How a South African film studio is taking on Hollywood

2 March, 2018 - 08:04

South Africa is emerging as a big player in the global film business and behind the countrys blockbuster boom is Cape Town Film Studios (CTFS). The CFTS nestled just out from town in charming, rural surroundings has become a sought-after destination for filmmakers around the world. By Munachim Amah, Earl Nurse and Tanni Deb

Their game plan is simple: aim to be a world-class facility.

You must aim like a world-class once in a lifetime facility, Nico Dekker, CEO of Cape Town Film Studios, says. Something that will make people from across the world say, Well, you wont believe when you get to Africa. You wont believe what youre going to see there.

In 2016 to 2017 South Africas film industry contributed R5.4 billion (approximately $464 million) to the countrys GDP, according to a report commissioned by the countrys National Film and Video Foundation.

Dekker took over the leadership of Cape Town Film Studios in 2008, and in 2010 opened its doors for business.

He said he was motivated by a long term view of what he wanted the studios to look like. Dekker wanted to attract business and contribute to the countrys growth.

You need to have a very long term view and also remember that the studio is only a catalyst, Dekker said in an interview with CNN.

The studio itself, the physical high-end investment, is not going to make you money. But its the ripple effect around it. The businesses you could attract.

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Cape Town Film Studios has successfully attracted big names from Hollywood to South Africa.

Its hosted the production of Safe House (2012) starring Denzel Washington and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) starring Idris Elba. The multi-million dollar complex continues to place South Africa on the map of global filmmaking.

Their most recent production, an American television series Black Sails, involved creating island scenery and ships. Dekker described the experience as both daunting and defining for the team.

To bring Black Sails to our country with the help of wonderful South African producers and people was the turning point. Because we realized if we take a show like Black Sails, its the first high-end show to come to Africa for a long-term basis.

The facility is fully booked until 2020 and unfortunately has to turn work away, Dekker said in an interview with Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

For an industry known primarily for entertainment, Cape Town Film Studios boasts of doing much more in terms of creating employment and contributing to the economys growth.

Overall, I think investment to date of production thats used at the studio is over about R3 billion (about $250 million), Dekker told CNN. Also, productions at work here and also outside the studio employed about 70,000 people to date.

www.cnn.com

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