Matthew Jankes

Hi Jamie, I submitted work I had shot and directed mostly, I think there was one film on there that had been directed by someone else. I'm also not sure what the NFTS looks for in an applicant. What I do know for sure is that getting there is hard, I went last year for a Directing interview and never got further. I'm also pretty sure the other 15 people who'll be on the workshop are all talented and show enormous potential. So I'm really just happy I'll get to spend three days bouncing ideas with these guys and gals and hopefully more comes of it. Stephen man I watched some of your shorts, they are the Rivington films stuff right? Jamie what was the majority of your reel, had u studied somewhere else before this, or where they films shot on the fly with friends? Anyway, to all going to the workshop I really look forward to meeting u, it should be alot of fun and good learning experience if nothing else...also I'm South African, so Im quite keen so see how you British folk look at cinematography... Oh, stephen, any word on what kit we will need? I arrive in the UK the day before, and I know from past experience I can't take dust off and such stuff with. I also have the worst stocked kit bag in the world anyway...

Hi All, I got a call today from the NFTS asking me to attend a 3day workshop at the school in just over 2 weeks. I'm told 16 people are offered a chance to come, but only 8 get offered a shot at the actual MA course. I'm from South Africa and have little to no experience of foreign graduate school systems and the way they evaluate potential candidates. Can anyone please give me some info on what to expect at this workshop, what they are looking for, and any tips or pointers. I'll be flying in all the way from SA so really cannot afford to mess up this chance... I'd be so grateful for any information, cheers

Thanx for the advice, I'll prob go with the Cavasion cause it its not perfect at least I haven't spent an arm and a leg on it...

Its not easy to say, different things will cost different amounts. But clearly don't ever pull out a wod of cash, cause they'll take you for whatever they can. You need to have little amounts available, and never let them see where the money is coming from. Usually, and of course this is all generalisations, have around 50-100 US available per day, especially travel days or days when you go through government agencies, basically if you need a service rendered by a governent agency in any way, you will have to pay bribes ie. permits etc. . You might also need to convert into their currency, or they may take a lot less cause its in US Dollars, just play it by ear. You get hit more on the roads and in cities than say out in the bush. Also its not aggressive, its just business, so you can barter. See what he asks for and offer him half, don't be rude but don't be a push over either, play it like you know the drill and none of this fazes you. Hopefully you won't have to bribe anyone and that extra money can be put back into budget... Good luck man, you'll be fine and before long it will seem ordinary... The only country in Africa where you don't have to do business like that is South Africa, otherwise thats how it goes - in my experience anyway... Do you have a local liason in each country?

Bribe money, that is how business is done in Central and West Africa, from clearing your gear through customs to attaining police protection. Im really not joking, you need to budget a per day allowance for the various bribes and payoffs you will need to make. Generally they will want it in US Dollars, so make sure you have some handy...

I find they can be the most helpful or the most painful things in the world, depending on a variety of situations. If I haven't seen the location I use them as a flexible device to remind me of the type of shots I wanted, but I'm more than prepared to adjust to get the best results out of the location. I always have boards for any type of action or visual effects scene. Most of all I find that they serve as a safety blanket when a shoot starts to get very hectic. I film in South Africa, sometimes we are shooting 8 pages of script a day in like 7 locations, those boards help me to remember what I wanted when my head starts to spin out of control. But boards should never prevent you from trusting your gut and finding shots on the day.... It also depends on style, handheld aggressive styles are far less condusive to boards than slow, progessive and meticulous framing... Thats my feeling anyway...

Hi all, I want to buy a director's viewfinder, but sadly I live in South Africa and there is no chance of testing any product before I buy it - will have to order online and have it shipped. I've been reading up on them, hearing vastly different accounts of all the options. I have roughly $300 to spend, what is a decent option for that amount? I see the Cavasion finders are the cheapest, but i'm reading horror stories about how inaccurate they really are, like the 20mm setting is actually closer to a 30mm. The Mark versions seem great, but sadly out of my price range. Can anyone gimme some tips as to the best brands, etc. I really need a fast tool to communicate with my DP regarding lens choices, framing and angle; plus I would like the chance to explore without stepping on the camera crews toes and asking them for the camera all the time. I'd also like it for pre-prod, so an adapter finder doesn't really suit my needs. I work on a variety of formatts, s16mm, 35mm, HDV, HD and now the Red One. I would also like to get one where I can adjust the aspect ratio, although if it comes down to it that is one option I can live without. Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks