An Open Day with Purpose
Media City Academy’s Open Day in March was approached with a clear intention. To create an experience that offers insight into how learning takes place within the Academy, not as an abstract concept, but as a lived process.
This approach shaped the structure of the day. Rather than positioning the Open Day as a series of presentations, the programme was designed to allow attendees to move through the environment and engage with different aspects of the work as they unfold in practice.
The morning began with plenary sessions hosted by Zenobia Simelane, providing an overview of the Academy and its programmes. These sessions offered a point of orientation, establishing a framework that would help attendees make sense of what they would encounter throughout the day.
Exploring the Production Process
From there, the experience opened up into a series of exhibitions and masterclasses that reflected different stages of the production process. Each session was positioned as part of a larger system, allowing attendees to build a layered understanding of how the various disciplines connect.
In the production space, Ryk Keyser led a session on camera, lighting and sound. The focus was on how these technical elements function together, and on the roles that support the visual construction of a project.
The post-production lab offered a different perspective. Led by Tunde Ogundipe, the session explored the processes that shape a project after filming, from editing and visual effects to the integration of emerging technologies such as generative AI.
The masterclasses extended this engagement further. Cinematographer Natalie Haarhof focused on the visual dimension of storytelling, while director Thabang Moleya explored narrative and performance, offering insight into guiding a project from concept through to execution.
Experience, Insight and Connection
Taken together, these sessions offered a connected view of the production ecosystem. Attendees were able to move between different stages of the process, building an understanding of how ideas are developed, executed and refined.
What became apparent over the course of the day was the value of experiencing this process in context. For prospective students, the opportunity to engage directly with the work provided a clearer sense of what the field entails.
For parents, the experience offered a view into the environment in which their children would be learning, giving insight into the pace, engagement and practical nature of the programme.
The Open Day also created space for conversation. Attendees engaged with facilitators, asked questions and reflected on what they had experienced.
As the Academy prepares for future Open Days, there is an ongoing commitment to maintaining this level of engagement, ensuring that each experience continues to offer meaningful insight into how the work is approached.
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