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2015
peculiar side of normal
Studio Creativ Xpression
S G1 Media
Mystar Engage
CPS Technologies
that
The
Flawlessly masteredE-learning solutions
Driven to innovate
video and audio change the world
integrate
productions
and
CPS Technologies is a turnkey ICT solutions
provider and systems integrator, whose endless
quest for superior and more efficient ways of
using technology is driven by a passion for
innovation and creativity.
Creativ Xpression is a multidisciplinary creative design agency, established
in 2006. We create identities, environmental graphics and interactive design
solutions. We make design work through the seamless integration of creative
ideas, balanced with a clear strategy, innovation and value.
Originally comprising only a vocal booth and Chroma key recording studio in
2008, G1 Media has evolved into one of the most outstanding audio and video
mastering, editing and animation facilities in the country today, boasting state-
of-the-art equipment and exceptionally skilled staff.
page 3
editorial team
Guest writers
A good impression is unavoidable
Illustration
Evolving your brand
Creativ Energy
Binary Brats
Mind blowing cinematography
Internship programme
Bringing dreams to life
3D animation
Celebrating Heritage Day
Unleash the power of the annual report
CPS Technologies where creativity meets technological supremacy
Studio Creativ Xpression develops a digital universe for
Star Schools
Cover design:
cover photoXpression owes its spectacular cover photo of Simran Patel to the collaborative efforts of photographer Nita West, 3D modeller Potsiso Mashiane and graphic designer Lucille Pillay.
Nita used a Nikon D800 camera fitted with a 24-70mm lens set at 62mm, 250 ISO, aperture between f/5.6 and f/8, and a shutter speed of 1/200th of a second.
A gentle air current was used to inject motion into Simran’s hair so that the final image did not appear too static. By having her look directly into the camera lights more light was infused into her naturally dark irises, making them appear brighter and more vibrant.
Potsiso was responsible for the creation of the 3D glowing green butterflies on the image. After extensively researching the anatomy of butterflies, as well as glowing creatures like fairies and fireflies, he built a basic reference shape, then sculpted it to perfection in Zbrush. A sense of magic was incorporated by adding a radiant glimmer effect around the butterflies’ wings.
Lucille used Photoshop to manipulate and enhance Simran’s eyes, lips and other colours in the image, then integrated the butterflies.
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Change the world with Mystar Engage e-learning solutions
Taking photography to the next level
Baby got back...groundWhere music is oxygen
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Experience the freedom of our xpression
Studio Creativ Xpression Design and creativity go together like popcorn and a movie. Good design is more than just something cute and appealing, it has the power to tell a story, invoke a deep emotional response, and even inspire transformation – all in a matter of seconds. This is the world of Studio Creativ Xpression.
06 – 23
CPS Technologies As a leading turnkey ICT
solutions provider and
systems integrator, CPS
Technologies specialises
in integrating the best
technology with the best
people to deliver holistic
solutions that exceed
customers’ expectations.
24 – 37
Mystar Engage
There’s more to e-learning
than just reading and
clicking. Mystar Engage
develops solutions that
are interactive, stimulating
and fun, inspiring people to
change the way they think,
act and work.
62 – 65
G1 Media
Whether its cinematography,
photography or audio, the
seasoned eyes and ears of
the G1 Media team ensure
that everything that leaves
their studios (including the
48m2 Chroma key studio) is
flawlessly mastered and of
an impeccable standard.
38 – 59
All graphics and photography exclusively by Studio Creativ Xpression and G1 Media.
T: +27 11 018 5020 | F: +27 86 403 9870
Block B | Wild Fig Business Park | 1494 Cranberry Street
Honeydew 2040
page 5
creativ xpressionAs the world evolves from a physical canvas to digital cyberspace, I will continue to redefine it through
When David-Anthony starts brainstorming, it’s tough to keep up, because his brain is always at least three ideas ahead of everyone else (and that’s on a slow day). Flamboyant, charismatic and a trendsetter extraordinaire, David-Anthony never runs out of ways to raise the creative benchmark. Indeed, it only takes
the sight of a few bees gathering nectar from a lavender bush for his imagination to go intooverdrive. As the creative visionary behind Studio Creativ Xpression, he ingeniously inspires his team of artistic and technical minds to develop products and integrate various technology platforms that trigger angelic-sounding choir music in his client’s head.
David-Anthony has been astounding industry with his creative genius since 1996, working on projects ranging from major theatre productions to marketing campaigns for well-known organisations such as the Independent Electoral Commission and African National Congress. His success led him to establish Studio Creativ Xpression in 2007, where he lent his creative expertise to renowned brands such as DStv, Development Bank of South Africa, Star Schools, Coca-Cola, South African Breweries, Liberty Life, First National Bank, Nedbank, Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC, a division of the Department of Treasury) and Absa. Today, David-Anthony not only leads his innovative team as creative director, but is also keenly adept at instructional design, project management and operational management.
page 7
A good impression You know that sensation that comes with the aroma of freshly percolated coffee, first thing in the morning? It signals the start of a brand-new day, filled with all kinds of new and exciting possibilities. That’s how Creativ Xpression feels about what it does.
is unavoidable
“As a multidisciplinary creative design agency, we’re all about
artistic passion. Indeed, creative design is our oxygen,”
says owner and COO Bhavna Patel. “The work we do is not
just another job; it’s who we are. Every project is viewed as an
opportunity to create and innovate, and we’re not afraid
to use extraordinary methods to ensure that whatever
we produce is original and inspirational.”
“We shudder at anything conventional and orthodox; we’re not ‘lateral thinkers’ and we definitely don’t do ‘out-of-the-box’ – that’s so last century. We prefer quirky, whacky, zany, even the odd side of normal. It’s how we ensure we always deliver something spectacular.”
Many agencies profess to offer something new and different,
but Bhavna says the only way to accurately gauge this
is in the quality of the work provided. “Everything Creativ
Xpression does is designed to make an impact. To achieve
this often necessitates breaking free from traditional thinking,
but that’s what we love – every moment of it.
“First impressions matter a lot, and the best way to ensure a good first impression is by good design.
Design and creativity go together like popcorn and a movie, and good design is more than just something cute and appealing, it has the power to tell a story, invoke a deep emotional response, and even inspire transformation – all in a matter of seconds”.
“When your design incorporates strong visuals, it’s hard not to make a good – and lasting – impression. As a creative agency, we’re synonymous with strong visuals.”
Not surprisingly, energy levels at Creativ Xpression are at a constant high, but when they’re unleashed and channelled into a project, the end result is incredible.
The agency’s talent pool is vast (“to put it modestly,” Bhavna adds) and comprises the perfect combination of creative and technical skills – from illustrators, musicians, videographers, film directors, award-winning graphic designers photographers and writers, to animators, software developers, IT specialists, sound engineers and e-marketers.
Aurette Bowes
studio-cx.co.za
Breaking the rules
This, together with a comprehensive range of facilities that includes a 48m2 Chroma key studio, fully equipped audio room, photography studio and video editing suite, enables the company to offer a diverse portfolio of services, ranging from strategic planning, branding and online marketing, to design, marketing campaigns, e-learning and production facilitation.
“Before we begin a project, we ask what it is that you want to achieve,” Bhavna explains. “We listen carefully to ensure we become one with your vision. Then we roll up our sleeves and get down to work, formulating plans and strategies, devising innovative campaigns, developing powerful communications, all specifically geared to achieving our client’s strategic objectives. Our aim is to develop tailor-made content for various channels and platforms that makes sense to our clients, their business objectives and where applicable, their audience
“We never follow a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, if there are any rules when it comes to creative design, we’ve probably broken every one of them (another thing we love to do). It’s how we ensure our client’s message doesn’t get lost in the clutter, but rather makes a profound impact and inspires its audience to action.
“Think of cooking a delicious potjie over hot coals. It takes a little longer than the conventional stove-top method, but the final result is always worth the wait. That’s how it is at Creativ Xpression.”
peculiar side of normalTh
e
Bhavna Patel, Chief Operations Officer
page 9
dolor sit amet
LOREM IPSUM
dolor sit ametLOREM IPSUM yourEVOLVING
Is your website search engine optimized?All major search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo have primary search results, where web pages and other content such as videos or local
listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers
most relevant to users. Payment isn’t involved, as it is with paid search ads.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about editing your page’s content,
html and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and remove barriers or promoting a site to increase the number of
backlinks, or inbound links. You would look at various components on your
website such as:
Social Networking Website Mobile Compatible XML Sitemap File Main Heading Tags Image Descriptions Page Titles Website Description Website Keywords Website Meta TagsBasically SEO is all about making your page visible on search engine search
results. Don’t pay it attention if you don’t want people to find your site.
Does your website look good on a phone?
Is your website dated?
With the rise of the digital age and
the domination of the internet
we expect everything instantly.
Patience being a virtue is just
something that we tell people
without Wi-Fi to make them feel better.
This era of speed has influenced everything
we do and how we do it. We speak faster, we
type faster b/c OMG there jst isn’t not enuf
time 4 full words anymor. We even date faster,
quicker than clicking your fingers because
with Tinder you don’t even fully click, you
just swipe. And when it comes to looking up
information we want everything we need in an
instant right in front of us.
There are a lot of positives to this new fast
paced lifestyle but I’m sure anyone who
has gone on a dodgy Tinder date or had to
type out an acronym into Urban Dictionary
is aware, there are also negatives. If your
company has a website you’ll be aware that
one of those negatives is that it can get
outdated…fast!
To make sure you’re keeping up with
demands of today’s customers below we’ve
listed some of the qualities they expect from
your website:
Is your website the equivalent of a print ad or is there social integration?
Today everything is about
communicating and networking. The
more you let your users get involved in
your site, the more they’ll stick around.
You can install Facebook widgets,
“Tweet This” buttons, and even user
profile functions for your customers. You
should at least have a comments section
and be running a fan page on Facebook.
These social networking sites are some
of the most popular places on the web,
so you should be there mixing it up!
It’s no surprise that most South Africans access the internet
through their phones but what is surprising is that some
companies still don’t check how their website displays on a
phone. This is such a biggie, in an ADHD generation if your
website is frustrating to look at or difficult to navigate you won’t
see that customer visiting twice. Create a mobisite or have a
desktop site that is responsive and can adapt to phone screens,
this is a cost worth investing in. Phones are getting smarter your
company should as well.
page 11
at a blank, white canvass is arguably one of the most exciting things for an artist to do. Not because it’s blank, but because there are so many ideas waiting to be expressed on that canvass.
Which is exactly what we do Studio Creativ Xpression. We don’t develop products, we develop ideas. Whether you’re thinking about a magazine, website, annual report, poster, flyer, or even a business card, come talk to us. These are just some of the things we’re brilliant at.
Our amazing team of creative illustrators can also create storyboards for films, conceptual illustrations (characters and backgrounds) and comic illustrations.
Once the artist has finished his work he stands back to admire it and says, Wow!
The world is your canvas.
With her waterfall hair and bewitching smile, Lucille Pillay-O’Brien gives new
meaning to the word ‘adorable’. We also love her for the knockout promotional
branding, graphic, signage and 2D animation visuals she creates, which is why
we put her to work on projects for African Fashion Week, Panda Diamonds,
Pastel Payroll, Tiger Brands, African Sales Company (ASCO), Standard Bank,
Star Schools and Eskom. We weren’t disappointed, and neither were our clients.
In an environment where the only rule is to meet the relentless tight deadlines,
we know we can always rely on Lucille to quietly get on with the job and power
through to the finish – on time. But don’t be fooled. Beneath that serene exterior
is an ambitious, strong-willed woman, ready to trample on anyone who gets in
her way of being the craziest cuckoo in the nest. Just kidding. Lucille’s not like
that at all. She’s beautiful, witty and charming, and in her spare time dabbles in
photography and painting, and enjoys going for long walks on the beach. Okay,
kidding again. But just about the last part. The rest is all true.
Abou
t Luc
iG
azin
g
page 13
Unleash
of th
ePOWERthe
Besides providing pertinent information on the health of your company, the annual report serves as a formidable marketing tool. Why not use it to tell a compelling story about your organisation – one that breaks through the noise and stirs emotions?
“Even the most uncompli-cated information becomes more engaging when delivered imaginatively,” says Studio Creativ Xpression’s creative director David-Anthony Reece.“The annual report is more than a summary of a company’s accomplishments and financial statements over the past year. By using themes to make the book more compelling and interesting the annual report becomes a unique opportunity to stand apart from the barrage of communications mediums we’re exposed to every day.”
Reece echoes the sentiments of renowned corporate communications counsellor Stuart Z. Goldstein, who has conducted extensive research on best practices in corporate communications and the use of technology in the introduction of innovative strategies.
“Information age technology has expanded the quantity, quality and speed of information exchange,” Goldstein
says. “Not only do we have more distribution channels for information via the internet, but the subsequent reporting of information through various formal channels (for example, news organisations) and informal channels such as blogs, has exploded the sources of financial and business data.
“Consequently, 21st century companies face a growing competition for influencing the perceptions of their various publics, and the window of opportunity to do so is narrower. Additionally, technology has levelled the playing field. Stakeholders, competitors and external interest groups have the same access to this technology to communicate. With more channels and suppliers of data about your company, (and not all of it accurate and favourable) the power and quality of your story becomes an even greater business imperative.”
Aurette Bowes
Annual Report
2015
56.7% Flush toilet connected to a public sewerage system
3.3% Flush toilet connected to a septic tank
0.4% Chemical toilet
12.1% Pit latrine/toilet with ventilation pipe
18.1% Pit latrine/toilet without ventilation pipe
0.8% Bucket toilet
5.1% None
3.5% Other and unspecified
Cape Town
George Port Elizabeth
DurbanPietermaritzburg
Kimberley
Bloemfontein
Upington
MmabathoJohannesburg
Pretoria
Witbank
Mbombela
Polokwane
0 – 35 000
35 001 – 60 000
Cities
150 001 – 2 000 000
2 000 001 – 3 600 000
Province
100 001 – 150 000
60 001 – 100 000
Population
Infrastructure Inputs Monitoring Project
2011
page 15page 15
The modern annual report is the one document that reaches millions of readers, either in print or via the internet.
“As the single most widely read document of an organisation, the annual report provides a chance to address how the company is perceived in light of trends and against competitors, and to articulate a forward-looking story about the company that reflects vision and direction,” says Goldstein. “The story line in the report should transcend current business circumstances and address what you see beyond the next horizon.”
“Today’s annual report is your best opportunity to make a strong impression – to provide a ‘singular voice’ and tell a consistent and clear story about your direction. The story can be a powerful and compelling picture of the future. It can be a sustaining story. Done well, it can resonate with an increasingly diverse stakeholder audience. In today’s media environment, the annual report can advance the persona of a company and become a powerful means by which to influence perception, reputation and buffer or advance financial results.”
Goldstein defines the annual report as the company’s strategic communications document that should communicate:
The overall strategic positioning
of the company;
The CEO’s vision for the
company, looking out over the
next three to five years;
The direction the company is
trying to take;
Key messages used throughout
the year.
“To simply talk about what you did
last year—the approach taken by the
old-style annuals – will not inspire
confidence. You get out of the annual
report process what you’re willing to
invest.”
Annual reports require a singular point
of view – and vision – to be successful,
Goldstein declares. “The starting
point is to look at ‘best practices’ by
collecting highly rated annual reports
from different organisations globally
and benchmarking the approaches
and techniques used in writing, design
and photography. This helps to identify
innovative design concepts that bring
a new level of excitement to what
you are trying to communicate, and
which support the report’s themes and
messages.”
According to Goldstein, choosing
a theme is the most critical part of
the book. “Without a doubt, themes
can make your annual report more
compelling and interesting. It establishes
the story line you want to tell, and
provides the ties that bind together
the essays covering the businesses
throughout the report.
“The theme should reflect your internal goals and priorities, as well as what’s going on externally in your industry sector. Naturally, the theme chosen should be closely aligned with the CEO’s vision of the company.”
“The theme is intended to help you create an overarching message, communicate a sense of direction, and establish a continuity of story line for your company,” he adds. “It can help communicate your company’s vision, values and philosophy toward customers, and set the stage for how you want the world to perceive you, and the sort of reputation you want to project.”
Goldstein also advocates considering a secondary theme. “The secondary storyline can have both a business purpose and enhance the entertainment value of the annual report. These documents can contain so much detail that it’s a challenge to keep someone’s attention. How do you draw the reader in? How do you keep them engaged? The secondary storyline increases reader interest in the report and can be used to support the overall theme.”
In Goldstein’s view, every communication put out on behalf of your company is an opportunity to sell something. “This is especially true of the annual report. Consider building into the design an insert, an illustration, a gatefold or some other device that complements the theme but, more importantly, helps market your products and services. For example, design a pocket and insert for the report, and then have extra copies of the insert printed so they can be used
A more effective communications vehicle
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by relationship managers as hand-outs or as targeted new business mailings.”
The annual report provides an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of millions of stakeholders, potential stakeholders and those who influence stakeholders, Goldstein continues. “It can serve as a powerful method of shaping and sustaining your company’s image. Good communicators will seize this opportunity and unleash the power of the annual report as a strategic communications tool.
“If the three ‘Cs’ of effective communication are clarity, consistency and constancy, the annual report should be used as the battle plan. It puts a stake in the ground against which multiple communication strategies can flow, while reinforcing a continuity of message that can be heard above the din of competing and conflicting messages.”
page 17
Development Bank of Southern Africa
PO Box 1234, Halfway House 1685
South Africa
Telephone: +27 11 313 3911
Fax: +27 11 313 3086
www.dbsa.org
Infrastructure 2012
Barometer
Progress in infrastructure development
since democracy
Infrastructu
re Baro
meter 20
12
Progress in infrastructure development since dem
ocracy
Barometer2013_Cover Layout.indd 1
2013-04-12 12:25:02 PM
Today’s annual report is your best opportunity to make a strong impression
page 17
Every painted masterpiece begins with a rough illustration. For an artist, gazing at the clean, white canvas before the first stroke is made is arguably the most exciting stage in the development of a work. That’s because there are so many ideas in his head, just waiting to be expressed.Being the digital geeks we are at Studio Creativ Xpression, however, our blank canvas is not made of the conventional heavy-duty plain-woven fabric usually associated with painting. Instead we use a white background in Photoshop on our HD touch screen Wacom tablets…
Our exceptionally talented illustrators specialise in producing state-of-the-art (pun intended) illustrations that vary from dazzling storyboards for film and TV commercials to cartoons, sketches, drawings and even realistic-looking paintings that can be used as movie backgrounds.
From classic to funky, no style is beyond our capabilities, and computer techniques are useful for producing some interesting effects.
Our artists are dying to show you what they can do. Your imagination is their inspiration.
At night Stuart O’Brien dreams of capes, masks and wearing
his underwear over his pants. During the day he draws
endless sketches of superheroes, especially Batman. In fact,
he believes he is Batman, but we’re working on a way to
break the truth to him, gently.
Stuart’s illustrations have become so good that he now does
it for a living, working as art director and graphic designer
on projects for Land Rover, Ford, LG Electronics, Pick ‘n Pay,
Standard Bank, Star Schools and TiAuto. He draws (pun
intended) his inspiration from the numerous styles of comic
book art, creating funny little pictures of everything. Expect
cats. He loathes funny pictures of cats.
Occasionally, Stuart puts down his sketch pencil to read a
graphic novel, watch a movie or play a computer game. We
make sure he never repeats an activity, however, because
doing the same thing over and over again kills his creativity,
and that would be disastrous for our clients. So we take care
to always keep Stuart inspired with something new and fun
so that he can continue to produce illustrations that thrill and
delight all.
About Stu
page 19
I need your help. We
need to fix this.
I guess the city is
mine then!
Let’s perform our magic!
No! What happened?!
Sigh... They destroyed it all.
I will need Crea-X to
help me here.
Hey, Jivan, you called?
This will need more than creativity; it requires
technology.
Ka-Boom
PH
HH
T
Whoooosh
Sigh... This computer is so slow. What a waste of my
valuable time.
Huh? What’s happening?
ziipp
Magnificent!
Perfect! We’ve done it again!
Wow! Wow! Wow! This rocks!
We live in an age of convergence, where ICT, design and audio-visual
elements no longer function in isolation. Consequently, CPS Technologies, Studio
Creativ Xpression and G1 Media interact synergistically with
one another to create superior technological solutions that
subscribe to the highest quality standards.
Atul Patel (Chief Executive Officer)
page 25
CPS
Most students wait on tables or house sit for vacationing friends and family to earn extra money to supplement their studies. Unless you’re born with an entrepreneurial spirit, like Atul Patel. He preferred to establish his own sole proprietorship to supplement his income. Two decades later the company has grown to become a leading turnkey ICT solutions provider and systems integrator.
Originally established in 1992 as Colossus Performance Systems – “I chose the name because I wanted to
make a big and lasting impression,” says Atul – the business specialised in the supply and repair of IT hardware.
“Most of my clients were medical doctors, simply because they were among the few people who could afford their own PC in those days,” he relates.
The fact that he didn’t have the capital or cash flow to finance the parts he needed to carry out the repairs didn’t deter him in the least. “Cheques were the preferred method of payment back then,
so I opened a cheque account and paid my suppliers accordingly. During the seven days it took for the cheque to clear I would repair my client’s PC, insist on payment in cash and deposit the money immediately, thus ensuring that my deposited cheque didn’t bounce. Of course, my earnings always exceeded the value of the cheque and I used the surplus as spending money, and to buy books and other essential items for my studies.”
Even after graduating and securing fulltime employment Atul kept his business active, repairing PCs and writing software programmes (a hobby he developed during his high school years) in his spare time.
It was in 2000 that Atul got word of a tender, issued by Dimension Data, for the supply of a network and data centre infrastructure comprising 13 branches, as well as a security solution.
“I realised I could deliver the required specifications, and decided to tender in my personal capacity.”
Atul went on to win the tender and completed the implementation on his own within three months.
“I decided then that the time was right to convert my sole proprietorship to a close corporation.”
Technologies
creativitywhere
meets
supremacyAurette Bowes
CPS Technologies’ offering includes:
Consulting services
Human capital management
Business risk and governance management
Project management
Systems audit
Managed services
Unified cloud services
Application as a Service (AaaS)
Mobility as a Service (Maas)
Monitoring and Tracking as a Service (MTaas)
Security as a Service (Saas)
Backup as a Service (BaaS)
The company continued to grow and in 2005 Atul appointed a junior engineer to assist him in his work. “I also converted the business to a private company and changed the name to CPS Technologies.”
The company specialises in integrating the best technology with the best people to deliver holistic solutions that exceed customers’ expectations. “My team constantly strives to be the best at what they do, never setting limits to their development potential,” says Atul. “Building on their knowledge, dedication and energy, we deliver ground-breaking products, services and solutions that far surpass the technological demands of the 21st century.”
“I believe in turning service into satisfaction,” he continues, “and promote the philosophy that the client’s business requirements should always remain at the forefront of the technical solution proposed.
“By understanding our client’s needs, we’ve improved cost and operational efficiency and effectiveness, thus leading to strong long-term mutually beneficial partnerships.”
Today CPS Technologies boasts a staff complement of 25, including two wholly owned subsidiaries Studio Creativ Xpression (specialising in illustration, graphic design and web development) and G1 Media (offering audio-visual, photography and animation services).
“We live in an age of convergence, where ICT, design and audio-visual elements no longer function in isolation. Consequently, CPS Technologies, Studio Creativ Xpression and G1 Media interact synergistically with one another to create superior technological solutions that subscribe to the highest quality standards,” Atul explains.
Driven by his passion for innovation and creativity, Atul’s quest for superior and more efficient ways of using technology will never wane. “In today’s modern economies, technology hold the potential to change and improve the way we live and work,” he declares. “Unlocking this potential requires an intimate understanding of the possibilities and challenges posed by technology, their alignment to business processes and requirements, and the skills to marry technology with 21st century needs.
“CPS Technologies is committed to staying ahead of the technology curve and sharing our knowledge and
expertise with our clients to enable them to fully capitalise on the benefits of the emerging economy.”
page 27
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Bhavna PatelAt
ul Patel
Isabel M
dzing
waH
itan Odhav
There’s something about Hitan that reminds us of duct tape. Like the adhesive material, he has a light side, a dark side and he holds our world together.
A self-confessed tech-head, Hitan is the first person we turn to when the internet is down, our emails bounce back, or our PCs are just not having a good day. Not that this happens often,
however, thanks to his thorough understanding of network, hardware, software and operating systems. Indeed, most of Hitan’s time is spent not on IT support, but on making different
technologies work seamlessly for our clients. The more challenging the client’s requirement, the more inspired he is to develop a solution that doesn’t just meet, but exceeds the client’s
expectations.
Hitan’s interest in all things technical is not limited to computers, however. He is also a devoted petrol head. We know this because every once in a while he comes to the office holding a steering wheel in his hand, a sure sign that he’s been indulging in his favourite
adrenaline rush, racing. On other days he comes in with a soccer ball, his way of showing support for his favourite team, Liverpool.
The office is still divided on which of these is his dark side.
Entrepreneur, innovator and philanthropist Atul Patel
is passionate about harnessing technology to facilitate better access to
education for all South Africans.
He is the founder of CPS Technologies, originally established in 1992 to supply and repair IT hardware, and
today a leading turnkey ICT solutions provider and systems integrator.
As the chief executive officer of Star Schools, Atul has helped the company achieve unrivalled success in improving South African’s
access to world-class education its highly acclaimed Matric Rewrite, Saturday School, Grade 9 Maths and School Incubator programmes.
He is also the driving force behind the establishment of Star Schools subsidiary, Mystar Education & Business Solutions, which boasts a comprehensive and
cutting-edge infrastructure that caters for the development of customised end-to-end virtual learning solutions, and a supply chain which encom-passes the full
spectrum of pedagogical, business, operational and technical services.
These accomplishments paved the way for Atul to take the next step in making teaching and learning an exciting and rewarding experience for educators and learners through
virtual learning. He spearheaded the establishment of Star Schools’ own fully fledged high school, Star Schools High, which opened to learners in January 2015. In conjunction with
a progressive curriculum, which also encompasses e-learning, Star Schools High offers its learners technologically advanced classrooms that facilitate a teaching environment where
talk and chalk is minimised and digital teaching and learning is capitalised on.
A versatile HR specialist, Bhavna boasts hands-on experience on human resource issues and organisational development in a diverse range of environments. Her proven track record of building and leading effective change initiatives makes her a proactive agent of change, who believes in encouraging learning and promoting increased productivity that results in value-added service.
Bhavna excels at team building and is an influential interpersonal communicator, negotiator and presenter.
With her master’s degree in industrial psychology, Bhavna has shown herself to be a proficient problem solver with the analytical skills to evaluate risks and business strategies. Excellent team builder and consultant on human resources issues and organisational development. Versatile human resources specialist with hands-on experience in diverse environments. Influential interpersonal communicator, negotiator and presenter. Motivated achiever with a proven track record of building and leading effective change initiatives. Proficient problem solver with the analytical skills to evaluate risks and business strategies
The worst punishment anyone can inflict on a creative person is office administration. That’s why we rely on Isabel. Organised, responsible and extremely efficient, she manages our admin needs much like James Bond dispenses with villains – quickly, quietly and without breaking a sweat.
That’s not to say Isabel doesn’t have a creative bone in her body. In fact, she has several and loves nothing more than to dance her way around the kitchen while she cooks and bakes yummy dishes for her family and friends.
That’s on weekends. Come Monday, Isabel is all business, accomplishing the impossible to ensure that the office runs smoothly. We think she per-forms miracles. To Isabel, it’s just part of her regular duties.
page 29
Web design and developent
At Studio Creativ Xpression we view ourselves as the whiz kids of web design. You could say we’re fanatical. Because we understand the importance of having a website that’s easy to find and provides customers with an optimal viewing experience across a range of devices. In other words, only the tiniest bit of resizing, panning and scrolling that makes for painless reading and navigation.
Like it or not, beauty is associated with trust, especially when it comes to websites. There are studies to show this. Lucky for you, we’re very good at developing great-looking websites. But we don’t stop there. After all, beauty is more than skin-deep and a beautifully designed website is only the beginning. We incorporate seamless functionality and a superior interactive user-experience to create the perfect online home for your business. Less fluff, more stuff that attracts more visitors and drives sales.
<?php echo “You should always be wary of computer programmers who carry screwdrivers. Thankfully, that doesn’t apply to Dmitriy, Studio Creativ Xpression’s software and application developer.” ?>
<li>Some people think Dmitriy Kravchuk is dangerous because he’s Russian and doesn’t like doesn’t to make eye contact with anyone, but he’s just extremely shy and prefers to live in a techno-bubble alert (“techno bubble!”), where he can process his thoughts in binary numbers and communicate with other geeks in HTML and Java. </li>
<li>Sometimes Dmitriy misses his beloved Russia (localEntities nostalgia =
new LocalEntity()) terribly, and this makes him sad. That’s when he pauses his processing and emerges from his techno-bubble to entertain crowds with his fire dancing skills. But not for long. When the applause gets too loud and too many people start asking for his autograph, shy. ItemsSource.ToList(); Dmitriy hastily returns to the sanctity of his techno-bubble and presses any key to continue.</li>
DmitriyAbout
BR
AT
S
<blockquote>There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don’t. </blockquote>
<br>Elaine Smit undoubtedly falls into category 1. As a gifted web developer with a string of certifications behind her name, Elaine finds it difficult to write anything that is not coded, <target=”_blank”> much to the consternation of those who find themselves in category 0. <?search=+11%3A30-40&>
<br>While some people crack under pressure, Elaine loves nothing more than to be perpetually functioning in overdrive. That’s when her creativity knows no bounds and the code starts flowing from her fingers in long strings of <script type=”text/javascript”><!—var c=2;var d=4;alert(c+d);.
<br>Although it doesn’t happen often, Elaine does experience days when her head is empty. Then she looks to the stars for inspiration, vigorously applying her mind to the study of celestial bodies. This probably explains why she knows things that no one else does, like that Saturn would float if you put it in water, and if you fell into a black hole you would stretch like spaghetti.
<br>Thanks to her borderline attention deficit disorder, however, these periods of empty headedness are fleeting, and it isn’t long before Elaine is writing code that our clients get to see as spectacularly developed websites.//--></script>
ElaineAbout
BinaryBinaryBinaryBinaryBinary
page 31
Studio Creativ Xpression developed a comprehensive digital infrastructure to promote the solution offering of education service provider Star Schools. It includes websites, an online store, electronic versions of Star Schools printed workbooks with mobile device integration, smartphone apps of the workbooks, a virtual learning ecosystem for desktop computers and tablets, and a social media network that promotes knowledge sharing.
Studio Creativ Xpression develops a digital universe for Star Schools
www.starschools.co.za
shop.mystar.co.za
learn.mystar.co.za
connect.mystar.co.za
Experience the Star Schoolsdigital universe
www.starschoolshigh.co.za
1. Open the web browser on your smartphone.
2. Go to http://gettag.mobi
3. Follow the instructions to install the Tag Reader specific to your smartphone.
4. Once the Tag Reader has been installed, open the Tag Reader application.
5. Point your smartphone camera to the tag.
6. Your experience starts here.
page 33
“At CPS Technologies, we throw our interns into the deep end of the media ocean so that they can find their way to the
top,” explains creative director David-Anthony Reece. “We then dive in with them and help make sure they get there. As part of the CPS Technologies family, our workload becomes their workload, even if only for a short while. Everyone in the office is more than willing to invest their time in making the interns’ learning experience more memorable than their first kiss.”
According to CEO Bhavna Patel, interns are usually offered a six-month contract before being considered for a permanent position. “We are very passionate about skills development and empowering young graduates to find their feet within the industry. Hence, we take in a few graduates each year on our internship programme and present them with the possibility of becoming permanent staff members. We also sometimes take on students who need to complete their practical assessment in order to graduate. Our aim is to assist them in any way we can, depending on their requirements at the time. During their time with us, we emphasise that it is important for us to see them achieving their goals, so we expect them to work hard. This does not mean, however, that they cannot have fun while building their career. Indeed, the best results are produced when everyone is having fun at the office.”
“Besides being involved in current projects, interns are encouraged to come up with their own ideal project or campaign with which we can assist in planning and executing,” David explains. “This way, the intern learns the media industry from different different experienced media practitioners across all media sectors. With ideal projects, the interns become the project leaders and take full responsibility for running the project from start to finish, with our assistance. If the idea is successful and impressive, we implement it.”
Last year four graduates were given the opportunity to intern with CPS Technologies and all were permanently employed by the end of year. Their outstanding work and remarkable achievements have impressed our clients and led to new ones. These former interns
internshipInnocent Kabini
CPS Technologies’ internship programme seeks to expose young graduates to the fast-paced moving media industry and grow their confidence while preparing them for the outside world. How the company does this is unlike any other programme of its kind.
programme
have never stopped smiling since CPS Technologies enabled them to explore the industry on a professional level.
“The experience has been mind-blowing and I’m enjoying every moment of it,” says sound engineer Ryan James. “What I do here is pretty much my life; it’s who I am and what I’m passionate about. I originally come in on board as a temp to work on a Star Schools (one of G1 Media’s clients) project, but when I was offered an internship, I was more than happy to stay on as the sound guy. Talk about feeling at home. Today I am working on several projects for various well-known and respected brands in the country and enjoying every minute of it.”
Even a fun office environment is not without its challenges and overcoming them is what prepares individuals to be proactive and productive. 3D animator Master Tshabalala shares his experience: “My first days at CPS Technologies were not easy because I didn’t have much academic expertise in 3D animation. I had to rely on my passion and self-taught skills to produce quality work. Most helpful was the support I received from the team, who were patient and understanding throughout my learning process. I’m now working on a large, extremely exciting project and looking forward to seeing the final product.”
“Working for CPS Technologies has been a great experience because we work as a team; helping each other as animators to achieve a goal,” says Sascha Buck, another former intern and now fulltime 3D animator.
Software and application developer Dimitriy Kravchuk loves the fact that each project he works on is unique. “I have learnt so much since working for CPS Technologies,” he says.
“We believe in people who are passion-driven, have a strong sense of self-belief, are not afraid to take chances and have a great sense of humour,” says David. “Our interns are dedicated individuals who are willing to invest in developing their careers and improving their lives. As an organisation, we are committed to grooming future leaders, the next game changers and media practitioners. We welcome graduates from various media disciplines, from IT gurus, marketers and advertisers to 3D animators, journalists, designers and photographers.
“Our intention is not to be a boss,” he continues. “Bosses scare people with their constant policing and hovering. At CPS Technologies, we treat everyone equally. We work as a unit and respect one another. Our interns are here to learn and work hard while we help them achieve their goals. We encourage them to try out new things and express themselves any way they wish. Who knows, we might just discover another hidden talent they never knew they had. We want to see all our interns reach new heights and are more than happy to open doors for them.”
Helping to inspire, prepare and support South Africa’s young talent ...
Innocent Kabini
Elaine Smit
Simone Mokoena
page 35
Taking photography to the next levelthrough photo manipulation and CGI compositing
page 37
westnitaRumour has it Nita was abducted as a child
and raised in the Knysna forest by a herd of elephant. No, wait. That was someone else.
Or was it? It could explain Nita’s fascination with
photography – she loves it as much as elephants
like remembering stuff – and why she feels so at
home behind big, long lenses. “Then, everything
is fair game, be it inanimate or alive. Objects
don’t move or get tired, while people make for
interesting and fun shoots,” she says.
Elephants-schmelephants, we don’t really care,
as long as Nita continues to produce those
unforgettable, award-winning photos and web and
graphic designs our clients love her for.
Nita thrives on innovation, because this enables
her to be great at doing the unique and original.
Colourful, quirky and not a little eccentric, she
loves nothing more than the dilemma of finding
ways to improve on a concept with her own
design or photo.
Nita does a great job running our Cape Town
branch, where her exceptional interpersonal skills
in dealing with team members and clients ensure
positive relationships and great results.
Plus, she gets to see the elephants often, which
makes her happy.
About Nita
phot
ogra
phy
photographyWhat ignited your passion for photography?As a graphic designer I had many friends who worked in the photographic industry and I also wanted to be among this elitist group. But once I really became involved I actually started loving it and gave up my shoe fetish for Nikon accessories. Thinking back to my childhood, whenever I was asked what I wanted for Christmas or birthday it was always a camera.
What do you think about the technological advances made with camera equipment?It’s not the equipment that captures the picture, but the photographer. That being said, a good driver goes much faster in a Lamborghini than a Beetle. I eat, sleep and dream the new Nikon D810.
Do you think the new tech makes it easier for novices to shoot “like professionals”?No, it makes them lazy and stupid.
What do you like most about photography as a profession?You don’t sit at a desk all the time. You get to create new art for others to experience.
If you could shoot anything, what would it be?Mandela, reading with slippers and bunny jammies… before he passed away.
Any other final words you’d like the readers to know about?Any black market dealers looking to swap a kidney for a D810,
Q&A
page 39
bucksascha
photography
How would you describe your photography style?Exotic. I like shooting in the studio with just a beauty
dish, particularly in black and white.
What do you like most about photography as a profession?Capturing things you would normally consider to be
plain and boring and making them beautiful.
What do you feel might be the most difficult thing about being a photographer?Artificial lighting when time is of the essence and there
is not a lot of space to work in.
Who is your favourite photographer, and why?I have two. Nita, because she’s just simply fantastic, and Nacho Oosthuysen (aka Nacho’s Corner) because he’s just simply fantastic. I really like his lighting techniques and his beach and water photography.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be? Somewhere at the coast where there are no sharks and the water is warm. Not Australia because you have to write an English test to get in.
What advice would you offer to budding photographers?Keep practising.
Q&A
phot
ogra
phy
Sascha loves horses, but the responsibility makes her nervous, so she decided to play the violin instead. That made everyone else
nervous, so she studied a BA degree in Fine Art and a post graduate diploma in 3D animation. And we all breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Sascha originally joined G1 Media as an intern, but has since become a permanent member of staff. Her overactive imagination, squeaky loud personality and partiality for bright pink hair give her much in common with the rest of the team. Sascha has worked on a variety of animation projects, including several training videos for Standard Bank, which
required 3D-modelled environments. She has also done Chroma key work on Star Schools’ educational videos.
Sascha’s talents don’t end there, however. She is an excellent photographer, creates spectacular movie special effects, and in her spare time has tried her hand at sculpture and – wait for it – boxing. She is also writing her Master of Digital Arts dissertation on stop-frame animation.
All this makes for an impressive résumé, but we’re just glad she is now too busy to go anywhere near her violin.
About Sascha
page 41
Tertius C CarstensBringing dreams
“ If you can dream it, you can do it. ”
Walt Disney
to lifeD
reams are successions of images, ideas, emotions and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind
during certain stages of sleep. Of course, we all know that.
You dream when you sleep. There’s also daydreaming –
when you’re caught up in your own world or imagination
while wide awake.
Why is dreaming so special? What is it about this activity
of the mind that, after waking up in the morning, makes
you wish you could return to that world where everything
is possible? The answer is right there. When we dream,
everything becomes possible!
And that’s why we compare dreaming to the goals we
seek to accomplish in life. We even call them our dreams.
When you have a vision or idea that no-one else has thought
of, it may seem pretty much impossible to accomplish at
first, but that’s only because no-one else has thought to try it.
The fact is, if you’re willing to work hard and pour your heart
and soul into realising your dream, it can become reality.
Some say it’s foolish to dream. This is not true. Everyone
who has ever made a difference in life were once considered
dreamers and even fools. Take Walt Disney, for example.
He was a struggling artist who came up with the idea for
Mickey Mouse while riding on a train. The rest is history.
Today, society looks back on their work and says, Wow!
This is what G1 Media specialises in – turning dreams into reality. No one was ever meant to walk a journey alone. Our creative team of writers, photographers, cinematographers, 3D animators, special visual effects artists and directors are eager to share your vision, whatever it may be, and make it real.
Don’t be afraid to dream. Your idea could change the world.
Wouldn’t you like to make a lasting impression before you
leave this life? Even a small dent is noticeable. G1 Media
where dreams come true.
page 43
Fishermen are more likely to get struck by lightning than anyone else. That’s a fact. It’s also why we take special care of Michael Fouche, our videographer and video editor, because when he’s not at the office or out on a location shoot, he’s more than likely gone fishin’.
But whether he’s armed with his fishing rod or his camera, Michael is a ‘reel’ expert who can tackle anything, and his taste for adventure always leads him to where the action is. Which is why he works for G1 Media, shooting and editing television adverts, music videos, documentaries and corporate training videos for the likes of African Explosives Limited, GlaxoSmithKline, Grounded Media, Eskom, TiAuto, Bossasa, Jhankaar School of Dance, Starschools, South African National Taxi Council and Standard Bank. Before that he worked as a boom swinger and production assistant on broadcasts such as Bonisanani, Beyond the Classroom and Woema, and was also involved in a Prime Circle album launch. How cool is that!
When he gets behind the lens that Michael’s knack for visual inventiveness kicks in. He is brilliant at capturing footage that brings a story to life on screen in a manner that enthrals the audience. Simply put, he knows how to make movie magic.
The G1 Media cinematography team tackles video production with the same energy and enthusiasm as they would a double cheese burger and chips. We invest in crews that handle script writing, pre-production, producing, directing, location shoots, green screen shoots, post production, rigging, online editing, offline editing, 3D animation and special visual effects. Our team of highly skilled filmmakers can create a block-buster production filmed on location or in our fully equipped 48m2 Chroma key studio. The hi-tech audio and video mastering, editing and animation facilities enable them to produce special effects of the same sophistication as seen on an international production.
G1 Media’s high-end production services include:
Corporate videos Training and educational videos Product videos Music videos Short films Documentaries Commercials Special visual effects
Michael
AboutMindblowing
page 45
Our
Chr
om
a ke
y St
udio
page 47
Chroma key (also known as green screen or digital background) is a style of background commonly used
for photography or film. Instead of going on location, one can just use a green or blue muslin sheet as the background, take photos or shoot videos and then replace that background with a picture of Godzilla in post-production. It doesn’t actually have to be Godzilla; it can be anything you want; we just recommend Godzilla because he’s cool and we feel he fits in effortlessly with most scenery, especially romantic ones.
The theory behind how Chroma key works is quite simple. Since you are using a standard shade single colour background, it means it can be easily removed without the need for
selecting, cutting, or pasting, as long as no part of the subject being filmed or photographed duplicates a colour used in the background. For analogue colour TV this will be achieved
when it compares the phase of the video to the phase corresponding to the preselected colour.
In-phase portions of the video are then replaced by the alternate background video. For digital,
it is when there is a numerical comparison between the video and the preselected colour. If the colour of a particular point on the screen
matches, then the video at that point is replaced by the alternate background.
The most important factor in Chroma key compositing is the colour separation of the foreground (the subject) and background (the screen). This is why backgrounds are usually green or blue; unless your subject is a smurf, or last night’s seafood is making him or her feel a bit queasy, then green or blue are going to be the colours that will differ most from their skin colour. In fact, bright green is the
preferred choice because it also contains the least "noise" and can produce the cleanest key/matte/mask, as well as needing less light to be illuminated. Blue is generally used for both weather maps and special effects because it is complementary to human skin tone, although it may match a subject's eye colour or common items of clothing such as jeans.
If you are well versed in photo manipulation programs such as Photoshop, then the advantages of using a Chroma key background are many. Firstly, you will have complete control over your environment (sorry Mother Nature, you can peddle your wares elsewhere). You will be able to access far more options on backgrounds from Godzilla to other angles of Godzilla (we really want you to use Godzilla). Not only will you be able to adjust the background, but you will be able to do so without affecting the model or subject. Less time is going to be spent on production, and finally, one of the greatest advantages of using a Chroma key background is its low cost. If you already have Photoshop or another comparable photo manipulation program, then you are saving majorly by going this route.
There are some challenges with Chroma key backgrounds that are worth noting. Trying to create even lighting and avoiding shadows (a crucial element in maintaining a professional look) can be quite difficult. You may struggle a little with finding the proper camera exposure balance and if you are not adept at Photoshop then you should probably avoid using these screens. Also, you will have to find a model with an imagination. If he or she cannot picture running for their life across downtown Tokyo to avoid their imminent death from a 20-ton monster foot, then this isn’t the solution for you.
got backBaby
So why are we telling you all this?
Because we think it’s interesting, we
thought you would find it interesting, we
really wanted to make that Godzilla joke,
but mostly, because G1 Media has a
48 square metre Chroma key studio,
which gives you ample room to do a lot
of really cool stuff. If you would like to
find out more about using our studio,
please contact us.
groundLisa Fiandeiro
page 49
When actors, set pieces or props are unavailable or just won’t do, G1 Media’s rock-star animators are ready
to create a 2D or 3D solution that will make your jaw hit the floor.
Because creating outlandish characters, androids, alien spacecraft, as well as futuristic vehicles and buildings is what blows their hair back.
While most of the team’s animation projects use 3D computer graphics, 2D computer graphics can be used for low bandwidth and faster real-time renderings. It all depends
on your animation requirements, whether these are short films and educational videos, special effects for traditional products, or presentations to illustrate project overviews to key stakeholders and investors.
G1 Media is just as happy doing animations that depict products which have not yet been built, or to describe clear, concise and logical procedures.
The team can even create 3D animations and visuals for scenarios where traditional cameras are unable to go, like the moon or Mars.
bucksascha
Sascha loves horses, but the responsibility makes her nervous,
so she decided to play the violin instead. That made everyone else nervous, so she studied a BA degree in Fine Art and a postgraduate diploma in 3D animation. And we all breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Sascha originally joined G1 Media as an intern, but has since become a permanent member of staff. Her over-active imagination, squeaky loud personality and partiality for bright pink hair give her much in common with the rest of the team. Sascha has worked on a variety of animation projects, including several training videos for Standard Bank, which required 3D-modelled environments. She has also done Chroma key work on educational videos for Star Schools.
Sascha’s talents don’t end there, however. She is an excellent photographer, creates spectacular movie special effects, and in her spare time has tried her hand at sculpture. She has also completed her master’s degree in digital arts.
All this makes for an impressive résumé, but we’re just glad she is now too busy to go anywhere near her violin.
Potsiso describes himself as the eternal optimist. Which is just as
well, because he also admits to being a billionaire under construction and to building his own empire in his spare time. (We’re not exactly sure whether his intentions in the latter are good or evil, so we’ve alerted Batman to be on standby, just in case.)
In the meantime, we’re keeping Pots (as we affectionately call him) busy with various projects involving illustration, special effects and video animation, about which he has been passionate since childhood. This is one dream we’re keen to help him pursue. So far we haven’t been disappointed. He has delivered brilliant work on projects for Standard Bank, Star Schools and Mystar Education & Business Solutions.
Pots approaches life much as he does a game of chess, another of his passions. While many view chess as a collection of pieces moving randomly around 64 squares, to Pots it is a game of conquest, where opposing forces of light and dark engage in a strategic battle for supremacy.
Okay, that does it. BATMAN!!!
Master loves his computer most because all his friends live inside
it. Friends that he’s created, that is. This is what happens when you produce animated computer graphics for a living.
Master’s passion for this art form began while he was still at primary school, and he went on to obtain a diploma in 3D, 2D and stop motion animation.
Today he works at G1 Media, creating computer images that simulate real world scenes, objects and people. His creative blend of colour, lighting and surface modelling results in images that don’t just appear more realistic, but actually are so.
Only a power failure and forgetting to charge his computer battery can induce Master to spend some time in the real world. Then he’s forced to do something normal like watch a movie, read a book or go to the gym. He also uses the opportunity to indulge in his other passions – making music and being a DJ.
But, as soon as we see start to see signs that Master has been away from his beloved computer buddies for too long, we send him back in. Experience has taught us it’s just safer.
mashianepotsiso tshabalalamaster
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G1 Media’s audio team are all real musicians who live, breathe
and exist for music. They are band members, song writers,
live performers, and producers for other bands. And that’s
when they’re not at their day jobs. Their wealth of experience
enables them to extract the highest quality sound from their
equipment.
Music and voice are powerful tools that can make your
company stand out from the crowd. The G1 Media team
produces customised music using real, live instruments, or
contemporary, synthesised rhythm tracks. They can create
background music for ambience or incorporate a track into
foreground events.
All this is done in the G1 Media studio, a place where a melody
in your head can evolve into a musical masterpiece, a voice
into a dramatic performance. The studio is equipped with the
latest recording technology and software, the atmosphere is
relaxed, inspirational and professional, and the team is very
good at what they do – everything you need to create your
special work of genius.
where music isG
1 Med
ia A
udio
G1 Media audio services Radio Jingles Commercials Visual Music Compositions Sound Design Track Enhancement Voice-over recordings
Ro
ss
Ross Ramsumder doesn’t carry a briefcase to work because his drum kit won’t fit in it. Even if
it did, there wouldn’t be space for his guitar and that would simply ruin his day.
While most people can’t live without oxygen, Ross thinks music is more important. After learning to play guitar at the age of seven, he soon realised that he preferred hitting to strumming, and turned to drums, eventually going on to study a degree in the instrument at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ross’s capabilities differ significantly from most musicians in that he is able to overlap his rhythmic abilities with melodic creativity. His unique style and approach to music has earned him considerable respect in the industry.
Although he cannot sing or dance, Ross plays really well for those who can. He has performed with various well-known artists in South Africa, including Steve Fataar, Li-Tido, Zuko Collective and national battle of the bands winner THOTS, which performed at various fan parks during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His most memorable moment was opening for Usher at the FNB stadium in 2012.
Ross is happiest when he’s inspiring others’ lives through music. When he’s not producing music for G1 Media, he’s either performing with other musicians, writing his own compositions, or teaching drums to learners at Trinity House High School.
The coolest part about being a non-singing drummer and guitarist, Ross says, is that even when he gets the flu, he can still play.
About
oxygen
page 53
A strong contender for the ninth wonder of the world (the first seven are taken and the list for the eighth is too long), while others were getting to grips with their ABCs, Jason Menzies was studying the Do Re Mi scales.
Classically trained from the age of five in a variety of instruments, including guitar, violin, piano and percussions, Jason has acquired extensive experience in world music, which he has used throughout his career to create unique and versatile compositions, productions and sound designs.
As a live performer, Jason has toured across South Africa with his bands and collaboration projects, playing alongside the likes of Hugh Masekela and Terence Reis of The Straits. His bands include What Seven Can Do, Zuko Collective and Aerosynthanitos. As a lyricist and composer, Jason has been involved in numerous productions, including pro bono works for charity initiatives and the Germany-based short film production, Silence and Sound.
It is a closely guarded secret that Jason is actually Count Dracula in disguise. We believe this accounts for his diverse range of talents, which he has developed over many years, indeed centuries. It is rumoured that he once met Michelangelo, who taught him to draw and sculpt. How he gets around during the day, however, remains a mystery, but somehow he manages to participate in surfing (to get a tan perhaps?) and climbing (staircases of his mansion in Transylvania?).
Jason
About
page 55
If you asked Aurette to think in pictures, she’d probably imagine a word cloud. That’s how much she loves writing, and will spend ages agonising over a single sentence until she gets the words just right.
A qualified and experienced journalist, Aurette has written extensively for numerous publications
across a wide spectrum of industries, including information technology, defence, bowhunting (not a hobby, just a client), flooring, design and décor, retail and business.
She’s interviewed a few big names over the years, the most notable being singer-songwriter PJ Powers, former South African cricketer Paul Adams and renowned businessman Grant Pattison. Included among her personal achievements is the publication of her own book, Someone’s Daughter.
Aurette is also an accomplished scriptwriter, and has been involved in the production of corporate, marketing and training videos for companies such as Anglo American, Auditor General of South Africa, Armscor and Amplats.
As Studio Creativ Xpression’s chief editor and writer, she loves nothing more than to give a creative twist to humdrum technical information. Whether it’s a training manual, product information, or message from the CEO, Aurette will turn it into a written masterpiece that your readers won’t want to put down.
bowesauretteEveryone at Studio Creativ Xpression is an artist,
including Monice, who is particularly gifted in the art of
new business development, specifically sales, marketing
and publishing. Give her lemons, for example, and she
makes grape juice. Then she sits back and watches as the
rest of us wonder how she did it.
Monice is particularly adept at negotiating and influencing
others to generate new business. Utilising her strong
communication and interpersonal skills she once sold a
cape to Batman, after clinching a life insurance deal with
Dracula. As an exceptionally well-organised professional,
she uses her tenacity and charm to develop, motivate and
lead teams to achieve their targets within deadlines.
Highly self-motivated and committed to professional
development, Monice is always up for a challenge and is
never afraid to try something new (mostly because she
knows she’ll regret it if she doesn’t). Consequently, in her
next life Monice wants to live it backwards.
krugermonice
page 57
Mystar Engage delivers bespoke, performance-
changing e-learning experiences.
Because we believe there’s more to e-learning than
just reading and clicking, it should be engaging,
stimulating and fun, inspiring people to change the
way they think, act, and work.
From formulating instructional design and writing
assessments, to creating video, animations
and graphics, we’ll build a solution that will
help you develop an empowered workforce,
ready to change the world.
www.starschools.co.za
page 59
Change e-Learning solutions
with Aurette Bowes
This is the self-paced world of e-learning, where learners are empowered to learn on their own terms. It’s an
environment which Mystar Engage has been researching, developing and gaining maturity in since 2011.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Schools, provider of turnkey teaching, learning and management solutions to basic education for the past 46 years, Mystar Engage offers bespoke e-learning solutions that can be tailored to suit the unique learning and career development requirements of any organisation.
“We view the virtual learning eco-system as a holistic and digitally enhanced teaching and learning environment, specifically designed to enrich the new age paradigm for the learning experience,” explains COO Haroon Motalib. “So if it’s performance-changing learning experiences your company is looking for, then our powerful turnkey solutions are exactly what you need.”
“At Mystar Engage we believe there’s more to e-learning than just reading and clicking,” he continues. “We use our clients’ training content to develop solutions that are interactive, stimulating and fun, inspiring people to change the way they think, act and work.”
Mystar Engage brings instructional design and assessments to life through video, animations and graphics. The company works in close collaboration with turnkey ICT solutions provider and systems integrator CPS Technologies and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Studio Creativ Xpression (specialising in illustration, graphic design and web development) and G1 Media (offering audio-visual, photography and animation services). The companies interact synergistically with one another to create superior technological solutions that subscribe to the highest quality standards.
“We utilise the talents of their creative writers, illustrators, animators and graphic designers, supported by their audio-visual and ICT development infrastructures to build solutions that help companies develop an empowered workforce,” Haroon explains. “The fully equipped 48m2 chroma key recording studio features hi-tech audio and video mastering, editing and animation facilities.”
worldMystar Engage believes in a partnership approach with its clients when developing an e-learning solution.
After all, says Haroon, it’s their content, of which their subject matter experts have the best theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
“Consequently, it makes sense that our clients be involved in the development of the solution. It’s also how we ensure that the final product is exactly right for their organisation.”
Most of the e-learning solutions Mystar Engage develops are made up of four separate modules, each addressing a different aspect of the training content. “This enables organisations to convey as much information as is necessary, without subjecting their learners to information overload,” Haroon explains. “Successful completion of all the modules will ensure that the learners are equipped with the right skill set required by the learning objectives.
“That being said, this approach is not set in stone and can be tailored to suit your specific organisational training requirements and objectives,” he adds.
The e-learning modules can be deployed across any existing learning management system, or one developed by CPS Technologies specifically for the client. Detailed reporting on the learning experience is also provided.
Cloud services enable clients to rapidly deploy their e-learning programmes with minimal investment in infrastructure and resources, while the managed services offering provides offers a flexible outsourced solution to keep systems up to date and operating at peak performance levels.
“As the client, all you have to do is stand back and watch as your empowered workforce starts changing the world,” Haroon concludes.
the
A partnership approach
Let’s face it. When it comes to training, the facilitator-classroom approach just doesn’t hit the right spot anymore. Mobile technology and the benefits of accessing information anywhere, any time is where it’s at.
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saturday school
eblox connect
matric rewrite
Copyright Star Schools 2015created by Studio Creativ Xpression
grade 9 maths programme
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