“In the end as much as this journey is for me, it is also for everyone back home,” Sally Jason
Last year September, the three local MultiChoice Talent Factory representatives Ester Beukes, Toivo Ashivudhi and Sally Jason headed to Zambia. The program that will provide them with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through their 12-month training. unWrap.online caught up with Sally Jason on her experience in with the program thus far.
unWrap.online (UO): How are Zambia and its workload?
Sally Jason (SJ): Zambia is treating me well so far, it’s so green here and it makes me feel sad at times because rain is what Namibia needs and I see what I would love my country’s agriculture to look like. The workload is a blessing; we have been graced with professionals from film and series producers, directors, cinematographers, writers and distributors that have taken the time to share their experiences and knowledge with us. We have also been interning at Zambezi Magic productions in Zambia such as Zuba, Mpali and lifestyle show Zathu and Zed Top Ten that is hosted by KChinga, whom Namibia has loved as our own brother and talent.
UO: Would you say the course is substantial and one that is much needed?
SJ: Being at MTF is a definite need for me because I craved more in my career; I have always been focused on growing myself as a platform that will take Namibia to the world. This course is important to me because it brings me closer to a platform such as DStv that is accessible to most Namibians. In the end, as much as this journey is for me, it is also for everyone back home.
UO: From what you are being taught, can you already identify loopholes in our creative industry that you can help do away with?
SJ: Yes, the biggest loophole is that we don’t have access to the right people, knowledge, and resources to get our projects funded, seen and supported. The fact that MTF launched its portal is a huge step in the right direction. Where I fit in, is that with the personal projects I am working on, Namibia and the rest of the SADC region will have a platform they can use to promote themselves and be heard.
UO: With all your acquired skills and knowledge, what’s the first thing you will do when you get back?
SJ: I don’t want to share anything yet, because I want to get my ducks in the row. But if I have to be brutally honest, I need to get myself back in the job market while I let God do His will with my life.
UO: What do you love most about your course and Zambia?
SJ: I love everything about the course. I believe that you can’t say you don’t like something or want to venture into things unless you have tried it. With that said, every experience I’ve had has taught me a different lesson and it has taught me to respect each and every film crew member from the boom operator who has to strategically stand for a whole scene and not get into frame to the continuity person whose role is so important that if they mess up with their notes it can ruin a whole scene.
As for Zambia, I appreciate nature. They are more conservative than Namibia when it comes to freedom of expression in your sense of fashion and your sexual orientation but I can say that their crime rate is very low and as a Namibian that is a huge bonus.
