Championing the craft of Editing

WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS OF JOINING SAGE?

Community
We would like to ensure that editors are not kept in isolation, a problem which tends to come with the nature of the job. To this end we aim to increase communication between editors for morale as well as technical and/or creative support.

Socials

We hold social events where editors get to meet their contemporaries, and are able to share their experiences and expertise.

Networking & Connection through the WhatsApp Group  

Through the WhatsApp group, members offer each other technical support and advice. We also share our experiences, ask each other for advice regarding job offers, schedule concerns and contracts, as well as the occasional laugh.

Workshops/Panels

We host masterclasses, workshops, seminars and screenings.

In light of his book ‘Order In Chaos’ we had the pleasure of hosting editor Niels Pagh Andersen  – one of the foremost film editors in the world whose films, it can be argued, have forever changed the landscape of documentary filmmaking and continue to do so – in SA for masterclasses and screenings in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2023. We had the privilege of listening to and engaging with the documentary editing master taking us from dreams to nightmares, life experiences to edit room tales and tricks. We were once again reminded of the need for dialogue, community, collaboration, fear, doubt and love in the stories we tell.

In February 2023, SAGE, in collaboration with the AFDA and WITS film schools and The Centre for The Less Good Idea, hosted two special events at each institution. The events featured Walter Murch, the Academy Award-winning film editor and sound designer renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to modern cinema.

At AFDA, Murch presented a screening of Coup 53, a documentary film he dedicated nine years to creating. Meanwhile, at The Centre for The Less Good Idea, Murch engaged in a conversation with renowned artist William Kentridge, reflecting on their collaboration for the episodic series Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot, currently streaming on MUBI. During both events, Murch shared insights into his artistic process, his approach to working with film and narrative, and the pivotal role of editing in storytelling.

In 2022 we partnered with TEMPO and Netflix to host the first VFX editor course of its kind in South Africa. This course was aimed at those who want to make a career as a VFX editor and provide Netflix with a repository of VFX editors to access for their projects in the country.

Job Offers

For producers looking to hire, we provide a verified list of members and their post-production skills. We also send out job opportunities to our membership mailing list.

Advocacy Work

We represent post-production professionals’ interests at industry and government levels. SAGE remains steadfast in our advocacy efforts alongside key organisations like SASFED, DSAC, ICASA, and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), making sure our members understand the broader context of these partnerships and how they directly benefit from them.

At the DSAC stakeholder engagement in August 2024 at the CCI Ministerial Bosbaraad, Simon L Makwela, on behalf of SAGE, highlighted two critical points that deserve further attention:

A significant concern in our industry is the nature of contracts binding freelance film and television professionals. These contracts often fail to provide adequate protections or benefits. Moreover, there’s a pressing issue with how the Department of Labour views these professionals – not as employees, which impacts their rights and entitlements.

It’s crucial to recognise that post-production professionals, represented by SAGE, form the last line in the value chain of film and television media production. Our work is essential in bringing the final product to the screens, yet our position at the end of this chain often leaves us vulnerable to budget constraints and time pressures.

These issues significantly impact the livelihoods and working conditions of many talented individuals in our industry. As we continue our discussions with stakeholders, including the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we must ensure these concerns are addressed to build a more equitable and sustainable film and television sector in South Africa.