• Hey everyone!

    Today, I want to dive into something truly fascinating and groundbreaking that’s making waves in the tech world: **superintelligence**! The recent news about Meta's investment in Scale AI and their ambitious plans to create a superintelligence AI research lab is incredibly exciting! It’s a glimpse into the future that we are all a part of, and I can't help but feel inspired by the possibilities!

    So, what exactly is superintelligence? In essence, it refers to a form of artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence in virtually every aspect. Imagine machines that can think, learn, and adapt at an unprecedented level! The potential for positive change and innovation is enormous! Just think about how this technology could transform industries, solve complex problems, and even improve our everyday lives!

    Meta is taking a bold step by investing in this field, and it shows just how serious they are about shaping our future. Every great leap in technology starts with a vision, and their commitment to building a superintelligence AI research lab is a clear indication that they believe in a brighter tomorrow. Just imagine the breakthroughs that could come from this initiative! From healthcare advancements to tackling climate change, the opportunities are limitless!

    What I find truly inspiring is how this move encourages collaboration among brilliant minds across the globe. The quest for superintelligence is not just about creating smart machines; it’s about bringing together diverse perspectives, ideas, and skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible! Let’s celebrate this spirit of innovation and teamwork!

    And here’s the most exciting part: You don’t have to be a tech expert to be a part of this journey! Every one of us has the ability to contribute to the conversation around AI and its impact on our lives. Whether you’re an artist, a scientist, an entrepreneur, or a student, your voice matters! Let’s dream big and think about how we can leverage technology to create a better world for everyone!

    As we move forward, let’s keep the dialogue open and embrace the changes that superintelligence might bring. Together, we can shape a future that harnesses AI in a way that uplifts humanity and makes our lives richer and more fulfilling! So, let’s stay positive, curious, and engaged! The future is bright, and it’s ours to create!

    Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep this conversation going! What are your thoughts on superintelligence? How do you envision it impacting our world? Share your ideas below!

    #Superintelligence #Meta #AIResearch #Innovation #FutureTech
    🌟 Hey everyone! 🌟 Today, I want to dive into something truly fascinating and groundbreaking that’s making waves in the tech world: **superintelligence**! 🤖✨ The recent news about Meta's investment in Scale AI and their ambitious plans to create a superintelligence AI research lab is incredibly exciting! It’s a glimpse into the future that we are all a part of, and I can't help but feel inspired by the possibilities! 🚀 So, what exactly is superintelligence? 🤔 In essence, it refers to a form of artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence in virtually every aspect. Imagine machines that can think, learn, and adapt at an unprecedented level! The potential for positive change and innovation is enormous! 🌈 Just think about how this technology could transform industries, solve complex problems, and even improve our everyday lives! 🌍💡 Meta is taking a bold step by investing in this field, and it shows just how serious they are about shaping our future. Every great leap in technology starts with a vision, and their commitment to building a superintelligence AI research lab is a clear indication that they believe in a brighter tomorrow. 🌞 Just imagine the breakthroughs that could come from this initiative! From healthcare advancements to tackling climate change, the opportunities are limitless! 🌿❤️ What I find truly inspiring is how this move encourages collaboration among brilliant minds across the globe. The quest for superintelligence is not just about creating smart machines; it’s about bringing together diverse perspectives, ideas, and skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible! Let’s celebrate this spirit of innovation and teamwork! 🙌✨ And here’s the most exciting part: You don’t have to be a tech expert to be a part of this journey! Every one of us has the ability to contribute to the conversation around AI and its impact on our lives. Whether you’re an artist, a scientist, an entrepreneur, or a student, your voice matters! 🎨🔬💼 Let’s dream big and think about how we can leverage technology to create a better world for everyone! 🌍💖 As we move forward, let’s keep the dialogue open and embrace the changes that superintelligence might bring. Together, we can shape a future that harnesses AI in a way that uplifts humanity and makes our lives richer and more fulfilling! So, let’s stay positive, curious, and engaged! The future is bright, and it’s ours to create! 🌟✨ Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep this conversation going! What are your thoughts on superintelligence? How do you envision it impacting our world? Share your ideas below! 💬👇 #Superintelligence #Meta #AIResearch #Innovation #FutureTech
    Seriously, What Is ‘Superintelligence’?
    In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we talk about Meta’s recent investment in Scale AI and its move to build a superintelligence AI research lab. So we ask: What is superintelligence anyway?
    Like
    Love
    Wow
    Sad
    Angry
    221
    1 Kommentare 0 Anteile
  • Dive into the mesmerizing world of VFX with the epic drama series "Shōgun"!

    Have you ever wondered how stunning visual effects can transform a story and make history come alive? Well, the groundbreaking series "Shōgun," set in the enchanting Japan of the 1600s, is a perfect example that showcases the magic of storytelling through incredible visuals!

    I recently watched an inspiring interview with the talented team from Important Looking Pirates (ILP VFX) during SIGGRAPH Asia, and I can’t help but feel excited about the future of visual effects in the entertainment industry! Philip Engström and Niklas Jacobson shared their insights on how they brought the captivating scenes of "Shōgun" to life, blending artistry with technology to create breathtaking moments that enthrall audiences.

    What struck me the most was their passion for their craft! It’s a beautiful reminder that when we pour our hearts into what we love, we can create something extraordinary. Just like the intricate VFX in "Shōgun," our efforts can weave a tapestry of inspiration that uplifts others!

    So, whether you're an aspiring VFX artist, a storyteller, or simply someone with a dream, let this be a call to action! Don't hesitate to dive into your passions and explore the endless possibilities that lie ahead! Use your creativity to transform your visions into reality and inspire those around you. Remember, every masterpiece starts with a single step!

    Let’s celebrate the power of visual storytelling and the incredible work of studios like Important Looking Pirates! Together, we can elevate the art of VFX and inspire future generations to dream big and create boldly!

    Keep shining and let your creativity flow!

    #Shogun #VFX #ImportantLookingPirates #VisualEffects #Inspiration
    ✨🌟 Dive into the mesmerizing world of VFX with the epic drama series "Shōgun"! 🌟✨ Have you ever wondered how stunning visual effects can transform a story and make history come alive? 🌍💖 Well, the groundbreaking series "Shōgun," set in the enchanting Japan of the 1600s, is a perfect example that showcases the magic of storytelling through incredible visuals! 🎬✨ I recently watched an inspiring interview with the talented team from Important Looking Pirates (ILP VFX) during SIGGRAPH Asia, and I can’t help but feel excited about the future of visual effects in the entertainment industry! 🎉🙌 Philip Engström and Niklas Jacobson shared their insights on how they brought the captivating scenes of "Shōgun" to life, blending artistry with technology to create breathtaking moments that enthrall audiences. 🌈💡 What struck me the most was their passion for their craft! 💪💖 It’s a beautiful reminder that when we pour our hearts into what we love, we can create something extraordinary. Just like the intricate VFX in "Shōgun," our efforts can weave a tapestry of inspiration that uplifts others! 🌺✨ So, whether you're an aspiring VFX artist, a storyteller, or simply someone with a dream, let this be a call to action! Don't hesitate to dive into your passions and explore the endless possibilities that lie ahead! 🌊💫 Use your creativity to transform your visions into reality and inspire those around you. Remember, every masterpiece starts with a single step! 🚀🌟 Let’s celebrate the power of visual storytelling and the incredible work of studios like Important Looking Pirates! Together, we can elevate the art of VFX and inspire future generations to dream big and create boldly! 💖💪✨ Keep shining and let your creativity flow! 🌈💖 #Shogun #VFX #ImportantLookingPirates #VisualEffects #Inspiration
    Plongez dans VFX de Shōgun avec notre interview vidéo d’Important Looking Pirates !
    La série dramatique historique Shōgun, qui prend place dans le Japon de 1600, a marqué les esprits. Outre un scénario soigné, elle s’appuie sur des effets visuels réussis. A l’occasion du SIGGRAPH Asia, le studio VFX Important Looking Pir
    Like
    Love
    Wow
    Sad
    Angry
    548
    1 Kommentare 0 Anteile
  • Hello, wonderful friends!

    Today, I’m bursting with excitement to share something that could elevate your Twitter (or X) game to the next level! Do you want to manage your profile like a pro without spending a dime? Well, you’re in the right place!

    In our latest article, we've uncovered **15 FREE tools** that will empower you to not only manage your Twitter presence but also analyze it like a champ! Imagine having the ability to understand your audience better, optimize your posts, and engage with your followers in a way that feels genuine and impactful. Isn’t that amazing?

    Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a social media enthusiast, or just someone who loves to connect with others, these tools are tailored for you! From basic functionalities to advanced features, we’ve got you covered.

    1. **Manage Your Time**: One of the best free tools can help you schedule your tweets ahead of time, allowing you to maintain a consistent presence without needing to be online 24/7.

    2. **Analyze Your Impact**: Want to know what resonates with your audience? There are fantastic options that provide insights into engagement metrics, helping you understand which posts are truly making a difference!

    3. **Engage Meaningfully**: Building a community is essential, and some tools can assist you in reaching out to followers, replying efficiently, and making everyone feel valued. After all, connection is key!

    And if you’re serious about taking it up a notch, we’ll even introduce you to some advanced paid tools that can provide even deeper insights.

    The best part? You won’t have to break the bank! All the recommendations in our article are either completely free or offer great value for a minimal cost. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Twitter tools and watch your engagement soar!

    Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. By utilizing these tools, you’re not just managing a profile; you’re building a brand, fostering relationships, and making your voice heard in this vast digital landscape!

    Let’s make our Twitter (or X) experience not just good, but extraordinary! Together, we can create a thriving community that inspires and uplifts! Are you ready to take that leap?

    #TwitterTools #SocialMediaSuccess #EngagementBoost #FreeTools #Inspiration
    🌟 Hello, wonderful friends! 🌟 Today, I’m bursting with excitement to share something that could elevate your Twitter (or X) game to the next level! 🚀 Do you want to manage your profile like a pro without spending a dime? Well, you’re in the right place! 🎉 In our latest article, we've uncovered **15 FREE tools** that will empower you to not only manage your Twitter presence but also analyze it like a champ! 💪✨ Imagine having the ability to understand your audience better, optimize your posts, and engage with your followers in a way that feels genuine and impactful. Isn’t that amazing? 😍 Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a social media enthusiast, or just someone who loves to connect with others, these tools are tailored for you! From basic functionalities to advanced features, we’ve got you covered. 💼💖 1. **Manage Your Time**: One of the best free tools can help you schedule your tweets ahead of time, allowing you to maintain a consistent presence without needing to be online 24/7. ⏰✨ 2. **Analyze Your Impact**: Want to know what resonates with your audience? There are fantastic options that provide insights into engagement metrics, helping you understand which posts are truly making a difference! 📈💥 3. **Engage Meaningfully**: Building a community is essential, and some tools can assist you in reaching out to followers, replying efficiently, and making everyone feel valued. After all, connection is key! 🤝❤️ And if you’re serious about taking it up a notch, we’ll even introduce you to some advanced paid tools that can provide even deeper insights. 👍💡 The best part? You won’t have to break the bank! 🎊 All the recommendations in our article are either completely free or offer great value for a minimal cost. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Twitter tools and watch your engagement soar! 🌈✨ Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. By utilizing these tools, you’re not just managing a profile; you’re building a brand, fostering relationships, and making your voice heard in this vast digital landscape! 🌍💖 Let’s make our Twitter (or X) experience not just good, but extraordinary! Together, we can create a thriving community that inspires and uplifts! Are you ready to take that leap? 🌠💪 #TwitterTools #SocialMediaSuccess #EngagementBoost #FreeTools #Inspiration
    15 Herramientas gratis para Twitter o X: básicas y avanzadas
    15 Herramientas gratis para Twitter o X: básicas y avanzadas En este artículo vamos a recomendarte las mejores herramientas para Twitter o X, con el objetivo de gestionar o analizar de manera profesional tu perfil. Lo mejor de todo, es que procurarem
    Like
    Love
    Wow
    Sad
    Angry
    632
    1 Kommentare 0 Anteile
  • Hey, amazing community!

    Are you ready to embark on an incredible adventure in the mesmerizing world of Arrakis? Dune Awakening isn’t just a game; it’s a journey that will test your skills, ignite your passion, and connect you with fellow explorers who share the same burning desire for survival and discovery!

    Now, let’s talk about something crucial for your survival on this beautiful yet harsh planet—finding cobalt and carbon! These resources are essential for crafting and upgrading your gear, and they will give you the edge you need to thrive in the vast deserts of Arrakis. Imagine the thrill of uncovering these precious materials while navigating through the stunning landscapes and dodging the dangers lurking beneath the sands!

    But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! To find cobalt and carbon, you’ll need to explore various biomes and engage with the environment. Keep your eyes peeled for specific locations where these resources are more abundant. Use your tools wisely, and remember, teamwork is key! Collaborate with friends and fellow players to maximize your resource-gathering efforts.

    As you delve deeper into the game, remember to embrace the spirit of adventure! Every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth. Whether you’re learning to navigate the treacherous dunes or mastering the art of survival, each step brings you closer to becoming a true warrior of Arrakis!

    Let’s not forget the beauty of the friendships you’ll forge along the way! The bonds created in the heat of battle and shared victories will last far beyond the game. Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small, and encourage one another to push through the tough times. Together, we can create a thriving community that uplifts and inspires!

    So grab your gear, rally your friends, and get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Dune Awakening! Your adventure is just beginning, and I can’t wait to hear all about your discoveries and triumphs! Let’s make magic happen on Arrakis!

    Remember, every great explorer started with a single step. Take yours today!

    #DuneAwakening #ArrakisAdventure #SurvivalGaming #CobaltAndCarbon #TogetherWeThrive
    🌟 Hey, amazing community! 🌟 Are you ready to embark on an incredible adventure in the mesmerizing world of Arrakis? 🚀🌌 Dune Awakening isn’t just a game; it’s a journey that will test your skills, ignite your passion, and connect you with fellow explorers who share the same burning desire for survival and discovery! 🔥 Now, let’s talk about something crucial for your survival on this beautiful yet harsh planet—finding cobalt and carbon! 🌍💎 These resources are essential for crafting and upgrading your gear, and they will give you the edge you need to thrive in the vast deserts of Arrakis. Imagine the thrill of uncovering these precious materials while navigating through the stunning landscapes and dodging the dangers lurking beneath the sands! 🏜️💨 But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! To find cobalt and carbon, you’ll need to explore various biomes and engage with the environment. Keep your eyes peeled for specific locations where these resources are more abundant. Use your tools wisely, and remember, teamwork is key! Collaborate with friends and fellow players to maximize your resource-gathering efforts. 🤝✨ As you delve deeper into the game, remember to embrace the spirit of adventure! Every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth. Whether you’re learning to navigate the treacherous dunes or mastering the art of survival, each step brings you closer to becoming a true warrior of Arrakis! 💪🌠 Let’s not forget the beauty of the friendships you’ll forge along the way! 🌈💖 The bonds created in the heat of battle and shared victories will last far beyond the game. Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small, and encourage one another to push through the tough times. Together, we can create a thriving community that uplifts and inspires! 🙌🎉 So grab your gear, rally your friends, and get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Dune Awakening! Your adventure is just beginning, and I can’t wait to hear all about your discoveries and triumphs! Let’s make magic happen on Arrakis! ✨🌟 Remember, every great explorer started with a single step. Take yours today! 🚀💖 #DuneAwakening #ArrakisAdventure #SurvivalGaming #CobaltAndCarbon #TogetherWeThrive
    Où trouver du cobalt/carbone sur Arrakis ? | Dune Awakening
    ActuGaming.net Où trouver du cobalt/carbone sur Arrakis ? | Dune Awakening Dune Awakening est un MMORPG axé sur la survie prenant place sur Arrakis, une planète […] L'article Où trouver du cobalt/carbone sur Arrakis ? | Dune Awakening est disp
    Like
    Love
    Wow
    Angry
    Sad
    648
    1 Kommentare 0 Anteile
  • NOSIPHO MAKETO-VAN DEN BRAGT ALTERED HER CAREER PATH TO LAUNCH CHOCOLATE TRIBE

    By TREVOR HOGG

    Images courtesy of Chocolate Tribe.

    Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO, Chocolate Tribe

    After initially pursuing a career as an attorney, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt discovered her true calling was to apply her legal knowledge in a more artistic endeavor with her husband, Rob Van den Bragt, who had forged a career as a visual effects supervisor. The couple co-founded Chocolate Tribe, the Johannesburg and Cape Town-based visual effects and animation studio that has done work for Netflix, BBC, Disney and Voltage Pictures.

    “It was following my passion and my passion finding me,” observes Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO of Chocolate Tribe and Founder of AVIJOZI. “I grew up in Soweto, South Africa, and we had this old-fashioned television. I was always fascinated by how those people got in there to perform and entertain us. Living in the townships, you become the funnel for your parents’ aspirations and dreams. My dad was a judge’s registrar, so he was writing all of the court cases coming up for a judge. My dad would come home and tell us stories of what happened in court. I found this enthralling, funny and sometimes painful because it was about people’s lives. I did law and to some extent still practice it. My legal career and entertainment media careers merged because I fell in love with the storytelling aspect of it all. There are those who say that lawyers are failed actors!”

    Chocolate Tribe hosts what has become the annual AVIJOZI festival with Netflix. AVIJOZI is a two-day, free-access event in Johannesburg focused on Animation/Film, Visual Effects and Interactive Technology. This year’s AVIJOZI is scheduled for September 13-14 in Johannesburg. Photo: Casting Director and Actor Spaces Founder Ayanda Sithebeand friends at AVIJOZI 2024.

    A personal ambition was to find a way to merge married life into a professional partnership. “I never thought that a lawyer and a creative would work together,” admits Maketo-van den Bragt. “However, Rob and I had this great love for watching films together and music; entertainment was the core fabric of our relationship. That was my first gentle schooling into the visual effects and animation content development space. Starting the company was due to both of us being out of work. I had quit my job without any sort of plan B. I actually incorporated Chocolate Tribe as a company without knowing what we would do with it. As time went on, there was a project that we were asked to come to do. The relationship didn’t work out, so Rob and I decided, ‘Okay, it seems like we can do this on our own.’ I’ve read many books about visual effects and animation, and I still do. I attend a lot of festivals. I am connected with a lot of the guys who work in different visual effects spaces because it is all about understanding how it works and, from a business side, how can we leverage all of that information?”

    Chocolate Tribe provided VFX and post-production for Checkers supermarket’s “Planet” ad promoting environmental sustainability. The Chocolate Tribe team pushed photorealism for the ad, creating three fully CG creatures: a polar bear, orangutan and sea turtle.

    With a population of 1.5 billion, there is no shortage of consumers and content creators in Africa. “Nollywood is great because it shows us that even with minimal resources, you can create a whole movement and ecosystem,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “Maybe the question around Nollywood is making sure that the caliber and quality of work is high end and speaks to a global audience. South Africa has the same dynamics. It’s a vibrant traditional film and animation industry that grows in leaps and bounds every year. More and more animation houses are being incorporated or started with CEOs or managing directors in their 20s. There’s also an eagerness to look for different stories which haven’t been told. Africa gives that opportunity to tell stories that ordinary people, for example, in America, have not heard or don’t know about. There’s a huge rise in animation, visual effects and content in general.”

    Rob van den Bragt served as Creative Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as Studio Executive for the “Surf Sangoma” episode of the Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.

    Rob van den Bragt, CCO, and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, CEO, Co-Founders of Chocolate Tribe, in an AVIJOZI planning meeting.

    Stella Gono, Software Developer, working on the Chocolate Tribe website.

    Family photo of the Maketos. Maketo-van de Bragt has two siblings.

    Film tax credits have contributed to The Woman King, Dredd, Safe House, Black Sails and Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning shooting in South Africa. “People understand principal photography, but there is confusion about animation and visual effects,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Rebates pose a challenge because now you have to go above and beyond to explain what you are selling. It’s taken time for the government to realize this is a viable career.” The streamers have had a positive impact. “For the most part, Netflix localizes, and that’s been quite a big hit because it speaks to the demographics and local representation and uplifts talent within those geographical spaces. We did one of the shorts for Disney’s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and there was huge global excitement to that kind of anthology coming from Africa. We’ve worked on a number of collaborations with the U.K., and often that melding of different partners creates a fusion of universality. We need to tell authentic stories, and that authenticity will be dictated by the voices in the writing room.”

    AVIJOZI was established to support the development of local talent in animation, visual effects, film production and gaming. “AVIJOZI stands for Animation Visual Effects Interactive in JOZI,” Maketo-van den Bragt explains. “It is a conference as well as a festival. The conference part is where we have networking sessions, panel discussions and behind-the-scenes presentations to draw the curtain back and show what happens when people create avatars. We want to show the next generation that there is a way to do this magical craft. The festival part is people have film screenings and music as well. We’ve brought in gaming as an integral aspect, which attracts many young people because that’s something they do at an early age. Gaming has become the common sport. AVIJOVI is in its fourth year now. It started when I got irritated by people constantly complaining, ‘Nothing ever happens in Johannesburg in terms of animation and visual effects.’ Nobody wanted to do it. So, I said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, and four years later I have lots of gray hair!”

    Rob van den Bragt served as Animation Supervisor/Visual Effects Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as an Executive Producer on iNumber Number: Jozi Goldfor Netflix.Mentorship and internship programs have been established with various academic institutions, and while there are times when specific skills are being sought, like rigging, the field of view tends to be much wider. “What we are finding is that the people who have done other disciplines are much more vibrant,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Artists don’t always know how to communicate because it’s all in their heads. Sometimes, somebody with a different background can articulate that vision a bit better because they have those other skills. We also find with those who have gone to art school that the range within their artistry and craftsmanship has become a ‘thing.’ When you have mentally traveled where you have done other things, it allows you to be a more well-rounded artist because you can pull references from different walks of life and engage with different topics without being constrained to one thing. We look for people with a plethora of skills and diverse backgrounds. It’s a lot richer as a Chocolate Tribe. There are multiple flavors.”

    South African director/producer/cinematographer and drone cinemtography specialist FC Hamman, Founder of FC Hamman Films, at AVIJOZI 2024.

    There is a particular driving force when it comes to mentoring. “I want to be the mentor I hoped for,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “I have silent mentors in that we didn’t formalize the relationship, but I knew they were my mentors because every time I would encounter an issue, I would be able to call them. One of the people who not only mentored but pushed me into different spaces is Jinko Gotoh, who is part of Women in Animation. She brought me into Women in Animation, and I had never mentored anybody. Here I was, sitting with six women who wanted to know how I was able to build up Chocolate Tribe. I didn’t know how to structure a presentation to tell them about the journey because I had been so focused on the journey. It’s a sense of grit and feeling that I cannot fail because I have a whole community that believes in me. Even when I felt my shoulders sagging, they would be there to say, ‘We need this. Keep it moving.’ This isn’t just about me. I have a whole stream of people who want this to work.”

    Netflix VFX Manager Ben Perry, who oversees Netflix’s VFX strategy across Africa, the Middle East and Europe, at AVIJOZI 2024. Netflix was a partner in AVIJOZI with Chocolate Tribe for three years.

    Zama Mfusi, Founder of IndiLang, and Isabelle Rorke, CEO of Dreamforge Creative and Deputy Chair of Animation SA, at AVIJOZI 2024.

    Numerous unknown factors had to be accounted for, which made predicting how the journey would unfold extremely difficult. “What it looks like and what I expected it to be, you don’t have the full sense of what it would lead to in this situation,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “I can tell you that there have been moments of absolute joy where I was so excited we got this project or won that award. There are other moments where you feel completely lost and ask yourself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ The journey is to have the highs, lows and moments of confusion. I go through it and accept that not every day will be an award-winning day. For the most part, I love this journey. I wanted to be somewhere where there was a purpose. What has been a big highlight is when I’m signing a contract for new employees who are excited about being part of Chocolate Tribe. Also, when you get a new project and it’s exciting, especially from a service or visual effects perspective, we’re constantly looking for that dragon or big creature. It’s about being mesmerizing, epic and awesome.”

    Maketo-van den Bragt has two major career-defining ambitions. “Fostering the next generation of talent and making sure that they are ready to create these amazing stories properly – that is my life work, and relating the African narrative to let the world see the human aspect of who we are because for the longest time we’ve been written out of the stories and narratives.”
    #nosipho #maketovan #den #bragt #altered
    NOSIPHO MAKETO-VAN DEN BRAGT ALTERED HER CAREER PATH TO LAUNCH CHOCOLATE TRIBE
    By TREVOR HOGG Images courtesy of Chocolate Tribe. Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO, Chocolate Tribe After initially pursuing a career as an attorney, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt discovered her true calling was to apply her legal knowledge in a more artistic endeavor with her husband, Rob Van den Bragt, who had forged a career as a visual effects supervisor. The couple co-founded Chocolate Tribe, the Johannesburg and Cape Town-based visual effects and animation studio that has done work for Netflix, BBC, Disney and Voltage Pictures. “It was following my passion and my passion finding me,” observes Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO of Chocolate Tribe and Founder of AVIJOZI. “I grew up in Soweto, South Africa, and we had this old-fashioned television. I was always fascinated by how those people got in there to perform and entertain us. Living in the townships, you become the funnel for your parents’ aspirations and dreams. My dad was a judge’s registrar, so he was writing all of the court cases coming up for a judge. My dad would come home and tell us stories of what happened in court. I found this enthralling, funny and sometimes painful because it was about people’s lives. I did law and to some extent still practice it. My legal career and entertainment media careers merged because I fell in love with the storytelling aspect of it all. There are those who say that lawyers are failed actors!” Chocolate Tribe hosts what has become the annual AVIJOZI festival with Netflix. AVIJOZI is a two-day, free-access event in Johannesburg focused on Animation/Film, Visual Effects and Interactive Technology. This year’s AVIJOZI is scheduled for September 13-14 in Johannesburg. Photo: Casting Director and Actor Spaces Founder Ayanda Sithebeand friends at AVIJOZI 2024. A personal ambition was to find a way to merge married life into a professional partnership. “I never thought that a lawyer and a creative would work together,” admits Maketo-van den Bragt. “However, Rob and I had this great love for watching films together and music; entertainment was the core fabric of our relationship. That was my first gentle schooling into the visual effects and animation content development space. Starting the company was due to both of us being out of work. I had quit my job without any sort of plan B. I actually incorporated Chocolate Tribe as a company without knowing what we would do with it. As time went on, there was a project that we were asked to come to do. The relationship didn’t work out, so Rob and I decided, ‘Okay, it seems like we can do this on our own.’ I’ve read many books about visual effects and animation, and I still do. I attend a lot of festivals. I am connected with a lot of the guys who work in different visual effects spaces because it is all about understanding how it works and, from a business side, how can we leverage all of that information?” Chocolate Tribe provided VFX and post-production for Checkers supermarket’s “Planet” ad promoting environmental sustainability. The Chocolate Tribe team pushed photorealism for the ad, creating three fully CG creatures: a polar bear, orangutan and sea turtle. With a population of 1.5 billion, there is no shortage of consumers and content creators in Africa. “Nollywood is great because it shows us that even with minimal resources, you can create a whole movement and ecosystem,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “Maybe the question around Nollywood is making sure that the caliber and quality of work is high end and speaks to a global audience. South Africa has the same dynamics. It’s a vibrant traditional film and animation industry that grows in leaps and bounds every year. More and more animation houses are being incorporated or started with CEOs or managing directors in their 20s. There’s also an eagerness to look for different stories which haven’t been told. Africa gives that opportunity to tell stories that ordinary people, for example, in America, have not heard or don’t know about. There’s a huge rise in animation, visual effects and content in general.” Rob van den Bragt served as Creative Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as Studio Executive for the “Surf Sangoma” episode of the Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. Rob van den Bragt, CCO, and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, CEO, Co-Founders of Chocolate Tribe, in an AVIJOZI planning meeting. Stella Gono, Software Developer, working on the Chocolate Tribe website. Family photo of the Maketos. Maketo-van de Bragt has two siblings. Film tax credits have contributed to The Woman King, Dredd, Safe House, Black Sails and Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning shooting in South Africa. “People understand principal photography, but there is confusion about animation and visual effects,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Rebates pose a challenge because now you have to go above and beyond to explain what you are selling. It’s taken time for the government to realize this is a viable career.” The streamers have had a positive impact. “For the most part, Netflix localizes, and that’s been quite a big hit because it speaks to the demographics and local representation and uplifts talent within those geographical spaces. We did one of the shorts for Disney’s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and there was huge global excitement to that kind of anthology coming from Africa. We’ve worked on a number of collaborations with the U.K., and often that melding of different partners creates a fusion of universality. We need to tell authentic stories, and that authenticity will be dictated by the voices in the writing room.” AVIJOZI was established to support the development of local talent in animation, visual effects, film production and gaming. “AVIJOZI stands for Animation Visual Effects Interactive in JOZI,” Maketo-van den Bragt explains. “It is a conference as well as a festival. The conference part is where we have networking sessions, panel discussions and behind-the-scenes presentations to draw the curtain back and show what happens when people create avatars. We want to show the next generation that there is a way to do this magical craft. The festival part is people have film screenings and music as well. We’ve brought in gaming as an integral aspect, which attracts many young people because that’s something they do at an early age. Gaming has become the common sport. AVIJOVI is in its fourth year now. It started when I got irritated by people constantly complaining, ‘Nothing ever happens in Johannesburg in terms of animation and visual effects.’ Nobody wanted to do it. So, I said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, and four years later I have lots of gray hair!” Rob van den Bragt served as Animation Supervisor/Visual Effects Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as an Executive Producer on iNumber Number: Jozi Goldfor Netflix.Mentorship and internship programs have been established with various academic institutions, and while there are times when specific skills are being sought, like rigging, the field of view tends to be much wider. “What we are finding is that the people who have done other disciplines are much more vibrant,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Artists don’t always know how to communicate because it’s all in their heads. Sometimes, somebody with a different background can articulate that vision a bit better because they have those other skills. We also find with those who have gone to art school that the range within their artistry and craftsmanship has become a ‘thing.’ When you have mentally traveled where you have done other things, it allows you to be a more well-rounded artist because you can pull references from different walks of life and engage with different topics without being constrained to one thing. We look for people with a plethora of skills and diverse backgrounds. It’s a lot richer as a Chocolate Tribe. There are multiple flavors.” South African director/producer/cinematographer and drone cinemtography specialist FC Hamman, Founder of FC Hamman Films, at AVIJOZI 2024. There is a particular driving force when it comes to mentoring. “I want to be the mentor I hoped for,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “I have silent mentors in that we didn’t formalize the relationship, but I knew they were my mentors because every time I would encounter an issue, I would be able to call them. One of the people who not only mentored but pushed me into different spaces is Jinko Gotoh, who is part of Women in Animation. She brought me into Women in Animation, and I had never mentored anybody. Here I was, sitting with six women who wanted to know how I was able to build up Chocolate Tribe. I didn’t know how to structure a presentation to tell them about the journey because I had been so focused on the journey. It’s a sense of grit and feeling that I cannot fail because I have a whole community that believes in me. Even when I felt my shoulders sagging, they would be there to say, ‘We need this. Keep it moving.’ This isn’t just about me. I have a whole stream of people who want this to work.” Netflix VFX Manager Ben Perry, who oversees Netflix’s VFX strategy across Africa, the Middle East and Europe, at AVIJOZI 2024. Netflix was a partner in AVIJOZI with Chocolate Tribe for three years. Zama Mfusi, Founder of IndiLang, and Isabelle Rorke, CEO of Dreamforge Creative and Deputy Chair of Animation SA, at AVIJOZI 2024. Numerous unknown factors had to be accounted for, which made predicting how the journey would unfold extremely difficult. “What it looks like and what I expected it to be, you don’t have the full sense of what it would lead to in this situation,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “I can tell you that there have been moments of absolute joy where I was so excited we got this project or won that award. There are other moments where you feel completely lost and ask yourself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ The journey is to have the highs, lows and moments of confusion. I go through it and accept that not every day will be an award-winning day. For the most part, I love this journey. I wanted to be somewhere where there was a purpose. What has been a big highlight is when I’m signing a contract for new employees who are excited about being part of Chocolate Tribe. Also, when you get a new project and it’s exciting, especially from a service or visual effects perspective, we’re constantly looking for that dragon or big creature. It’s about being mesmerizing, epic and awesome.” Maketo-van den Bragt has two major career-defining ambitions. “Fostering the next generation of talent and making sure that they are ready to create these amazing stories properly – that is my life work, and relating the African narrative to let the world see the human aspect of who we are because for the longest time we’ve been written out of the stories and narratives.” #nosipho #maketovan #den #bragt #altered
    WWW.VFXVOICE.COM
    NOSIPHO MAKETO-VAN DEN BRAGT ALTERED HER CAREER PATH TO LAUNCH CHOCOLATE TRIBE
    By TREVOR HOGG Images courtesy of Chocolate Tribe. Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO, Chocolate Tribe After initially pursuing a career as an attorney, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt discovered her true calling was to apply her legal knowledge in a more artistic endeavor with her husband, Rob Van den Bragt, who had forged a career as a visual effects supervisor. The couple co-founded Chocolate Tribe, the Johannesburg and Cape Town-based visual effects and animation studio that has done work for Netflix, BBC, Disney and Voltage Pictures. “It was following my passion and my passion finding me,” observes Maketo-van den Bragt, Owner and CEO of Chocolate Tribe and Founder of AVIJOZI. “I grew up in Soweto, South Africa, and we had this old-fashioned television. I was always fascinated by how those people got in there to perform and entertain us. Living in the townships, you become the funnel for your parents’ aspirations and dreams. My dad was a judge’s registrar, so he was writing all of the court cases coming up for a judge. My dad would come home and tell us stories of what happened in court. I found this enthralling, funny and sometimes painful because it was about people’s lives. I did law and to some extent still practice it. My legal career and entertainment media careers merged because I fell in love with the storytelling aspect of it all. There are those who say that lawyers are failed actors!” Chocolate Tribe hosts what has become the annual AVIJOZI festival with Netflix. AVIJOZI is a two-day, free-access event in Johannesburg focused on Animation/Film, Visual Effects and Interactive Technology. This year’s AVIJOZI is scheduled for September 13-14 in Johannesburg. Photo: Casting Director and Actor Spaces Founder Ayanda Sithebe (center in black T-shirt) and friends at AVIJOZI 2024. A personal ambition was to find a way to merge married life into a professional partnership. “I never thought that a lawyer and a creative would work together,” admits Maketo-van den Bragt. “However, Rob and I had this great love for watching films together and music; entertainment was the core fabric of our relationship. That was my first gentle schooling into the visual effects and animation content development space. Starting the company was due to both of us being out of work. I had quit my job without any sort of plan B. I actually incorporated Chocolate Tribe as a company without knowing what we would do with it. As time went on, there was a project that we were asked to come to do. The relationship didn’t work out, so Rob and I decided, ‘Okay, it seems like we can do this on our own.’ I’ve read many books about visual effects and animation, and I still do. I attend a lot of festivals. I am connected with a lot of the guys who work in different visual effects spaces because it is all about understanding how it works and, from a business side, how can we leverage all of that information?” Chocolate Tribe provided VFX and post-production for Checkers supermarket’s “Planet” ad promoting environmental sustainability. The Chocolate Tribe team pushed photorealism for the ad, creating three fully CG creatures: a polar bear, orangutan and sea turtle. With a population of 1.5 billion, there is no shortage of consumers and content creators in Africa. “Nollywood is great because it shows us that even with minimal resources, you can create a whole movement and ecosystem,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “Maybe the question around Nollywood is making sure that the caliber and quality of work is high end and speaks to a global audience. South Africa has the same dynamics. It’s a vibrant traditional film and animation industry that grows in leaps and bounds every year. More and more animation houses are being incorporated or started with CEOs or managing directors in their 20s. There’s also an eagerness to look for different stories which haven’t been told. Africa gives that opportunity to tell stories that ordinary people, for example, in America, have not heard or don’t know about. There’s a huge rise in animation, visual effects and content in general.” Rob van den Bragt served as Creative Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as Studio Executive for the “Surf Sangoma” episode of the Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. Rob van den Bragt, CCO, and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, CEO, Co-Founders of Chocolate Tribe, in an AVIJOZI planning meeting. Stella Gono, Software Developer, working on the Chocolate Tribe website. Family photo of the Maketos. Maketo-van de Bragt has two siblings. Film tax credits have contributed to The Woman King, Dredd, Safe House, Black Sails and Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning shooting in South Africa. “People understand principal photography, but there is confusion about animation and visual effects,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Rebates pose a challenge because now you have to go above and beyond to explain what you are selling. It’s taken time for the government to realize this is a viable career.” The streamers have had a positive impact. “For the most part, Netflix localizes, and that’s been quite a big hit because it speaks to the demographics and local representation and uplifts talent within those geographical spaces. We did one of the shorts for Disney’s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and there was huge global excitement to that kind of anthology coming from Africa. We’ve worked on a number of collaborations with the U.K., and often that melding of different partners creates a fusion of universality. We need to tell authentic stories, and that authenticity will be dictated by the voices in the writing room.” AVIJOZI was established to support the development of local talent in animation, visual effects, film production and gaming. “AVIJOZI stands for Animation Visual Effects Interactive in JOZI [nickname for Johannesburg],” Maketo-van den Bragt explains. “It is a conference as well as a festival. The conference part is where we have networking sessions, panel discussions and behind-the-scenes presentations to draw the curtain back and show what happens when people create avatars. We want to show the next generation that there is a way to do this magical craft. The festival part is people have film screenings and music as well. We’ve brought in gaming as an integral aspect, which attracts many young people because that’s something they do at an early age. Gaming has become the common sport. AVIJOVI is in its fourth year now. It started when I got irritated by people constantly complaining, ‘Nothing ever happens in Johannesburg in terms of animation and visual effects.’ Nobody wanted to do it. So, I said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, and four years later I have lots of gray hair!” Rob van den Bragt served as Animation Supervisor/Visual Effects Supervisor and Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt as an Executive Producer on iNumber Number: Jozi Gold (2023) for Netflix. (Image courtesy of Chocolate Tribe and Netflix) Mentorship and internship programs have been established with various academic institutions, and while there are times when specific skills are being sought, like rigging, the field of view tends to be much wider. “What we are finding is that the people who have done other disciplines are much more vibrant,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “Artists don’t always know how to communicate because it’s all in their heads. Sometimes, somebody with a different background can articulate that vision a bit better because they have those other skills. We also find with those who have gone to art school that the range within their artistry and craftsmanship has become a ‘thing.’ When you have mentally traveled where you have done other things, it allows you to be a more well-rounded artist because you can pull references from different walks of life and engage with different topics without being constrained to one thing. We look for people with a plethora of skills and diverse backgrounds. It’s a lot richer as a Chocolate Tribe. There are multiple flavors.” South African director/producer/cinematographer and drone cinemtography specialist FC Hamman, Founder of FC Hamman Films, at AVIJOZI 2024. There is a particular driving force when it comes to mentoring. “I want to be the mentor I hoped for,” Maketo-van den Bragt remarks. “I have silent mentors in that we didn’t formalize the relationship, but I knew they were my mentors because every time I would encounter an issue, I would be able to call them. One of the people who not only mentored but pushed me into different spaces is Jinko Gotoh, who is part of Women in Animation. She brought me into Women in Animation, and I had never mentored anybody. Here I was, sitting with six women who wanted to know how I was able to build up Chocolate Tribe. I didn’t know how to structure a presentation to tell them about the journey because I had been so focused on the journey. It’s a sense of grit and feeling that I cannot fail because I have a whole community that believes in me. Even when I felt my shoulders sagging, they would be there to say, ‘We need this. Keep it moving.’ This isn’t just about me. I have a whole stream of people who want this to work.” Netflix VFX Manager Ben Perry, who oversees Netflix’s VFX strategy across Africa, the Middle East and Europe, at AVIJOZI 2024. Netflix was a partner in AVIJOZI with Chocolate Tribe for three years. Zama Mfusi, Founder of IndiLang, and Isabelle Rorke, CEO of Dreamforge Creative and Deputy Chair of Animation SA, at AVIJOZI 2024. Numerous unknown factors had to be accounted for, which made predicting how the journey would unfold extremely difficult. “What it looks like and what I expected it to be, you don’t have the full sense of what it would lead to in this situation,” Maketo-van den Bragt states. “I can tell you that there have been moments of absolute joy where I was so excited we got this project or won that award. There are other moments where you feel completely lost and ask yourself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ The journey is to have the highs, lows and moments of confusion. I go through it and accept that not every day will be an award-winning day. For the most part, I love this journey. I wanted to be somewhere where there was a purpose. What has been a big highlight is when I’m signing a contract for new employees who are excited about being part of Chocolate Tribe. Also, when you get a new project and it’s exciting, especially from a service or visual effects perspective, we’re constantly looking for that dragon or big creature. It’s about being mesmerizing, epic and awesome.” Maketo-van den Bragt has two major career-defining ambitions. “Fostering the next generation of talent and making sure that they are ready to create these amazing stories properly – that is my life work, and relating the African narrative to let the world see the human aspect of who we are because for the longest time we’ve been written out of the stories and narratives.”
    Like
    Love
    Wow
    Angry
    Sad
    397
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile