Last year around December, they launched the Igniting the creative economy of Botswana initiative and they wasted no time getting things moving.
On Friday evening, the Ignite Botswana team led by the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry for State President, Oshinka Tsiang, together with representatives from Steve Harvey Global, Brandon Williams, who is the chief operating officer and chief legal officer accompanied by Duncan Irvine, the CEO and Founder of Forge Media, held a press conference in Gaborone.
They shared updates on developments in the programme. Tsiang explained that the strategy of the programme was to provide a platform for training and development, with igniting the film and television industry of Botswana. He also said the anticipated outcome would be dynamic growth in the quality and quantity of world-class productions, as well as an increase in the telling of proudly local stories.
"This is a project that has been known as the Steve Harvey project and had divided opinions throughout the country. It is designed to create an ecosystem that supports the creative industry in this country. It is one of the key projects that enables the achievement knowledge based industry and economy. It was first announced back in 2019 that we will be getting into a partnership that will facilitate the creative industry.
This project had several components like the feasibility study, refurbishing our auditorium, procuring the equipment that would enable us to produce quality projects," he said. According to Irvine, the project will also grow the ancillary businesses aligned with production, and exponentially increase in-bound productions, thereby increasing foreign revenues and exposing the world to Botswana’s stories. He pointed out that it was an all-encompassing three-year project containing fully integrated programmes with multiple streams that all feed into creating a bigger, better and commercially successful television and film economy in Botswana. He explained that the Ignite Botswana project focus was not simply improving technical, production and creative skills, but also building business skills and networks, and aggressively pursuing international production work.
He added that the Entertainment and Drama Production Model delivered fully sponsored training courses, which are a combination of Masterclasses, as well as on-location training and mentoring, and this will be delivered congruently with the production of international shows working with highly experienced crews.
The Entertainment and Drama Training Curriculum stands on four pillars. The first is, ‘The Business of Film’, designed to enhance the future and create success in either film entrepreneurship or as employees in a successful film business. Pillar two is all about Entertainment Formats, Reality TV and Drama Series, ensuring that students are exposed to the world of TV.
The third pillar involves the Fundamentals of Production, where students will gain in-depth technical skills in the production of high-quality content. The fourth and final pillar is getting Practical Experience because you simply cannot train interactive involvement, you also need to be on set. Students will receive hands-on practical skills and know-how in applying all the knowledge learnt, it has emerged. Further, the final parallel project would be the fully sponsored Wildlife Film School. This school will be based in Kasane in the Chobe region, and will admit 20 students per course, with four courses of different levels running in 2024.
The students on this course will be instructed by international lecturers and trainers who are actively working in the field and have many years of experience. Both in the classroom and out in the field, the trainers are exceptional. Students will also get to shoot on a range of the best camera gear so that when they complete the course, not only will they be able to create and develop their own wildlife productions, but they will have the correct experience to work alongside international producers such as the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, National Geographic," he said.
He further pointed out that the students would leave with a mini documentary, which they have created from conception, through research, scripting and filming, all the way to final post-production. Beyond all of that, he said experts would also be embedded into three local productions being facilitated by the Botswana Television, adding that would provide continuous mentorship and development to those production teams. Masterclasses, which will be open to the entire television community of Botswana, will be provided for continuous learning opportunities. In addition, he said those who were currently working in television and film could register on the website and they would be notified of all the training and development opportunities. He added that they could also register to be considered as production staff on the international productions.
He added that for all Botswana families, they could now register if they would like to be on “Family Feud” with Steve Harvey, adding that in every episode there was the opportunity for a family to win up to P50, 000. He added that there would be many more developments as the project gains momentum.
"It is anticipated that this project will run over a minimum of three years, by which time there would be an even greater pool of highly experienced television and film crew and producers. This pool alone would more than double the current level of content being produced but, more importantly, significantly increase the number of shows being created that sell outside of Botswana and attract more international producers to work in Botswana. The easiest way to keep abreast of these exciting developments, and explore the associated opportunities, is to visit the project’s website at www.botswanaignite.com - this is where all updates will be posted," he ended.
