Inga Makosonke, Director of New Motion Casting Agency, has confirmed that their first film, Dark Shadow, was aired on Mpuma-Kapa TV in July this year.
The experience provided crucial lessons and helped identify areas for improvement. Makosonke, originally from the Futye locality in Mqanduli and now residing in Mthatha, shared that he never imagined he could help fulfil the dreams of young people from rural areas who longed to appear on television.
Recently, Makosonke completed film training courses to enhance his skills, and he emphasised a more structured approach to their upcoming projects.
“Through the Nkosi Group, I learnt about the film business from Agreement HR and Accounting. I also underwent online training focused on film marketing and distribution under Brain Engen. The most impactful experience, where I gained practical knowledge, was with New Brighton Pictures,” he said.
He added that his team has been actively engaging with local communities, teaching acting skills, and producing films that reflect their stories. Their film camps in Mount Ayliff (Bhotomani) and Elliotdale (Ku Manzi) have been particularly successful.
“We are currently preparing for a major shoot in Coffee Bay for Dark Shadow. As the producer and founder of this agency, I am pleased to announce that we are open to partnering with local businesses to feature them in our films. With a packed schedule from September to December, we are eager to collaborate with like-minded organisations.”
Makosonke explained his journey, sharing that he started the academy to uplift and develop young talent in rural areas, where access to resources and information about filmmaking is limited. He chose to leave Gauteng and return to the Eastern Cape to help elevate local talent and educate the youth.
He founded New Motion Casting Agency in 2023 with the mission of supporting both emerging and experienced actors, particularly from rural backgrounds. The agency educates actors about their rights and seeks to protect them from exploitation in the industry.
“Having grown up in the deep rural areas of Mqanduli, I understand the challenges people face, including financial struggles caused by mismanaged earnings. To make a difference, I started training young and older individuals who are passionate about acting.”
Currently, the agency trains 40 students across two locations: Norwood in Mthatha and the local library in Elliotdale. Earlier this year, several students graduated and received certificates during a ceremony held in March.
The agency’s training programme spans six months, after which graduates automatically join the casting agency. While New Motion Casting Agency is working to secure professional roles for its graduates, they are currently gaining valuable experience by performing in the agency’s own film productions.
