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Cum laude and Dean’s Merit Award for Award-winning Filmmaker

Cum laude and Dean’s Merit Award for Award-winning Filmmaker

“To have earned the Dean’s Merit Award has certainly driven me, knowing that it is in fact possible to accomplish the same goals as those who I have intimidating amounts of respect for.”

So said Alistair Wray Heath, a passionate teacher and filmmaker, graduated cum laude and received the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for his Master of Technology (MTech) degree in Fine Art. Heath graduated during Tuesday’s (21 April 2015) graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus.

The 27-year-old avid director, cinematographer, writer, editor, post-production artist and teacher said he did not expect such an award (Dean’s Merit). “Not to discredit the research I did or to say that I didn’t work extremely hard, obtaining a Dean’s merit award has always just seemed to me like something that other people achieve,” he said.

Heath, who is currently working on his Doctorate degree, wrote his thesis on historical representation, via the filmic form, in an age of post-literacy (where people can read, butdon’t). He used research to explore the notion that should a lesser-known subject be represented in cinema, could it achieve more success in bringing it to common knowledge as opposed to exclusive representation in text and literature. “I did a lot of reading, I watched a whole lot of films, applied one to the other and I conducted interviews with some awesome people who were kind enough to share their invaluable knowledge. I then wrote a film; employing the artistic skills of a good friend and unbelievably talented fine artist and ex DUT student, Lisa Herselman, to draw a storyboard for the said film (titled 22 Boys). I found it consistently uncanny how Lisa was able to perfectly visualize whatever I had just thought up and put it to paper with remarkable precision. I owe her a good half of this accolade,” he said.

Describing his course, Heath said he believes that art is one of the most important things in the world. “Its ability to change things is merciless. I feel like it’s a human obligation to make a positive contribution to this seemingly suicidal world and there is no excuse not to,” he said.

For Heath, studying at DUT was a wonderful experience, “with great educators who care so much about their indescribably important roles in teaching”. When asked his role models, he proudly said his parents and artist-musician, Jacob Bannon. “Jacob Bannon is probably my hero and largest artistic inspiration. I need to credit a number of my friends, too. Almost every single film, piece of music or art that they create is astounding. I believe many of them to be geniuses. Likewise, my peers in DUT’s Fine Arts MTech were also constant inspirations. All of them are such incredible and hard-working artists,” he said.

Heath has also been the recipient of many other accolades, especially in the field of filmmaking, winning awards for Best Video Production, Best Editing, Best Music Video and Best Sound as well as a certificate of academic excellence. He also won entrance to the Durban Film Festival’s (DIFF’s) Talent Campus Programme as one of the top 50 filmmakers in the continent. “If you count scholarships and bursaries, I’ve won two (both from DUT),” he said proudly.

His advice to would be students and avid filmmakers is to work hard. “Research and practice within realms of life that you really care about. Let your art consume you,” said Heath.

As of this year, 2015, he has created a number of music videos, several of which have been nominated for commercial awards. He has also directed and performed camera duties on advertisements for companies such as Lee Jeans. His creative approach to directing has been discussed in the popular African film magazine, Screen Africa (July, 2012).

– Waheeda Peters

– Pictured: Alistair Wray Heath

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