From beautiful and varied locations to technical expertise and friendly people, De Vries had high praise for the George Municipality ,who was also supportive when he shot one of his first movies in George. An up-beat De Vries applauded the George Municipality for setting up a two-day workshop with a dynamic facilitating organisation like the Cape Film Commission. The municipality brought the Film Commission CEO Denis Lillie to George.
He is well connected and in the commission's existence has he built up an extensive database of service providers and has become a crucial player for the Western Cape Province in the international filming arena.
While addressing the gathering, De Vries said his home town would be ideal for establishing a film school - the Nelson Metropolitan University (NMMU) for one, had the infrastructure to do so. The audience included some seasoned film industry players like film director Hugh Shankland (a member of the Urban family), who has returned from the US to resettle in Herold's Bay.
De Vries' film Scapegoat, a story about a goat in a township, was an instant hit with audiences at the 168 Festival in Hollywood in August last year, winning both awards it was nominated for, namely, 'Best Comedy' and 'Best Comedy Screenplay' (see story elsewhere). De Vries, who is a co-owner of his own Cape Town film production company TH Films, is making his next feature film. Like most people in the industry he is keeping mum about it, other than to say that it is due to be released this year still.
Another inspirational speaker at the workshop, Denis Lillie, said there were many factors in favour of making the Western Cape even more popular than it is for filming. The French film government has introduced some restrictive legislation, which would make our province more attractive. For international film makers, the low rand and lower labour costs ensure that it is cheaper to make films here.
"The industry is complex and pitching your project to the right industry players internationally is cardinal." He elaborated on the multifaceted role that the commission currently plays in training, finance facilitation and networking as well as marketing through film festivals and introductions at ambassadorial levels. Black Sails, shot in Cape Town, is among the top 50 most popular movies. Tiger House, Abel se Ontwaking, Book of Negroes, Dominion and Children of the Gun as well as The Avengers: Age of Ultron are examples of movies that have brought a much needed boost into the South African economy.
In his welcoming speech, Municipal Manager Trevor Botha said the George Municipality hopes to help facilitate the start of a recording studio in George and maintain a partnership with the Film Commission and National as well as Provincial Department of Arts and Culture. Creating jobs and a direct income for George is of utmost importance.
Carli Bunding-Venter (LED George Municipality) and Cape Film Commission CEO Denis Lillie at the film industry network session held at the banquet hall on Monday.
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