Vincent Bhekezakhe Vilakazi

Education

About me

Vincent Bhekezakhe Vilakazi
Digital Video Cameraman/Digital Photographer/
Producer/Director/Scriptwriter/Actor/Film and Video Archivist


Born (2 June 1961) in a farm in Dargle 20 kilometers from Howick in Natal Midlands. Influenced by kung-fu and western films of 70s he practiced karate and horse riding. Studied for a Diploma in Film and Video Production in Durban Technikon (Durban University of Technology from 1981 to 1983 .Joined Saira Essa Upstairs Theatre Acting School in Durban in 1981 to do Speech & Drama part-time. In 1982 studied theatre performance and direction under Khethani Lakhani in Communikon Theatre part-time.In 1984 joined the First Free Film School in Durban that was run by Mikhail Peppas who is a Prof in Media studies in Durban University of Technology. In 1984 Open Video Casting Agency and later merged with Victor Patterson to form video casting agency called Telecast. Got jobs as an extra in numerous feature films and television dramas shot in Durban. From 1984-89 worked in over 200 B Grade Zulu films targeted at schools, rural community and mines. They were shot on (16mm) film and got a lot of experience in all facets of movie making from acting, scriptwriting, sound recording, editing, directing and producing.

1989-Studied Betacam Video Production under Wes Carpenter working for a video producing company called Videomaker.Won a Star Tonight Award (1990) for producing the best educational training program for SABC1 on housing. Moved to Johannesburg in 1991 and worked as a freelance director, producer, cameraperson, actor and scriptwriter on television dramas, documentaries, training videos and assisting in directing some dramas. Won a Star Tonight Award (1991) on a youth drama for SABC1 called Mina Nawe produced by Moviworld.

From 1992 to present Vincent has been acting, directing and producing numerous TV dramas, documentaries and training videos for private sector and SABC. In 2003 –Received a certificate in Master Class in the First African Writers Lab in Television and film conducted by Hollywood screenwriters Ms Carolyn Miller and Dr Linda Seger.In 2005 formed a partnership with the Oscar winning production company Moviworld (“Tsotsi”) as a resident Producer/Director/Scriptwriter specializing on film, television and documentaries.
In 2006 formed a diversified partnership with the famous scriptwriter/editor/author/translator/teacher/director, cultural activist and producer Mthuthuzeli Matshoba.The partnership provides service in empowerment through arts, culture, educational entertainment, literature and electronic media at large.
From 2007 till present formed partnership will Freedompark as a director, videographer, video editor, producer, script writer and Film and Video archivist. In 2008 joined Freedompark full time till now.

Acting experience:
Actor and Language Advisor
1. South African Rugby-Television Commercial (2006)
2. Trellidor -Television Commercial (2005)
3. Thetha Msawawa II (Talk South Africa) Youth Drama –Television (2004)
4. Emzini Wezinsizwa 8 (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (2003)
5. Imbewu Yobuhlakani (Seed of Intellect) Radio Voice (2003)
6. Emzini Wezinsizwa 7 (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (2000)
7. History Of Woolworths -Documentary -Voice (1999)
8. Emzini Wezinsizwa 6 (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (1998)
9. Woolworths-Receiving Training Video-Voice (1998)
10. Woolworths-Picking Training Video-Voice (1997)
11. Ingcwenga (Excellent) -Documentary-Voice (1996)
12. Homeless –Documentary-Voice (1996)
13. Street Beggars –Documentary-Voice (1996)
14. Emzini Wezinsizwa 4 (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (1996)
15. Woolworths-Dispatch Training Video-Voice (1996)
16. Ubambo Lwami (My Rib) Drama-Television (1996)
17. The Game- Drama-French Television Canal+ (1996)
18. Woolworths-Transport Training Video-Voice (1995)
19. Woolworths-Corporate Documentary –Voice (1994)
20. Emzini Wezinsizwa 2 (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (1994)
21. Emzini Wezinsizwa (Men’s Hostel) Sitcom-Television (1993)
22. Voter Education -Documentary –Voice (1993)
23. Ezoxhoshidada (Pre-School) Television Children Drama (1992)
24. Mina Nawe (Me And You) Television Youth Drama (1991)
25. Housing –Educational Television Drama (1990)
26. Max-The Lawyer-Television Youth Drama (1989)
27. Housing –Educational Television Drama (1989)
28. Housing –Educational Television Drama (1988)
29. Boys From Umfolozi –Television Youth Drama (1988)
30. African Adventure –Feature Film (1986)
31. Mhla Laduma (When The Lightning Strikes) Television Drama (1985)
32. Abaqaphi (On Game Trail Patrol) Television Youth Drama (1984)



Additional skills:
Miscellaneous (Video Cameraman/Film Cameraman/Film Camera Assistant/Clapper Loader/1ST Assistant Director/Soundman/
Boomswinger/Gaffer/Editor/Production Manager/Unit Manager/Producer etc.

1 .Freedompark - videographer/cameraman (2007-present)
2. Freedompark - video/DVD editor (2007-present)
3. Freedompark - DVD Movie scriptwriter (2007-present)
4. Freedompark - audio visual archivist (2007-present)
5. Thetha Msawawa II (Co-Coordinator) Youth Drama –Television (2004)
6. Emzini Wezinsizwa 8 (Co-Coordinator) Sitcom-Television (2003)
7. History Of Woolworths –Documentary DOP/Editor (1999)
8. Woolworths-Receiving Training Video DOP/Editor (1998)
9. Woolworths-Picking Training Video DOP/Editor (1997)
10. Ingcwenga (Excellent) –Documentary DOP/Editor (1996)
11. Homeless –Documentary-DOP/Editor (1996)
12. Street Beggars –Documentary-DOP/Editor (1996)
13. Woolworths-Dispatch Training Video-DOP/Editor (1996)
14. Woolworths-Transport Training Video-DOP/Editor (1995)
15. Woolworths-Corporate Documentary –Dop/Editor (1994)
16. Voter Education -Documentary –DOP/Editor (1993)
17. Ezoxhoshidada (Pre-School) Television Children Drama Editor (1992)
18. Housing –Educational Television Drama DOP/Editor (1990)
19. Housing –Educational Television Drama DOP/Editor (1989)
20. Sunday Star Magazine –Cover (1989)
21. Housing –Educational Television Drama DOP/Editor (1988)
22 .Over 200 B-Grade Zulu Feature Films as crew,production,writer,sound Engineer,gaffer,grips,Assistant Camera, director, fight scenes director, music composer etc..

Qualifications
1. Diploma in Film and Video Production
2. Certificate in Speech and Drama
3. Certificate in Theatre Performances and Direction
4. Video Cameraman -Documentaries
5. Film Cameraman-Drama
6. Video Off-Line Editor-Documentaries and Drama
7. Film Editor-Documentaries and Drama
8. Digital Final Cut Pro Editor/Digitizer
9. Certificate in Digital Photography/Digitization
10. Certificate in Film and Video Archiving
11. Certificate in Script Writing/Screenwriting/Script Editing
Awards
Sunday Star-Best Actor in Youth Drama 1990
Star Tonight Award-Best Educational Drama 1990
Star Tonight Award-Best Drama 1991
Additional information:
Digital photographer,videographer, video editor, producer, script writer ,tv director,gaffer,grips and Film and Video archivist

Skills