So far, I’ve had four weeks of vacation, with just one week left. My fourth (and final) term at AFDA officially starts again next week, Monday the 7th of October. An update on what I’ve been up to: WEEK 1 It’s my first week of vacation, and I’m tired after a busy (but short) third …
WEEK 1 MONDAY It’s the new week, and after an incredibly stressful weekend sorting out issues with my brother and his family, I am ready to jump back into my studies. TUESDAY We have a Zoom session with Dr. Semege, but I am unable to join as I have a chiropractor appointment in Port Elizabeth. …
Vicki Fourie – also known as Vix or Vicki Kricki to her family – is 35 years old. She was born in Bloemfontein and spent most of her life in the Free State. Vicki’s major for this year is screenwriting. WHY AFDA? Last year, I applied to 10 universities, and all rejected me – except …
The following components were needed for the Writing Treatment for our Honours Film: 1. Research and generate in writing an Engaging Narrative Concept for the screenplay 2. Generate in writing visible and dynamic Event Development for the Narrative 3. Research and generate in writing relevant and credible Character Development for the Narrative 4. Research and …
Onika Vapi, otherwise known as Onyxx to her friends, is a 23-year-old young woman who hails from Motherwell, Gqebera. Her major for this year is Character Design and Styling, with a minor in Production Design. STUDYING AT AFDA Onika’s reason for studying at AFDA GQ was because of its location. ‘It was the closest school …
I ended my last newsletter by stating my plans for the July holidays. I had a list of things that I wanted to tick off before I left for Russia. I’m so glad that I managed to do all of them (except for writing my second script and watching BBC Maestro). It’s now the end …
Read Part 1 of my travel blog HERE. * Kazan Mall & Photoshoot It’s the beginning of our second week in Kazan, and we go to another mall. We eat at the most amazing restaurant again, which is called Milovita Organic Kitchen. We each order a pasta on the menu (spaghetti bollonnaise, lasagne, etc.). We …
From 2021 to 2022, my sister Zoë and her husband Ryno worked as teachers in Vietnam. Last year, they wanted a change of country – and colder weather – so they moved to Kazan, Tatarstan, in Russia. My mother visited them last year, and she returned with wonderful stories of how she experienced the country. …
At the beginning of this year, I wrote a short film called ‘Read My Lips’, and it focused on the art of lipreading and just how difficult it really is. It made me think of my own life and the significant role that lipreading played in it. I wrote this essay and submitted it to …
Chulumanco Pakade is known as Chulu to his friends and Chusta to his family. He was born in East London but raised in the heart of Queenstown. Chulu’s major for this year is live performance. ACTING QUALIFICATION Before coming to AFDA to get his acting degree, Chulu already had a diploma in acting. This proved …
As part of my Honours studies, I have to write a 30-page research paper on a topic of my choice. It also has to be connected to the film industry in some way. I did my first PowerPoint presentation in front of my peers and lecturers during the first term, and my second one this …
Seraya Eve Mentor is a 22-year-old young lady who comes from Windhoek, Namibia. Nicknamed ‘Ray’, her major for this year is producing, with a minor in screenwriting. AFDA STUDENT Seraya decided to study at AFDA because she is ‘passionate about film’ and decided at the last minute to apply. She loves studying at AFDA. ‘Here …
WEEK 6 MONDAY I arrive early on campus, only to find out that our conceptual VALA’s aren’t scheduled for this morning, but only this afternoon at 14:30. Conceptual VALA’s are where we present the concept for our short film in front of a panel of experts. I spend the morning updating my May newsletter for …
Today is a special day for Stella Waithira Mbiyu. It’s her birthday, and we celebrate her 24th year on this planet. Stella was born and raised in the rural town of Ng’araria, which is located in Murang’a County, Kenya. Her major outcome for this year is cinematography and her minor is data & colour grading. …
As part of my Honours studies at AFDA, I had to write a 3,000 word narrative forms analysis based on the film Hiroshima, Mon Amour (1959). * HIROSHIMA, MON AMOUR Narrative Forms Vicki Fourie “Narratology isn’t just about what’s being told—it’s about how it’s told and why it resonates.” (Crawford, M., 2024) When we look …