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 …
Xabiswa Sutukazi Ndodana – nicknamed Xabi to her friends and Manono to her mom – is 21 years old and comes from Kimberly. Her major for this year is screen acting, with a minor in stage acting. UNIVERSITY BURSARY Xabi’s motivation for studying at AFDA all began in Grade 10. ‘AFDA visited my school on …
WEEK 1 MONDAY It’s the start of a brand new term – eight weeks of hustling and grinding at AFDA. I feel well-rested and ready to take on this term. During the holidays, I still had to finish my research proposal and send it in. Done and dusted. I also received feedback regarding my Textual …
Andrina Randeleen – or Leen, as she’s known to her family and friends – is a 90’s baby. Born and bred in Port Elizabeth, she currently lives in Helenvale. Andrina’s major for this year is screenwriting, with a minor in producing. STUDYING AT AFDA The moment Andrina read about AFDA, she just knew it was …
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 …