Excitement in the air!

With only a few days to go until the workshop in Khayelitsha ends, the group is planning their schedule for the World Cup.

So far they’ve divided themselves into four production companies, with one covering Delft, two covering Khayelitsha and one covering Gugulethu. Today they’re deciding on the types of content they’ll produce and the dates when they’ll deliver.

This week has focused almost exclusively on editing, so watch out for lots more finished content hitting the net over the coming days. The AYK boys (Ambitious Youth of Khayelitsha) filmed a Saturday night out in a ‘shabeen’, which is basically a township bar. They came back with brilliant footage of them dancing, drinking, laughing and being chatted up out front by lovely local ladies. The finished film resembles a township version of a reality TV show, and the guys have enlisted the help of their female counterparts to write and record the voice-over script, narrating the story of the boys night out.

Internet superstars are emerging: Pelisa and Bokiwe are utterly engaging presenters, heading up life-style pieces, which take us right inside these communities. Ntombi, Bokiswa and Zintle are equally arresting and have a style, at this stage, that is more tailored for news.

Piwe and Mendile have found a niche in producing match reports. However, as we’re nowhere near any soccer stadium, the guys are working together to figure out to report on a game using the reactions of those watching, rather than what is actually on the screen. To see if they manage to pull it off, stay tuned.

Thulani, a student from the past two workshops, is excelling in editing, and spent part of yesterday writing the voice-over for Terra and Bafana’s match report, South Africa versus Guatemala, shot in Gugulethu the night before. A great writer, Thulani sums up the critical moments with the flair of a professional. Naturally, it helps to have our tutor, Lukhanyo critiquing, a professional sports journalist with many years experience at South Africa’s equivalent of Channel 4,  eTV.

Manez, Mbo, Bora and the other Delft guys took us to the Italian House, a nightclub in Delft, which I’m now desperate to visit! The music is pumping, the crowd, rocking and according to interviews with bouncers and car guards outside, the place is pretty well secured. Bokiwe showed us around, dancing with the peeps and chatting to the ladies. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I wouldn’t be surprised if others, like me, make their way to this funky spot after seeing this programme. I was very pleased to hear this is only the first in the Delft production company’s planned series - World Cup Nightlife

Gotta go as I’m rushing back to Khayelitsha now to critique the latest films before they go onto zoopy.com/worldfilmcollective

BTW – we’re still struggling with computers, so any old rejects, please let us know [email protected]

This is me signing off. Back soon