Thembisa filmmaker makes a name for himself in the industry
This was followed by him joining ventures with a Limpopo production to write a Xitsonga youth drama series under the mentorship of Tshedza Pictures.
Thembisa resident Hani Dingaan Masingi The Junior became known in the SA film and TV industry after joining the Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking in 2012.
He received a bursary to study documentary filmmaking in Johannesburg.
Masingi has worked with several industry household names, such as Mandla N and Munghana Lonene FM.
Eric Mabasa, who discovered Masingi’s talent, supported him on his journey.
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After training at the Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking, Masingi was chosen in 2015 to represent SA in Amsterdam after producing his first student production titled Painting Red on Black.
The documentary was a finalist in the best student production category.
This was followed by him joining ventures with a Limpopo production to write a Xitsonga youth drama series under the mentorship of Tshedza Pictures.
He worked his way up in SA film and TV and signed a deal with Showmax for their new Xitsonga drama youth series, The Village Gangster.
Masingi said the challenge filmmakers face is the production budget.
“Some challenges we face in the SA film industry include working overtime with a limited budget while trying to deliver quality stories to the viewers. Most of the projects we do as filmmakers are with a limited budget.
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“We currently have a R1.3m project, and our team strives to make sure they produce high-end quality series because the budget is there.
“My biggest break in the SA film and TV industry was when I met my mentor, Beverly Mitchell, the founding director of Pitch Black Films – one of the biggest independent production companies from Hollywood based in Cape Town.
“After meeting Beverly, she took me under her wings and developed me into the person I am today,” he said.
Mr HD Masingi Films is working on Xitsonga’s untold stories titled The Village Gangster. The drama series series will comprise 26 episodes in its first season.
Bohlale Elizabeth directed The Village Gangster, and Masingi told the stories from the concept. The series focuses on drug abuse, whereby the youth live their lives around drugs.
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“On July 7, we host our third annual Dingaan Films Festival at Rabasotho Community Centre.
“With this event, we plan to bring more opportunities to filmmakers in Thembisa and provide media workshops for those interested in script writing, TV presenting and camera work.
“We aim to engage with anyone interested in creating films or being in front of the camera,” he said.
Anyone interested in finding out more can call Dingaan on 076 077 7569.
