​​​Multimedia students from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently participated in an Academy of Screen Arts (ASA) collaborative project.​

The ASA, headed by director and producer Michael Lee, introduced a creative educational programme in partnership with UJ, and hosted a music video boot camp with participants creating a music video for one of SA’s top musicians Mxolisi Lokwe, known as MXO.

UJ Multimedia lecturer and filmmaker, Mocke J van Veuren directed the workshop which took place from 8 -14 July 2011. The production team consisted of students from the UJ Department of Multimedia and the Academy of Sound Engineering, as well as Grade 12 learners from Johannesburg. The two-day shoot took place at the SABC studios and on location at Cofi in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The students displayed their creative abilities in collectively brainstorming the concept for the video, as well as working on the shoot, editing, and developing graphics and effects in the post-production of the music video for the renowned poet and musician.

SAMA-nominated artist MXO has performed with international artists like Jamie Catto, and worked with the late Brenda Fassie and Jazz musician Moses Molelekwa. He has also performed at local and international Jazz festivals, and was recently a Survivor finalist.

The whole process was documented, and snippets of the video as well as behind the scenes action will be presented at the Moshito Music Conference at Sci-Bono in Newtown (11:30 on 2 September 2011 – www.moshito.co.za). Van Veuren says: “This project explored a highly innovative creation process which focused on balancing educational value with a successful production.” He adds, “The project is also important in terms of the collaboration between institutions, and we look forward to presenting the work in progress and behind the scenes documentation at the Moshito Music Conference.”