MultiChoice has set aside R80 million to ensure that current productions are able to pay full salaries of cast, crew, and creatives for the months of March and April, by when hopefully we will have the worst of the disruptions behind us.
This is part of the several measures, aimed at safeguarding the incomes of cast, crew, and creatives as well as the sustainability of production houses.
Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the company will be launching an online learning portal that will support over 40 000 members of the industry to gain access to courses and online masterclasses, so they can continue to hone their craft whilst adhering to the public health measures of social distancing and isolation.
Furthermore, the company has committed to guaranteeing the incomes of freelancers in its SuperSport Productions, who are currently unable to work due to the suspension of sport and the national lockdown. This extends to guaranteeing the income of freelancers in its broadcast technology environment.
“With these measures, the group can hopefully steer the industry through this tumultuous time,” said MultioChoice in a statement.
MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela: “Our main concern is to ensure as much as possible that we secure the incomes of creatives, cast and crew over this period. We want to ensure that they and their families are not negatively impacted as work has come to a standstill.”
As an industry made up of thousands of freelance actors, producers, directors and camera operators, Africa’s video entertainment industry is particularly vulnerable at this time.
These people play a critical role in keeping viewers and communities informed, entertained and connected. All the whilst contributing significantly to the economy.
