To outsiders, South Africa’s film industry is something of an enigma.

Unless you keep close company with one of its estimated 21 656 employees, who at times work six weeks on followed by two weeks off, there’s not much out there about it.

So here’s a start: During last year’s financial year, the industry contributed a whopping R5,4 billion to the country’s gross domestic product, reports IOL.

[To give you some perspective, the tourism industry contributed R402 billion last year.]

Collated in a report commissioned by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the study also found that the bulk of job opportunities were for young people between the ages of 25-39.

And let me guess, you thought Cape Town was the main hub of all this activity, didn’t you? Well, you’re so wrong.

Most of it happened in Gauteng (54,8%), while Cape Town only hosted 23% of the work during last year’s financial year.

KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, on the other hand, both had 9,5% of the activity and there were no reported filming operations in the Northern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West.

Bleak. So much potential.

If you are one of those 21 656 employees, however, you’ve probably seen Galbraith Rushby headlining your financial documents from your agent.

Considered by many as the leading entertainment industry accountants in Cape Town, if you own a company you could “save on laborious accounting costs” by letting them handle your financial workload – because we all know trying to keep track of who gets what after months of working here, there and everywhere, can be a laborious task.

Coupled that with multiple tax payments and you’re done for.

Luckily, Galbraith Rushby doesn’t only focus on companies.

If you’re a film industry employee without an agent, hit them up if you know what’s good for you.

[source:iol&colttalent]