I posted this article some weeks ago, but I just felt that it is an interesting read and I would love to share it with my new readers; so I decided to repost it.
The motion picture industry is a multi-billion-dollar business with significant profit revenue and global influence. It is a vehicle for culture and a major driver of economic growth, contributing billions to the world’s economy. Developed countries have recognized film and television industries as vital economic sectors for years now and have worked to develop sustainable and profitable local motion picture industries for themselves. Industries that have contributed to GDP and gave them status power globally. Creative industries in the US added $698 Billion to the US economy by the beginning of 2015 while British creative industries contributed £84.1bn to the UK economy as at January 2016.
Swaziland's film and television industry has had to deal with the complex challenge of creating a sustainable local film and television sector industry for all Swazis. Although the industry has
had various discussions from all major stakeholders about the necessary action that needs to be taken, nothing tangible has really been achieved and the need for further transformation and development in the industry remains. So, how do we really create a local industry that is culturally relevant, self-sustainable, globally competitive and able to contribute significantly to the gross domestic product of the country and continental region?
Like any other industry, there are certain key elements that have to be implemented to ensure the success of the film and TV sector. As a matter of fact, it is evident that all sectors of the industry have an integral role to play to build a sustainable local film and television industry. First of all, the industry needs willing and able active participants that will directly work as part of the film and TV sector. These are creative and business minded individuals that make up the labour market of the industry. They work in different fields as filmmakers and TV professionals, whether creatively or corporately. I don't just mean writers, director and producers; but designers, marketers, distributors and many more as well. We have seen a number of these people currently present in the country, mostly working independently and freelance. This tells us that there is definitely a huge interest in the industry and a secure market for it.
Like any other industry, there are certain key elements that have to be implemented to ensure the success of the film and TV sector. As a matter of fact, it is evident that all sectors of the industry have an integral role to play to build a sustainable local film and television industry. First of all, the industry needs willing and able active participants that will directly work as part of the film and TV sector. These are creative and business minded individuals that make up the labour market of the industry. They work in different fields as filmmakers and TV professionals, whether creatively or corporately. I don't just mean writers, director and producers; but designers, marketers, distributors and many more as well. We have seen a number of these people currently present in the country, mostly working independently and freelance. This tells us that there is definitely a huge interest in the industry and a secure market for it.
We then need training and skills development for the labour market. For any industry to run effectively and efficiently, there are certain professional skills and standards that must be acquired and maintained, and that is what education and training programs provide. Swaziland currently only has one institution that provides training in film and television, while the rest of the population is left to either enrol in schools outside the country or do on the job training. Even so, this one university does not, and cannot cater for the entire industry on its own. We still don't have proper acting or costume design and make for film & TV courses in the country. The Ministry of Education together with the various training institutions need to start providing more platforms for people looking to get qualified in film and television.
Capacity, as we know, is vital for any industry to develop and become sustainable. Capacity is determined by resources, of which financial capital is a major factor. No business or industry is capable of running on a negative balance, and yet the film industry in Swaziland is expected to do so on a daily basis. There is currently no financial investment being injected into the industry and the government as well as financial institutions in the country seem reluctant to realise that the industry is a professional sector that could potentially become a major contributor to the economy. Filmmakers are forced to constantly deep into their own pockets while other industries such as Agriculture, Science, Business and Health are financially supported each and everyday. There needs to be government grants, bank loans, private instituted funds...there needs to be proper investment in order for the sector to function properly.
Capacity, as we know, is vital for any industry to develop and become sustainable. Capacity is determined by resources, of which financial capital is a major factor. No business or industry is capable of running on a negative balance, and yet the film industry in Swaziland is expected to do so on a daily basis. There is currently no financial investment being injected into the industry and the government as well as financial institutions in the country seem reluctant to realise that the industry is a professional sector that could potentially become a major contributor to the economy. Filmmakers are forced to constantly deep into their own pockets while other industries such as Agriculture, Science, Business and Health are financially supported each and everyday. There needs to be government grants, bank loans, private instituted funds...there needs to be proper investment in order for the sector to function properly.
The industry needs to be protected and regulated by law. At the present moment, the film industry in Swaziland is running on freelance mode and no one is taking responsibility for its operations. Yes, it has been placed under the ICT ministry and there various associations formed with intent to help develop the industry and look after filmmakers' interests, but we haven't really seen much effectiveness. Where is the copyright bill? What are the terms and regulations of content distribution? What are the requirements of working on an international collaboration? What about payment and salaries of workers in the industry, who determines that? It is clear that the law in Swaziland is not created to run a sustainable film industry and there are major loopholes that still need to be addressed.
Lastly we need a secure consumer market. Entertainment has been a huge demand for a lot of individuals and households for many years. Majority people in the country, especially in the sub-urban and urban areas, spend a significant amount of their income on entertainment. So there is absolutely no doubt that the market exists. However, due to lack of local content, that revenue has mostly gone out to foreign businesses. Motion picture is a huge vehicle for culture and a major medium for information distribution. Therefore, there is no doubt that Swaziland has a significant and secure consumer market for film and TV. Local filmmakers must create quality local content and understand the needs and wants of the broader Swazi audiences.
The American industry supports 1.9 million American workers every single day – writers, costume designers, make-up artists, stuntmen, set designers, lighting technicians, as well as the people who collect tickets and sell popcorn at local cinemas. A well built film industry comes with a lot of opportunities; from the creation of jobs to increased gross domestic product and global influence. However, it also requires a contribution from all economic sectors of the country. The business & financial sector, the law sector, the education sector, as well as the creative media & technology sector all need to work together to ensure the creation of a relevant, sustainable, competitive and profitable film and TV industry.
The American industry supports 1.9 million American workers every single day – writers, costume designers, make-up artists, stuntmen, set designers, lighting technicians, as well as the people who collect tickets and sell popcorn at local cinemas. A well built film industry comes with a lot of opportunities; from the creation of jobs to increased gross domestic product and global influence. However, it also requires a contribution from all economic sectors of the country. The business & financial sector, the law sector, the education sector, as well as the creative media & technology sector all need to work together to ensure the creation of a relevant, sustainable, competitive and profitable film and TV industry.
great article Noncedo. more people need to see this, you should try set up a twin column published in one of the local dailies.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading Mlaba. Your suggestion will definitely be taken into consideration and if possible, I'll publish something on the newspapers on a regular.
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