malvernmugadzikwa
Society Reporter
MULTI-TALENTED artiste Caroline Nyaka-Chana continues to make waves and push the boundaries as she raises the country’s flag high in the international big and small screen sector.
Nyaka-Chana was one of the six candidates selected to enrol for a year-long film and television production training in the United Kingdom under Screen Skills.
The Zimbabwe-born and Ireland-based artiste secured the slot after shrugging off competition from more than 2 000 applicants and was the only black person on the final list.
The versatile arts personality successfully completed the rigorous training last month.
This development will now result in her rising from the position of production secretary to production coordinator in film production.
“I am still enjoying the pathway of honing my skills and expanding knowledge in every aspect of film and television.
“I am excited to have been part of high-end television productions by Screen Skills after a tight selection of just six candidates out of 2 000 applicants and interestingly, I was the only black person to make the cut,” Nyaka-Chana told The Sunday Mail Society.
She described the intensive training as stressful and demanding longer hours of concentration.
“From the first cohort, only three of us remain. The other half could not last the distance. I am excited to have stepped up again,” she said.
“It was nerve-wrecking at the start of training to learn that most of the people who enrolled for the course had actually been doing the job for a while. It was interesting to hear their different journeys to date and aspirations for the future.”
Upon completing the intensive year-long programme, she last week enrolled for a stunts course with the British Action Academy (BAA), a move that she also hopes will further hone her filmmaking skills.
BAA is said to be the only institute in Europe that is recognised for the provision of stunt performers to Hollywood and other major film platforms.
“In addition to production training, I can now happily share the fabulous news about my enrolment at the BAA. I was shocked to be accepted and the induction was my most challenging experience to date as a performer.
“I have just successfully completed phase one out of five, which entails a masterclass with modules in weapons and unarmed fighting for screen, serving as a refresher for me in combat skills.
“I look forward to completing the rest of the phases, then start putting skills into practice on the next production,” said a jolly Nyaka-Chana.
The artiste, who has two decades’ experience in the arts industry, is looking forward to giving back the knowledge she has gained over the years by setting up a multi-purpose arts academy in the country.
“Talking about aspirations, mine still remains to be able to uplift budding talent in our beloved nation, Zimbabwe. I am not doing this for the sake of obtaining certificates and recognition but my ultimate objective is to have the very best and booming film industry in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.
“I am a firm believer in our Zimbabwean talent and we just simply need assistance, especially with facilities and equipment, otherwise the gifted cast already exists. A proper and well-equipped academy would be a good starting point in assisting our upcoming artistes and future stars,” she said.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter