VERSATILE arts personality Caroline “Nyaka-Chana” Nyaka says her current engagement with United Kingdom's top creative skills training body — Screen Skills — has buttressed her desire to grow the Zimbabwe's film industry.
Screen Skills, previously known as Creative Skillset, is the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based creative industries - animation, film, games, television including children's TV and high-end drama, VFX and immersive technology.
The Ireland-based Nyaka-Chana was among six out of 2 000 applicants, who made it for the Screen Skills training funded by High End Television Productions.
To cap her fine performance, Nyaka-Chana was among three trainees who got further training with her earning a slot as a production coordinator having started the course as a production secretary.
The next level will be production manager then line producer with the whole course duration taking a year.
“I am ever so grateful for this opportunity; from the first cohort only three of us remained and I have stepped up,” Nyaka-Chana told Standard Style.
“It was nerve-wrecking at the start of the training after l learnt that most of the people on the course had actually been doing the job for a while and I was interested to hear their different journeys in the field and their aspirations.”
A product of Avondale Primary School in Harare, Nyaka-Chana said she was still learning the ropes of the industry.
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“I am still enjoying the pathway of honing my skills and expanding knowledge in every aspect of film and television,” she said
“I can now happily share the fabulous news that l have enrolled at the British Action Academy (BAA), which is the only recognised institute in Europe for the provision of stunt performers to Hollywood and major platforms.
“I was shocked to be accepted and to date the induction was the most challenging experience as a performer.
“I have successfully completed phase one out of five and this entailed a masterclass with modules in weapons and unarmed fighting for screen which served as a refresher for me in Combat Skills.
“I look forward to completing the rest of the programmes then start putting skills into practice on the next production.
“It is really exciting just thinking about the level of quality.”
Despite all this Nyaka-Chana believes her country comes first and should benefit from the trainings in order to fulfil her dream.
“I have this thing of comparing wherever I go, no country comes close to Zimbabwe,” she said.
“We are undoubtedly the most naturally beautiful land.
“Speaking of aspirations, mine still remain to be for our beloved nation Dzimbahwe.
“I am not doing this for the sake of obtaining certificates and recognition.
“The ultimate objective is to have the very best and booming film industry in Africa.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have the next James Bond originating from Zimbabwe?
“I am a firm believer in our Zimbo talent and we just simply need the assistance, especially with facilities and equipment otherwise the gifted cast already exists.
“An academy would also be vital for our upcoming artists and future stars.”
