Once in a while a human interest story comes along that restores once faith in humanity. This is one such story.mIn March 2013 an aspiring writer from Manenberg in the Western Cape, Andre Manus, (picture attached) approached Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) to help him write a screenplay for a film.
Besides BTC providing free training in dance, drama and music, it offers training in filmmaking. To date they have produced several films that were screened on television.
Andre had a handwritten story on a few loose tattered pages. The story idea for his screenplay came from an art imitates life premise. Andre, living in the gang infested and sub economic township of Manenberg had witnessed firsthand the issue that was central to his story. However, Andre had a problem. He didn't know the basics of writing a screenplay but he had the enthusiasm and passion for his story. He wanted his story told through the moving image of film.
BTC introduced Andr to the screenwriter and film director Theo.E.Davids (Picture attached) of Gemini Twins Films. Theo being a qualified filmmaker, screenwriter and director of several films and television drama series, agreed to help Andre write the screenplay. Theo could identify with Andre because he as an ex-high school teacher, growing up in the apartheid area in the sub economic township of Bridgetown, also did not have the privilege to study film making and screenwriting at the previously white own film institutions. But in 1994 when South African became a democratic country, he persevered with his love for filmmaking and his talent and tenacity afforded him the opportunity to study and receive training from the best film intuitions eg NFVF, SEDIBA,Sparks etc.Thus, he wanted to use this opportunity to pay it forward to someone like Andre.
Andre's journey in writing the screenplay was an arduous and daunting one. Firstly, he was unemployed, had no access to a computer or telephone. Secondly, it was not always possible for him to walk 10 kilometres to Bridgetown, where Theo lived, to attend creative meetings because of the constant gang fights and shootings in Manenberg. He was literary trapped for days on end in his house.
Furthermore, Andre being a screenwriter in Manenberg was tantamount to being the laughing stock of the neighbourhood. People in his township ridiculed him and even mocked him for being a dreamer. This was because the concept of someone coming from Manenberg being a film screenwriter is not only foreign to comprehend for the average person but also ridiculous.
There were times when Andre, because of the heaping negativity around him, doubted his ability and commitment to succeed at screenwriting. At such moment he derived strength from the violence, unemployment and poverty in his area and this propelled him not to give up.
Needless to say, after one year, during which time Theo gave him a computer; Andre finally co-wrote the screenplay with Theo.
The biggest challenge after the completion of the screenplay was to produce the film. Like wars cost money. So does film making. After they applied for film funding at several intuitions without success or they find organizations and people that were prepared to fund the film but these funders wanted artistic control over the film which included changing the screenplay, casting the film and appointing their own producers and directors. Andre and Theo were opposed to this and decided to produce the film independently. Independently in the film industry means making a film with little or no money and with the help, support the goodness of others.
Theo made an appeal to the local film industry for technical help. A professional cameraman, sound man and film production manager offered their services.
--
Bridgetown Theatre Company provided the actors and crew. The community members volunteered to provide locations, transport and food.
Everybody offered their time, film locations and expertise at no cost, because they believed in Andre's story. It was a labour of love.
Bridgetown Theatre Company used this opportunity to empower their actors, crew and community in film acting and the technical aspects of filmmaking. On the completion of our film many of the cast, crew and community members pursued careers and SME businesses in the film industry.
On 6 December 2014, the film production on the film called Quest commenced in the Bridgetown, Silvertown, Rylands and Athone areas.
Quest is about what happens when a young drug addict mother has to sell her intelligent 14 year old daughter to the drug lord in order to settle her drug debt. Eventually, the daughter manages to escape from her dire life as a prostitute. Will she return home and forgive her now born again Christian and remorseful mother?
Quest stars (pictures attached) Portia Meyer, Zurayda Villet, Riedwaan Damon; Zintle Ntshoko, Maridi Jooste, Lizanne Peters, and Meagan van der Merwe.
Quest is co-written by Andre Manus and Co-writer and director Theo.E.Davids.
Quest will be screened on DSTV channel 263 and CTV (Cape Town Television) on Friday 13 November 2015 at 10pm and the repeat on Sunday 15 October'15 at midnight.
The making of Quest was in the truest sense of the word the highest form of filmmaking-it was collaboration. It also gives credence to the fact that dreams do come true with undying belief in oneself and hard work, regardless of the dire circumstances in life.
For more information log on to Bridgetown Theatre Company face book page or phone 082 5363651
Feature Films
South Africa
News
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
Once in a while a human interest story comes along that restores once faith in humanity. This is one such story.mIn March 2013 an aspiring writer from Manenberg in the Western Cape, Andre Manus, (picture attached) approached Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) to help him write a screenplay for a film. 
