in film, television, performance, business and computer technology. Programmes: Master of Fine Arts, Postgraduate Bachelor of Arts, Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts, Commerce and Computer Technology, Higher Certificates, AFDA PRO Short Courses in Broadcast Design, Virtual Reality, Transmedia and Screenwriting. Head: Bata Passchier, Co-founder and CEO; Garth Holmes, Cofounder and Chairman Campuses: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Botswana Website: www.afda.co.za
BIG FISH SCHOOL OF DIGITAL FILMMAKING
About: Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking is an awardwinning institution supported by entertainment and media industry giants as well as big business and government. Some 80% of graduates find work in the industry and 20% work on different projects through Big Fish’s Little Pond Trust. Programmes: Full-time Courses: National Certificate in Film and TV Production, FET Certificate: Film, Television and Video Production Operations (NQF4), FET Certificate: Film and Television Production (NQF5), Diploma: Non-Fiction Filmmaking; Short Courses: Production, Technical, Scripting, Short Format, Business Campuses: Auckland Park (Johannesburg); Cape Town (Green Point) Website: www.bigfish.org.za
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)
About: The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is an internationally acclaimed institution with a range of accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Programmes: BTech Multimedia (this is a short-term offer before the BTech degree is replaced by the Advanced Diploma in 2018); BTech and National Diploma in Photography; National Diploma in Film and Video Technology; BTech Industrial Design; National Diploma and
National Diploma (Extended) in Three-Dimensional Design. National Certificate and National Diploma Courses in Multimedia Technology were discontinued in 2016. Head: Dr. Prins Nevhutalu, Vice-Chancellor Campus: Cape Town CBD, Bellville (Cape Town) Website: www.cput.ac.za
CENTRE FOR FINE ART, ANIMATION AND DESIGN (CFAD)
About: CFAD was founded by Nanda Soobben in 1994. The school offers one course integrating the study of Fine Art, Animation and Graphic Design. The Cape Town campus offers a course with a deeper focus on animation and cinematics. Programmes: Drawing, Painting, Animation and Cartooning, Computers, ToonBoon, Design, Digital Design, Multimedia, History of Art, History of Graphic Design, Communication, Broadcast Graphics, Video Editing, Experiential Learning (Internship), Visual Literacy, Cinematography, Storytelling, 3D Modelling, Directing for Animation, Programming, Professional Practice. Head: Dr Nanda Soobben, Director Campuses: Durban, Cape Town Website: www.cfad.co.za | www.cfadcapetown.co.za
CITYVARSITY
About: CityVarsity, the go-to School of Media and Creative Arts, has campuses based in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Its flagship school in Cape Town features state-of-the-art sound, film, acting and photography studios, an infinity wall, dark room, casting rooms and fully equipped labs for animation, multimedia and journalism. Programmes: Bachelor of Arts in Professional Acting for Camera, Diploma in Animation/ Advanced Diploma in Animation and New Media, Bachelor