Character is key
Allison Triegaardt, one of Africa's leading storytelling and creative consultants, was in Namibia last week to meet with local producers to educate on them how to develop their technical skills and transform the way they tell their stories.
Triegaardt was invited by MultiChoice Namibia to participate in the MultiChoice Talent Factory Master classes in Windhoek.
The master class is part of an incubation programme launched by the MultiChoice Talent Factory which is a two-day experience for advanced filmmakers and television practitioners concentrating specifically on character development and TV dramas.
Triegaardt concurred that while many shows attract viewers, the thing that holds the viewers' attention until the very last moment is the character.
“I just think as African filmmakers we don't spend enough time on developing our characters. We are far more focussed on plot. And one of the global trends is a character-driven drama so I think it is important that we focus on that more,” she said.
Triegaardt who interacted with local producers and was exposed to their productions was pleasantly surprised with local content saying standard is “quite high”.
“I think the real frustration at the moment is the lack of opportunity. I think filmmakers and TV producers are starved for opportunity. We also spoke at length about finding a way. So even if there are no formal opportunities available, we live in a digital age. So, if you are not winning at home, try other ways,” said.
Speaking about the 'Zeitgeist' in Namibia Triegaardt observed that Namibians are tired and frustrated but hopeful at the same time.
“And these things are to be portrayed in our stories, so that we don't only unpack the reality but also unpack how to change it for the better. I would say those are two areas we need to develop as well as funding and distribution,” she said.
She highlighted that the South African art industry which is deemed most successful on the continent, too struggles with opportunities.
However, according to Triegaardt the SA arts industry found innovative ways to find ways around their challenges.
“There is a move towards advertiser funded productions. The advertisers themselves are realising that traditional advertising is no longer pulling the response that it used to. Why? We have got PVR now, we are fast-forwarding through ads. So advertiser funded productions are a really good way to both benefit the practitioner and the advertiser,” she said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Triegaardt was invited by MultiChoice Namibia to participate in the MultiChoice Talent Factory Master classes in Windhoek.
The master class is part of an incubation programme launched by the MultiChoice Talent Factory which is a two-day experience for advanced filmmakers and television practitioners concentrating specifically on character development and TV dramas.
Triegaardt concurred that while many shows attract viewers, the thing that holds the viewers' attention until the very last moment is the character.
“I just think as African filmmakers we don't spend enough time on developing our characters. We are far more focussed on plot. And one of the global trends is a character-driven drama so I think it is important that we focus on that more,” she said.
Triegaardt who interacted with local producers and was exposed to their productions was pleasantly surprised with local content saying standard is “quite high”.
“I think the real frustration at the moment is the lack of opportunity. I think filmmakers and TV producers are starved for opportunity. We also spoke at length about finding a way. So even if there are no formal opportunities available, we live in a digital age. So, if you are not winning at home, try other ways,” said.
Speaking about the 'Zeitgeist' in Namibia Triegaardt observed that Namibians are tired and frustrated but hopeful at the same time.
“And these things are to be portrayed in our stories, so that we don't only unpack the reality but also unpack how to change it for the better. I would say those are two areas we need to develop as well as funding and distribution,” she said.
She highlighted that the South African art industry which is deemed most successful on the continent, too struggles with opportunities.
However, according to Triegaardt the SA arts industry found innovative ways to find ways around their challenges.
“There is a move towards advertiser funded productions. The advertisers themselves are realising that traditional advertising is no longer pulling the response that it used to. Why? We have got PVR now, we are fast-forwarding through ads. So advertiser funded productions are a really good way to both benefit the practitioner and the advertiser,” she said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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