Dear Colleague

The Commercial Producers Association and the South African Association of Stills Producers have asked me to host a meeting with locations professionals in Cape Town. The purpose of this meeting would be to discuss problems you have encountered this past season in order for me to bring these problems up with the relevant authorities and find solutions within the next couple of months before next season.

It is very important to me that I get as much feedback as possible from all of you in order to successfully lobby the City, the Province and private location owners.

I was a Unit Location Manager myself and I know that mostly we hate attending meetings, but this is your opportunity to air your views on how things should be changed before next season, I get to deal with the Producer’s frustrations on a daily basis, so I am aware of many of the problems, but your position deals with the core of the problem and I am certain many of you have possible solutions that have not yet been explored.

I believe the only way we are going to solve the multitude of challenges we face in this department is by working together on solutions.

I would like to invite all Scouts, Unit Managers, Location Managers and Stills Production Managers to please join us:

Date:
Monday 28 May

Venue: 
The Cape Milner Hotel
2a Milner Road
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town

Time:   10h00 – 12h00

Please be so kind as to send an RSVP to rudiriek@omail.co.za by Wednesday 23 May,  in order for us to get the correct size conference room booked.

I hope to see you all there

Warm Regards

The South African Association of Stills Producers (SAASP) has appointed Rudi Riek as the new head of the organization.

Rudi is a locations expert who has over 17 years experience in the region’s film and television      industry, particularly as one of Cape Town’s most successful and respected Unit Location Managers. With clear insight into the related roles of government, the industry and the community around the film production process, Rudi has been consulting to SAASP and the Commercial Producers Association (CPA) on locations-related issues since 2011, and has made great strides in the past year towards making Cape Town specifically a more film friendly City.

Locations-related problems have been at the forefront of many of the difficulties production companies face in recent years, and the move to employ Rudi on a full time basis to deal with SAASP’s affairs is a conscious decision made by the SAASP membership to continue the momentum of recent successes that have arisen from work directly with the City of Cape Town line departments, as well as other locations stakeholders.

SAASP currently has 22 production company members as well as a growing number of associated members that are private Locations Agencies. SAASP promotes and develops the Stills Production sector, which contributes over R600 million to the local economy annually, and encourages more production companies and other associated businesses with a stake in the viability and sustainability of the Stills sector to join.

The SAASP executive committee for 2012 / 2013 has also recently been appointed and is as follows:

Caryn Van Wyk: Steel Productions
Robert McClelland: 2 productions
Gavin Levy: Cape Town Productions
Graeme Allan: Prinz Productions
Jeroen Vuyk: Kaap Film, TV, Stills Production

The South African Association of Stills Producers will continue to play a central role, coordinating and rallying the Stills Sector so that the product offering our clients will experience here is as comprehensive and as cost-effective as possible. Over the last decade, SAASP has frequently tackled issues that affect the Stills Production sector, and collectively sought proactive solutions. The organization has tackled rates and permits, locations and services, labour and immigration issues, and has engaged proactively and positively with the tourism sector, the environmental sector and the City and Provincial infrastructures, to ensure that when international clients choose to work in South Africa, their production experience is absolutely first rate.

As you are all aware the CFC has called for interested parties to attend an open meeting to voice concerns regarding locations. If you do decide to attend this session, herewith a few talking points. These are largely drawn from the 18 Point Location Manifesto of December 2007, none of which have been resolved with any degree of satisfaction since that time. You could ask why the Film Commission has not attended to these points in four years, in spite of our numerous requests that it do so. If the Commissioner says he has been addressing them, then why has he done so without consultation and while alienating the industry and its associations?

Talking points :

·     DETERMINE STATUS QUO OF ALL EXISTING FILM MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

·     WITHDRAW OF THE RIGHT OF DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE UP THEIR OWN RULES

·     CANCEL ALL “RULES” NOT PRESCRIBED WITHIN BY-LAWS

·     SUSPEND NEIGHBOURHOOD NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

·     PLAN CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP

·      ALLOW OVERTIME OF PERMIT OFFICERS & OTHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING PERMISSION

·      CREATE UNEQUIVOCAL POSITION STATEMENT ON FILM-FRIENDLINESS

·      CONDUCT VIGOROUS LOCAL PR

·      INTRODUCE CHANNELING OF FEES TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

·      UPGRADE FILM OFFICE

·      SCRAP “EACH PERMIT WILL BE JUDGED ON MERIT”

·      IMPROVE FILM PERMIT OFFICE

·      PROVIDE STAFF TRAINING

·      INTRODUCE BLANKET PERMIT FOR MICROSHOOTS

·      CLARIFY RULES Re. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OFFICERS

·      INTRODUCE DEDICATED TRAFFIC OFFICERS

We, the Film Industry of the Western Cape and the broader business community allied thereto and which supplies the industry, generating enormous revenue for the Province, support the call by the CPA and SAASP to the Mayor of Cape Town and the Premier of the Western Cape to urgently address bureaucratic barriers to the industry’s access to viable locations to be utilised in the industry. This industry, the support businesses allied thereto, and its employment which is substantial and the livelihoods sustained by the industry, are directly dependent upon urgent address and attention being given to this very salient and material matter.

We furthermore entrust the CPA and SAASP to interface directly with Government on the resolution of this issue as their members are responsible for sourcing and securing the work which drives the industry.

We are and remain of the considered opinion, given our history and experience with the Cape Film Commission in matters similar to this, that it be excluded from our engagement process with Government at this stage, primarily in that it is not proportionately representative of the industry at all and the role players at large, and regrettably lacks the necessary knowledge, skill and / or expertise to be able to efficiently and accurately advise the Provincial / Local Government on matters germane to our industry. Our experience with the Cape Town Film Commission, when we have attempted to engage it meaningfully in matters which are material, unfortunately leads to many representations which are sadly left unfulfilled, resulting in the imposition of further bureaucratic barriers which prevent us from carrying out our industry in an efficient and appropriate manner. Under the supervisory authority of the Cape Film Commission, the availability and access to locations in the Western Cape has dramatically decreased, the aforesaid bureaucratic hurdles imposed on production have increased exponentially and the threat to the very livelihoods which are dependent upon the film industry is now at a critical stage.

Demand Change! Click here to: SIGN THE PETITION!

The following protest marches that have been permitted in the Cape Town CBD.

1)      Thursday 25 August 2011  – IMATU  – permission has granted for a protest march from:
Keizersgracht to the Civic Centre via Keizersgracht St – Tennant St – Oswald Pirow St – left onto the road leading to the station deck, where  memoranda will be handed over to our Executive Mayor and the CEO of SALGA.
The protesters will gather from 10:00 and start marching at 11:00.The memoranda will be handed over at 12:00.
Some of the protesters will disperse from the station deck, to either the station or back into the Civic Centre and the remainder of protesters will be escorted back to Keizersgracht where approximately 4 buses and some private cars will be parked, to disperse no later than 14:00
Approximately 1400 participants are expected.

2 )   Friday 26 August 2011 – Islamic Unity Convention – permission was granted for an annual Quds Day March from:
Keizersgracht to Provincial Parliament in Wale Street to hand over memoranda to the Premier and a representative of the office of the Presidency. Starting at 14:30 to hand over memorandums at 15:15 in Wale Street.
The protesters will disperse at Keizersgracht by no later than 16:00.
Approximately 500 participants are expected.

On Wednesday, SAASP and the CPA are meeting Councillor Grant Pascoe, who has taken over the film sector portfolio from Felicity Purchase.

Please click the link for our Stills & TVC Economic Overview regarding the economic impacts of stills and tv commercials on the Cape Town economy.

The City of Cape Town`s Economic and Human Development Department, INCLUDING THE FILM PERMIT OFFICE, has relocated to:

14th Floor, Main Tower, Standard Bank Building, 2 Heerengracht, corner Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore as from 30 May 2011.

NEW FILM PERMIT OFFICE CONTACT NUMBERS
The new office number for the CTFPO are as follows:

• Film Permit Office: 021 417 4025
• Fax2email: 086 576 1933

Please note: All previous / existing telephone and fax numbers will be inactive.

For more information, email: film.permit@capetown.gov.za.

The City of Cape Town Online Film Location Booking System will be re-activated on 4 July 2011.

All the previous bugs have been fixed, further enhancements made and, in accordance with requests from industry that the re-activation occurs during the off-season, the system the online system will be operational as from 4 July 2011. The old fax-driven manual system will be phased out shortly. The switch-off date for the old manual system will be communicated to industry in advance.

Production Companies, individuals or any other entities wishing to use the new online system must register as a Production Company and/or user on the CTFPO online Film Location Booking System. This will allow production companies, location professionals and other industry users access to the online Film Location Booking System.

All registrations by production companies, locations professionals, etc. successfully processed during the previous (August 2010) launch are still valid and remain on the system.
You are however encouraged to check that your registration information/details are correct and current.

To access the Online Film Location Booking System use the following urls:

Go to Filming and Permits page: (and then click on Online Film Location Booking System)

Go directly to Online Film Location Booking Login page:

To access the “How to use the Online Film Permit System” downloadable manual please click to: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Pages/Filmingpermits.aspx

Please Note:
The City of Cape Town Film Permit Office currently has 2 registration processes, viz.

a) Registration as a Production Company or entity wishing to engage in film-related activity. This allows production companies, individuals or any other entities undertake film-related activity and be registered as a business partner with the City. This registration must be renewed annually. Click here to access the production company registration documentation.

b) Registration as a Production Company and/or user on the CTFPO online Film Location Booking System. This allows production companies, location professionals and other industry users access to the online Film Location Booking System. This once-off registration is done online, Click here to register.

FPO COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBERS
All production companies registering to use the online Film Location Booking System (viz. b) above) will be assigned a FPO Company Registration number.

If your company is registering as a production company for the first time, this number will be assigned automatically by the system.

If your company has been registered previously (viz. to use the old manual system), a Company Registration Number has been assigned to your company when the new system went live and would have been sent to you via email.

If You have registered and not received a Company Registration number via email, please contact the CTFPO who will provide you with the number/s. We kindly request that you do so via email (film.permit@capetown.gov.za) as this will ensure we have an updated email address.

Please note that currently there may be more than one number associated with a company due to outdated/historical data, different names/spellings, etc. We will in the interim please verify that the company numbers actually refer to the same company and provide all the numbers associated with a company. We will in due course look at and consider the implications of one company having multiple company numbers. This will be done in consultation with the CFC Locations Sub-Committee.

IMPORTANT:
We will only supply a company registration number to a representative of a company requesting the company registration number for their own company;

We will not supply company registration numbers to freelancers, location scouts, etc. – they must obtain the company registration number from the company on whose behalf they wish to transact – this will ensure that film companies know who is engaging with the CTFPO on their behalf.

For any further information please contact the CTFPO on film.permit@capetown.gov.za.

Could this possibly be the start of a new era of accountability and communication from the CTFPO. Credit where credit’s due – this is more useful information, further in advance, than we’ve ever had the pleasure of before. Let’s hope they sustain it.

CTFPO ALERTS: LIFECYCLE WEEK, CAPE ARGUS CYCLE TOUR, CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL AND EASTER LONG WEEKEND: FILM-RELATED ACTIVITY

The City of Cape Town Film Permitting Office would like to advise on limitations on film-related activity in the City for the periods below. These restrictions are informed by event management and safety and security matters associated with the various high-profile City and regional events.

1. REMINDER: PICK ‘N PAY ARGUS CYCLE TOUR – 13 MARCH 2011
Note: Film-related activity will be restricted on the route and surrounding/impacted areas:
• Saturday, 12th March: 14h00 onward – CBD- Foreshore (near Civic Centre), Green Point
(Beach Road to Green Point Circle)
• Sunday. 13th March -04h00 – 18h30: CBD – Foreshore, Eastern Boulevard, N2/M3,
Boyes Drive, Cape Argus Route around the Peninsula to end point at Cape Town Stadium
precinct.
• Schedule of Road closures attached. (Annexure A)
NB: Roads will be re-opened in stages by Traffic Dept.

2. CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL – 18-19 MARCH 2011
Note: Film-related activity will be restricted on the Carnival route and surrounding/impacted
areas:

• 18 March: – set up; Long Street Precinct – between Castle and Buitensingel, including
various intersecting roads

• 19 March: – Carnival: Long Street Precinct – between Castle and Buitensingel, including
Loop St, Heritage Square, Greenmarket Square and various intersecting roads

3. CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – 21-28 MARCH:
Note: Film-related activity will be restricted in the above areas and surrounding/impacted
areas:
• 21-28 March: Greenmarket Square, CTICC and Cullinan “Square”
• Schedule of Road closures attached (Annexure B)

4. EASTER LONG WEEKEND – 22 – 25 APRIL 2011
The following Events will restrict filming and availability of Traffic Officers
• 21 & 22 April: Two Oceans Marathon and associated events
• National Road Safety Programmes
• Easter Weekend Operations

5. APRIL/MAY PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 27 APRIL, 1st/2nd MAY
Film Permitting Office will be closed on Public Holidays; otherwise normal office hours and
Saturday hours will continue.

STATEMENT TO THE INDUSTRY FROM CPA & SAASP

March 1st 2011

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to inform you of the decision taken last week by the CPA and SAASP to resign our membership and board participation of the Cape Film Commission with immediate effect and also of the mass resignation of our members from the CFC.

This decision was taken as a direct result of the actions of the Film Commission which actively undermines the Industry’s ability to attract work to Cape Town.  In addition to all the other challenges which currently face us – the recession, the strong Rand, the cost of production, competitive territories – our increasing inability to access Cape Town’s much sought after locations is perhaps the biggest threat yet to our industry.  Already the word is spreading amongst international clients that Cape Town has become so film un-friendly that they will be taking their business elsewhere.  Unfortunately many of our clients have experience the problem first hand and this has compromised Cape Town’s reputation as the World’s service destination of choice.

The CPA and SAASP have, over several years, rigorously communicated our concerns regarding this situation with the Cape Film Commission through representation on their Board of Directors.  We have repeatedly asked the CFC to raise this issue with the City & Province and convince them of the severity of the situation.  Unfortunately the CPA and SAASP were prevented from doing this ourselves as communications between the Industry and City/Province had to be directed through the Commission.

Unfortunately the CFC chose to deny this problem and instead concentrated its resources and extensive budget on the easily achievable “nice to haves” – costly award ceremonies and sponsorships, glossy advertising, international marketing trips, elaborate parties and functions.  The location issue was not the only casualty of these ill-advised decisions – the CFC’s self proclaimed “marketing successes” are questionable, the CFC’s corporate governance suffered as did its mandate to drive transformation and training and develop an indigenous film industry within the province.  In addition, the CFC’s indifference continues to pose a threat to the estimated 6000 jobs created by the industry, 70% of which are generated by CPA & SAASP members and their direct suppliers and also the commercial and still’s sector significant contribution to tourism in Cape Town which has been calculated at an additional R150Million per annum.  Ironically these figures were presented in 2006 by the same Film Commission which now chooses to dismiss our concerns.

Another disturbing practice of the CFC is that it appears intent on taking credit for the accomplishments of an Industry in which it has had no involvement in building.  The CFC has used the success of the Industry’s private sector to motivate ever increasing budgets from its funders – the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province – which it then spends irresponsibly in the industry’s name and ostensibly “in the industry’s best interests”.

The CFC ignores the advice of industry representatives on its Board and obstructs the industry’s requirements but then jumps up to claim credit wherever possible.  A good and recent example of this is the positive spin on the location problem put out on Friday by the CFC’s new CEO, Denis Lillie in his newsletter.  Mr Lillie claims full credit for the progress made while, in reality, he has ignored the recommendations of the CFC’s own “Location Sub-Committee”, decided not to renew the short-term contract of a qualified and experienced unit manager appointed to assist production companies with location problems (at the direct request of the CPA and SAASP) and offered up a “3 to 5 year plan” in favour of more urgent solutions.

Positive progress has been made on the location situation in recent weeks thanks to the tireless efforts of the CPA and SAASP representatives on the Board (Skip Margetts, Damon MacDonald, Gavin Levy and CPA Chairperson Peter Carr) who have had to intervene to assist many production companies to obtain permits usually at the 11th hour and who met urgently with Mansoor Mohamed, (the City’s Executive Director of Economic, Social Development and Tourism) the Sunday before last to try to put in place urgent interim measures  - including the reappointment of a unit manager to  troubleshoot location issues.  While all this was taking place, the new CEO was in Berlin & London on yet another marketing trip!  The question this raises is: what is the point of marketing something which you cannot deliver to your clients?

A further misleading claim in the CEO’s newsletter which requires a rebuttal infers that the CPA and SAASP were not entitled to hold their Board seats and will be “replaced” by the Documentary Film Makers.  While we have nothing but respect for our colleagues who produce documentaries, it is completely disingenuous to compare the economic contribution of documentaries with that of commercials and stills in the Western Cape.  It is a verified fact that our two sectors comprise at least 70% of industry turnover in the Province.  Furthermore, the issue of the CPA and SAASP’s seats on the Board of the CFC have never before been questioned – this is simply the interpretation of the new CEO who, it appears, has taken over the decision making function of the CFC’s Board.  This accusation is also rather ironic considering that the CFC’s corporate governance is in a shambles with several queries outstanding and a forensic audit underway.

The CFC boasts a “membership” of 500 (according to its 2010 AGM report), however we have to ask what this membership actually means given that it has no criteria and is free of charge with many who have never applied for membership finding themselves on the list. The real measure of an organization is its relevance and value to its constituents.  The CFC membership is simply a ruse to convince its funders that a) it is representative of the industry and b) its R10 Million per annum operating budget is justified. We believe that membership of the CFC provides the Commission with legitimacy and credibility it does not deserve!

Aside from these issues, the CPA and SAASP’s ultimate decision to resign from the CFC was incited by instructions from the CFC that its representatives were not able to participate in discussions concerning locations (apparently due to a “conflict of interest”), they were not able to report back to their constituents – the industry – on developments at the CFC or on location issues, they were prevented from lobbying independently due to “protocols” and their suggestions and recommendations were ignored at the discretion of a CEO who has been in the industry all of 3 months.

Following our “vote of no confidence” in the CFC, we now call on the CEO and the Board of the Commission to do the honourable thing and resign with immediate effect.  No one person or organization can put its interests ahead of the interests of the Industry and the negative effect created by the denial and arrogant indifference of the CFC is placing the industry’s sustainability in jeopardy.  We also call on the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province to recognize that the CFC is institutionally flawed and must be urgently reviewed and overhauled if the Commission is to continue and become a valued partner to industry in the future.

We thank you for taking the time to read this statement and for your continued support.