As part of my Honours studies at AFDA, I had to write a 2,500 word textual analysis based on the film Locke (2013), with Tom Hardy as the main (and only) protagonist. * LOCKE Textual Analysis Vicki Fourie The term “cultural studies” was first established by Raymond Williams and Richard Hoggart, two British English Literature professors, in …
Ayathandwa Asher Nakuphi – otherwise known as just Asher – is a 23-year-old young man who comes from Humansdorp. He grew up in Alice, where Nelson Mandela went to university. His major for this year is screen acting, with a minor in stage acting. FREE ARTIST Asher feels most like himself when he is creating, …
WEEK 8 MONDAY Only two weeks to go until the first term is done and dusted. It’s Monday, and I’m working from home again. The first five weeks of the term were crazy with all the driving back and forth and coming in every day. But the second half has been better-paced because I only had to …
Daniel Lottering is a 22-year-old man originally from Qumbu and Mthatha but now hails from East London. Daniel has many nicknames: Daniel Son, Danny, Dan, Dan the Man, and D (some even call him ‘Brian’ – his second name). Daniel’s major for this year is editing, with a minor in VFX. MANY TALENTS Daniel is …
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 proposal PowerPoint presentation in front of my peers and lecturers during the first term. I only had 15 minutes, …
Siphumeze Tase – otherwise known as Speech – was born in Umtata but comes from East London. His major for this year is screenwriting. TRAVEL DREAMS Speech has big dreams. One of his dreams is to travel to the UK – during Wimbledon, of course. ‘I’m a huge fan of tennis; I played in high …
WEEK 4 MONDAY It’s the beginning of a new month. New day, new challenges. We have a Group/Crew meeting on the two concepts. Speech sends us a Group message via WhatsApp: ‘I am going with Vicki’s concept as I think it will give us a challenge, a challenge that will make us all better at …
Zisandra Rose Gushu – or simply Zaza as she’s known to her peers – recently turned twenty-six. Born in Port Elizabeth, she grew up on the coastal streets of Jeffreys Bay. She is doing her Honours this year at AFDA, and she’s majoring in sound design. PRECIOUS MEMORIES When I ask Zaza about the most …
My Major at AFDA is Writing, which means I have to take screen writing classes and write scripts this year. My first assignment for this year was to write a 5-minute script while following the ‘The ETB Structure.’ * *
Luthando Tshaka – better known as LT – is a 25-year-old young man who did his undergraduate degree at Cape Town’s AFDA. He grew up in Kariega (Uitenhage), and his major this year is music, with a minor in sound design. UNIQUE HERITAGE LT comes from the Hlongwane clan Matiwane, which is said to have …
Last year, I applied to study for the Bachelor of Creative Writing at AFDA in Gqueberha (Port Elizabeth). I was accepted, but then I was told that the degree had been postponed to 2025 due to various reasons. I was greatly disappointed, for this is something I’ve wanted to study since I finished high school years …
Last week, I read a beautiful, powerful, and haunting work of fiction written by Hannah Kent. ‘Burial Rites’ tells the story of Agnes, a servant in northern Iceland who was condemned to death after the murder of two men. Agnes was also the last woman executed in Iceland in 1829. This book made me realize, …
A few weeks ago, I attended a gathering of believers. For the first time in my life, I was acutely aware of just how out of place I really was. It was highly uncomfortable, and I knew I didn’t belong at all. It wasn’t the race, culture, or even the language that was different. All …
This previous weekend, I went on a getaway with a group of 260+ people to Eersterivier, in the Western Cape. There were approximately 180 adults, 20 teenagers, 40 children, and 20 toddlers in total. We were all divided into three groups: those that stayed in houses, those that camped, and then the teenagers were placed …
Met ‘n sleutel in my hand Staan ek by die deur van my hart. Oopgesluit en oopgestoot Stap ek in en gaan voort. Ek ontdek ‘n hart van groen Alles het gegroei en gegroei. My gedagtes en ervaringe Is vars en nuut opgegrawe. Daar is ‘n stilte wat my omvou ‘n Rustigheid soos …