Crafting a cinematic journey of passion and progress

Gabriel Ntelamo is a marketing student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), driven by a deep desire to achieve outstanding success. He is confident that pursuing his passions and accomplishing his goals will set a compelling example for his peers. “Through this journey that requires me to work with people, I have cultivated strong communication skills, enabling me to establish and effectively manage new client relationships. In essence, I am naturally inclined towards interpersonal connections and consistently seek opportunities to expand my network,” he said.Being a university student, the fear of life after graduation weighed on his mind. It was this that led to him establishing a videography, graphic design and photography company, Ellery Trading, commonly known as 'ETE'. Ntelamo founded ETE in February 2021 to be his fail-safe, curbing the uncertainty of finding immediate employment or potentially feeling unsatisfied in a new workplace environment. “To tackle these concerns, I recognised the importance of gaining exposure to the marketing industry, enabling me to comprehend its dynamic behaviour,” he said.Spearheading 'Student Life: Save the Semester'Ntelamo was the executive producer of a recently released movie 'Student Life: Save the Semester', which - according to its YouTube page - is locally produced and tells the story of life as a university student. Here, some of his roles were to make sure the movie reached the right audience in telling its story. “I also oversaw the establishment and maintenance of the film's brand identity, including the acquisition of essential intellectual property protection documents like copyrights and trademarks.”He pointed out that this is one of his most significant accomplishments – having been shot entirely on his smartphone without the need for professional editing. He said it makes it an especially meaningful achievement and marks his debut in film-making – completing a project ready for showcasing.Giving life to thoughts and ideasNtelamo admitted that his enduring passion for turning his imagination into reality leaves him speechless even now. He derives immense satisfaction from giving life to his thoughts and ideas by crafting narratives through visual storytelling. “It all began when I started my YouTube channel, where I share videos documenting my lifestyle and travel adventures. Over time, I cultivated proficiency in video editing and developed a composed presence in front of the camera,” he said.As is the case with all newbies, Ntelamo also encountered hurdles, indicating that the most challenging aspect they faced with 'Save the Semester' was obtaining the necessary resources. Resources vary depending on what is required to bring scenes to life, he explained. In his specific situation, the primary challenge stemmed from the financial constraints of the actors. “Not everyone had the means to make it to the set or had the availability to do so, leading to delays and inconveniences."He advised that resource challenges could be solved by approaching companies within the film-making industry, like the Namibia Film Commission. “These organisations can provide valuable assistance and support for newly emerging amateur projects like ours.”Captivating the world through cinemaNtelamo envisions a future for the film industry where more platforms are available for all creatives to showcase their talents. He believes in investing in learning opportunities in academia to better equip individuals for new careers within the industry. “I aspire to make a meaningful contribution by crafting a variety of films that reflect the realities of our world, conveying news and information through the captivating medium of cinema.”While the excitement of sharing one’s film with the world is undeniable, he cautioned that it is paramount to undertake the necessary preparations to safeguard their creative endeavours through copyrights and trademarks. “Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and guidance in completing your masterpiece!”According to Ntelamo, the journey into the unknown has been a remarkable one, filled with the courage to conquer fear and a commitment to embracing life to its fullest, ultimately leading to positive transformations in the lives of others.

Crafting a cinematic journey of passion and progress

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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Crafting a cinematic journey of passion and progress

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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