Studio Creativ Xpression is a multidisciplinary creative design agency established in 2006. The article provides an overview of three companies - Studio Creativ Xpression, CPS Technologies, and Mystar Engage. Studio Creativ Xpression is a creative design agency that offers services including branding, online marketing, design, and production. CPS Technologies is an ICT solutions provider and systems integrator. Mystar Engage develops interactive e-learning solutions.

1. 2015
peculiar side
of normal
Studio Creativ Xpression
S G1
Media
Mystar Engage
CPS Technologies
that
The
Flawlessly mastered
E-learning solutions
Driven to innovate
video and audio
changethe
world
integrate
productions
and

2. CPS Technologies is a turnkey ICT solutions
provider and systems integrator, whose endless
quest for superior and more efficient ways of
using technology is driven by a passion for
innovation and creativity.
Creativ Xpression is a multidisciplinary creative design agency, established
in 2006. We create identities, environmental graphics and interactive design
solutions. We make design work through the seamless integration of creative
ideas, balanced with a clear strategy, innovation and value.
Originally comprising only a vocal booth and Chroma key recording studio in
2008, G1
Media has evolved into one of the most outstanding audio and video
mastering, editing and animation facilities in the country today, boasting state-
of-the-art equipment and exceptionally skilled staff.
page 3

3. editorialteam
Guest writers
A good impression is
unavoidable
Illustration
Evolving your brand
Creativ
Energy
Binary Brats
Mind blowing
cinematography
Internship programme
Bringing dreams to life
3D animation
Celebrating Heritage Day
Unleash the power
of the annual report
CPS Technologies where
creativity meets
technological supremacy
Studio Creativ Xpression
develops a digital universe for
Star Schools
Cover design:
coverphoto
Xpression owes its spectacular cover photo of Simran Patel
to the collaborative efforts of photographer Nita West, 3D
modeller Potsiso Mashiane and graphic designer Lucille Pillay.
Nita used a Nikon D800 camera fitted with a 24-70mm lens
set at 62mm, 250 ISO, aperture between f/5.6 and f/8, and a
shutter speed of 1/200th of a second.
A gentle air current was used to inject motion into Simran’s
hair so that the final image did not appear too static. By having
her look directly into the camera lights more light was infused
into her naturally dark irises, making them appear brighter and
more vibrant.
Potsiso was responsible for the creation of the 3D glowing
green butterflies on the image. After extensively researching
the anatomy of butterflies, as well as glowing creatures like
fairies and fireflies, he built a basic reference shape, then
sculpted it to perfection in Zbrush. A sense of magic was
incorporated by adding a radiant glimmer effect around the
butterflies’ wings.
Lucille used Photoshop to manipulate and enhance Simran’s
eyes, lips and other colours in the image, then integrated the
butterflies.
08
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30
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34
36
32
10
18
24
Change the world
with Mystar Engage
e-learning solutions
Taking photography
to the next level
Baby got back...ground
Where music is oxygen
38
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54
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Experience the freedom
of our xpression
Studio Creativ
Xpression
Design and creativity go
together like popcorn and
a movie. Good design is
more than just something
cute and appealing, it has
the power to tell a story,
invoke a deep emotional
response, and even inspire
transformation – all in a
matter of seconds. This is
the world of Studio Creativ
Xpression.
06–23
CPS Technologies
As a leading turnkey ICT
solutions provider and
systems integrator, CPS
Technologies specialises
in integrating the best
technology with the best
people to deliver holistic
solutions that exceed
customers’ expectations.
24–37
Mystar Engage
There’s more to e-learning
than just reading and
clicking. Mystar Engage
develops solutions that
are interactive, stimulating
and fun, inspiring people to
change the way they think,
act and work.
62–65
G1
Media
Whether its cinematography,
photography or audio, the
seasoned eyes and ears of
the G1
Media team ensure
that everything that leaves
their studios (including the
48m2 Chroma key studio) is
flawlessly mastered and of
an impeccable standard.
38–59
All graphics and photography exclusively by Studio Creativ
Xpression and G1 Media.
T: +27 11 018 5020 | F: +27 86 403 9870
Block B | Wild Fig Business Park | 1494 Cranberry Street
Honeydew 2040
page 5

4. creativ xpression
As the world evolves from a physical canvas to digital cyberspace, I will
continue to redefine it through When David-Anthony starts brainstorming, it’s tough
to keep up, because his brain is always at least three
ideas ahead of everyone else (and that’s on a slow
day). Flamboyant, charismatic and a trendsetter
extraordinaire, David-Anthony never runs out of ways
to raise the creative benchmark. Indeed, it only takes
the sight of a few bees gathering nectar from a lavender
bush for his imagination to go intooverdrive. As the creative
visionary behind Studio Creativ Xpression, he ingeniously
inspires his team of artistic and technical minds to develop
products and integrate various technology platforms that
trigger angelic-sounding choir music in his client’s head.
David-Anthony has been astounding industry with his creative
genius since 1996, working on projects ranging from major
theatre productions to marketing campaigns for well-known
organisations such as the Independent Electoral Commission
and African National Congress. His success led him to establish
Studio Creativ Xpression in 2007, where he lent his creative
expertise to renowned brands such as DStv, Development
Bank of South Africa, Star Schools, Coca-Cola, South African
Breweries, Liberty Life, First National Bank, Nedbank,
Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC, a division of
the Department of Treasury) and Absa. Today, David-Anthony
not only leads his innovative team as creative director, but is
also keenly adept at instructional design, project management
and operational management.
page 7

5. Agoodimpression
You know that sensation that comes with
the aroma of freshly percolated coffee,
first thing in the morning?
It signals the start of a brand-new day,
filled with all kinds of new and exciting
possibilities. That’s how Creativ Xpression
feels about what it does.
isunavoidable
“As a multidisciplinary creative design agency, we’re all about
artistic passion. Indeed, creative design is our oxygen,”
says owner and COO Bhavna Patel. “The work we do is not
just another job; it’s who we are. Every project is viewed as an
opportunity to create and innovate, and we’re not afraid
to use extraordinary methods to ensure that whatever
we produce is original and inspirational.”
“We shudder at anything conventional and orthodox;
we’re not ‘lateral thinkers’ and we definitely don’t do
‘out-of-the-box’ – that’s so last century. We prefer
quirky, whacky, zany, even the odd side of normal.
It’s how we ensure we always deliver something
spectacular.”
Many agencies profess to offer something new and different,
but Bhavna says the only way to accurately gauge this
is in the quality of the work provided. “Everything Creativ
Xpression does is designed to make an impact. To achieve
this often necessitates breaking free from traditional thinking,
but that’s what we love – every moment of it.
“First impressions matter a lot, and the best way to
ensure a good first impression is by good design.
Design and creativity go together like popcorn and a movie,
and good design is more than just something cute and
appealing, it has the power to tell a story, invoke a deep
emotional response, and even inspire transformation –
all in a matter of seconds”.
“When your design incorporates strong visuals, it’s hard not to
make a good – and lasting – impression. As a creative agency,
we’re synonymous with strong visuals.”
Not surprisingly, energy levels at Creativ Xpression are at a
constant high, but when they’re unleashed and channelled
into a project, the end result is incredible.
The agency’s talent pool is vast (“to put it modestly,”
Bhavna adds) and comprises the perfect combination of
creative and technical skills – from illustrators, musicians,
videographers, film directors, award-winning graphic
designers photographers and writers, to animators, software
developers, IT specialists, sound engineers and e-marketers.
Aurette Bowes
studio-cx.co.za
Breakingtherules
This, together with a comprehensive range of facilities
that includes a 48m2
Chroma key studio, fully equipped
audio room, photography studio and video editing
suite, enables the company to offer a diverse portfolio
of services, ranging from strategic planning, branding
and online marketing, to design, marketing campaigns,
e-learning
and production facilitation.
“Before we begin a project, we ask what it is that you
want to achieve,” Bhavna explains. “We listen carefully to
ensure we become one with your vision. Then we roll up
our sleeves and get down to work, formulating plans and
strategies, devising innovative campaigns, developing
powerful communications, all specifically geared to
achieving our client’s strategic objectives. Our aim
is to develop tailor-made content for various channels
and platforms that makes sense to our clients,
their business objectives and where applicable,
their audience
“We never follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
In fact, if there are any rules when it comes to
creative design, we’ve probably broken every one
of them (another thing we love to do). It’s how we
ensure our client’s message doesn’t get lost in the
clutter, but rather makes a profound impact and
inspires its audience to action.
“Think of cooking a delicious potjie over hot coals.
It takes a little longer than the conventional stove-
top method, but the final result is always worth
the wait. That’s how it is at Creativ Xpression.”
peculiar side
of normal
The
Bhavna Patel,
Chief Operations Officer
page 9

6. dolor sit ametLOREM IPSUM
yourEVOLVING
Is your website search engine optimized?All major search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo have primary
search results, where web pages and other content such as videos or local
listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers
most relevant to users. Payment isn’t involved, as it is with paid search ads.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about editing your page’s content,
html and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific
keywords and remove barriers or promoting a site to increase the number of
backlinks, or inbound links. You would look at various components on your
website such as:
Social Networking
Website Mobile Compatible XML Sitemap File
Main Heading Tags
Image Descriptions
Page Titles
Website Description
Website Keywords
Website Meta Tags
Basically SEO is all about making your page visible on search engine search
results. Don’t pay it attention if you don’t want people to find your site.
Does your website look good on a phone?
Is your website dated?
With the rise of the digital age and
the domination of the internet
we expect everything instantly.
Patience being a virtue is just
something that we tell people
without Wi-Fi to make them feel better.
This era of speed has influenced everything
we do and how we do it. We speak faster, we
type faster b/c OMG there jst isn’t not enuf
time 4 full words anymor. We even date faster,
quicker than clicking your fingers because
with Tinder you don’t even fully click, you
just swipe. And when it comes to looking up
information we want everything we need in an
instant right in front of us.
There are a lot of positives to this new fast
paced lifestyle but I’m sure anyone who
has gone on a dodgy Tinder date or had to
type out an acronym into Urban Dictionary
is aware, there are also negatives. If your
company has a website you’ll be aware that
one of those negatives is that it can get
outdated…fast!
To make sure you’re keeping up with
demands of today’s customers below we’ve
listed some of the qualities they expect from
your website:
Is your website the
equivalent of a print
ad or is there social
integration?
Today everything is about
communicating and networking. The
more you let your users get involved in
your site, the more they’ll stick around.
You can install Facebook widgets,
“Tweet This” buttons, and even user
profile functions for your customers. You
should at least have a comments section
and be running a fan page on Facebook.
These social networking sites are some
of the most popular places on the web,
so you should be there mixing it up!
It’s no surprise that most South Africans access the internet
through their phones but what is surprising is that some
companies still don’t check how their website displays on a
phone. This is such a biggie, in an ADHD generation if your
website is frustrating to look at or difficult to navigate you won’t
see that customer visiting twice. Create a mobisite or have a
desktop site that is responsive and can adapt to phone screens,
this is a cost worth investing in. Phones are getting smarter your
company should as well.
page 11

7. at a blank, white canvass is arguably one of the most exciting things
for an artist to do. Not because it’s blank, but because there are so
many ideas waiting to be expressed on that canvass.
Which is exactly what we do Studio Creativ Xpression. We don’t develop
products, we develop ideas. Whether you’re thinking about a magazine,
website, annual report, poster, flyer, or even a business card, come talk
to us. These are just some of the things we’re brilliant at.
Our amazing team of creative illustrators can also create storyboards
for films, conceptual illustrations (characters and backgrounds) and
comic illustrations.
Once the artist has finished his work he stands back to admire it and
says, Wow!
The world is your canvas.
With her waterfall hair and bewitching smile, Lucille Pillay-O’Brien gives new
meaning to the word ‘adorable’. We also love her for the knockout promotional
branding, graphic, signage and 2D animation visuals she creates, which is why
we put her to work on projects for African Fashion Week, Panda Diamonds,
Pastel Payroll, Tiger Brands, African Sales Company (ASCO), Standard Bank,
Star Schools and Eskom. We weren’t disappointed, and neither were our clients.
In an environment where the only rule is to meet the relentless tight deadlines,
we know we can always rely on Lucille to quietly get on with the job and power
through to the finish – on time. But don’t be fooled. Beneath that serene exterior
is an ambitious, strong-willed woman, ready to trample on anyone who gets in
her way of being the craziest cuckoo in the nest. Just kidding. Lucille’s not like
that at all. She’s beautiful, witty and charming, and in her spare time dabbles in
photography and painting, and enjoys going for long walks on the beach. Okay,
kidding again. But just about the last part. The rest is all true.
AboutLuciGazing
page 13

8. Unleash
ofthe
POWER
the
Besides providing
pertinent information
on the health of your
company, the annual
report serves as a
formidable marketing
tool. Why not use it
to tell a compelling
story about your
organisation – one
that breaks through
the noise and stirs
emotions?
“Even the most uncompli-
cated information becomes
more engaging when delivered
imaginatively,”
says Studio Creativ Xpression’s creative
director David-Anthony Reece.
“The annual report is more
than a summary of a
company’s accomplishments
and financial statements
over the past year. By using
themes to make the book more
compelling and interesting
the annual report becomes a
unique opportunity to stand
apart from the barrage of
communications mediums
we’re exposed to every day.”
Reece echoes the sentiments of
renowned corporate communications
counsellor Stuart Z. Goldstein, who has
conducted extensive research on best
practices in corporate communications
and the use of technology in the
introduction of innovative strategies.
“Information age technology has
expanded the quantity, quality and speed
of information exchange,” Goldstein
says. “Not only do we have more
distribution channels for information
via the internet, but the subsequent
reporting of information through various
formal channels (for example, news
organisations) and informal channels
such as blogs, has exploded the sources
of financial and business data.
“Consequently, 21st
century
companies face a growing
competition for influencing
the perceptions of their
various publics, and the
window of opportunity to do
so is narrower. Additionally,
technology has levelled the
playing field. Stakeholders,
competitors and external
interest groups have the same
access to this technology
to communicate. With more
channels and suppliers of
data about your company,
(and not all of it accurate and
favourable) the power and
quality of your story becomes
an even greater business
imperative.”
Aurette Bowes
AnnualReport
2015
56.7%
3.3%
0.4%
12.1%
18.1%
0.8%
5.1%
3.5%
Cape Town
George Port Elizabeth
Durban
Pietermaritzburg
Kimberley
Bloemfontein
Upington
Mmabatho
Johannesburg
Pretoria
Witbank
Mbombela
Polokwane
0 – 35 000
35 001 – 60 000
Cities
150 001 – 2 000 000
2 000 001 – 3 600 000
Province
100 001 – 150 000
60 001 – 100 000
Population
Infrastructure Inputs Monitoring Project
2011
page 15page 15

9. The modern annual report is the
one document that reaches millions
of readers, either in print or via the
internet.
“As the single most widely
read document of an
organisation, the annual
report provides a chance to
address how the company
is perceived in light of trends
and against competitors,
and to articulate a forward-
looking story about the
company that reflects vision
and direction,” says Goldstein.
“The story line in the report
should transcend current
business circumstances and
address what you see beyond
the next horizon.”
“Today’s annual report is your
best opportunity to make a strong
impression – to provide a ‘singular
voice’ and tell a consistent and clear
story about your direction. The story
can be a powerful and compelling
picture of the future. It can be a
sustaining story. Done well, it can
resonate with an increasingly diverse
stakeholder audience. In today’s media
environment, the annual report can
advance the persona of a company and
become a powerful means by which
to influence perception, reputation and
buffer or advance financial results.”
Goldstein defines the annual
report as the company’s strategic
communications document that should
communicate:
The overall strategic positioning
of the company;
The CEO’s vision for the
company, looking out over the
next three to five years;
The direction the company is
trying to take;
Key messages used throughout
the year.
“To simply talk about what you did
last year—the approach taken by the
old-style annuals – will not inspire
confidence. You get out of the annual
report process what you’re willing to
invest.”
Annual reports require a singular point
of view – and vision – to be successful,
Goldstein declares. “The starting
point is to look at ‘best practices’ by
collecting highly rated annual reports
from different organisations globally
and benchmarking the approaches
and techniques used in writing, design
and photography. This helps to identify
innovative design concepts that bring
a new level of excitement to what
you are trying to communicate, and
which support the report’s themes and
messages.”
According to Goldstein, choosing
a theme is the most critical part of
the book. “Without a doubt, themes
can make your annual report more
compelling and interesting. It establishes
the story line you want to tell, and
provides the ties that bind together
the essays covering the businesses
throughout the report.
“The theme should reflect your
internal goals and priorities, as well
as what’s going on externally in your
industry sector. Naturally, the theme
chosen should be closely aligned with
the CEO’s vision of the company.”
“The theme is intended to help you
create an overarching message,
communicate a sense of direction,
and establish a continuity of story line
for your company,” he adds. “It can
help communicate your company’s
vision, values and philosophy toward
customers, and set the stage for how
you want the world to perceive you,
and the sort of reputation you want to
project.”
Goldstein also advocates considering
a secondary theme. “The secondary
storyline can have both a business
purpose and enhance the
entertainment value of the annual
report. These documents can contain
so much detail that it’s a challenge
to keep someone’s attention. How do
you draw the reader in? How do you
keep them engaged? The secondary
storyline increases reader interest in
the report and can be used to support
the overall theme.”
In Goldstein’s view, every
communication put out on behalf of
your company is an opportunity to sell
something. “This is especially true of
the annual report. Consider building
into the design an insert, an illustration,
a gatefold or some other device
that complements the theme but,
more importantly, helps market your
products and services. For example,
design a pocket and insert for the
report, and then have extra copies of
the insert printed so they can be used
A more effective
communications vehicle
2015
0302
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0908Photoby:Nita...StudioCX
by relationship managers as hand-outs
or as targeted new business mailings.”
The annual report provides an
opportunity to win the hearts and
minds of millions of stakeholders,
potential stakeholders and those
who influence stakeholders,
Goldstein continues. “It can serve as
a powerful method of shaping and
sustaining your company’s image.
Good communicators will seize this
opportunity and unleash the power
of the annual report as a strategic
communications tool.
“If the three ‘Cs’ of effective
communication are clarity,
consistency and constancy,
the annual report should be
used as the battle plan. It
puts a stake in the ground
against which multiple
communication strategies
can flow, while reinforcing a
continuity of message that
can be heard above the din
of competing and conflicting
messages.”
page 17
Development Bank of Southern Africa
PO Box 1234, Halfway House 1685
South Africa
Telephone:
+27 11 313 3911
Fax:
+27 11 313 3086
www.dbsa.org
Infrastructure 2012
Barometer
Progress in infrastructure development
since democracy
InfrastructureBarometer2012
Progressininfrastructuredevelopmentsincedemocracy
Barometer2013_Cover Layout.indd 1
2013-04-12 12:25:02 PM
Today’s annual report is your best opportunity
to make a strong impression
page 17

10. Every painted masterpiece begins with a rough
illustration. For an artist, gazing at the clean,
white canvas before the first stroke is made
is arguably the most exciting stage in the
development of a work. That’s because there
are so many ideas in his head, just waiting to
be expressed.
Being the digital geeks we are at Studio Creativ Xpression,
however, our blank canvas is not made of the conventional
heavy-duty plain-woven fabric usually associated with
painting. Instead we use a white background in Photoshop
on our HD touch screen Wacom tablets…
Our exceptionally talented illustrators specialise in producing
state-of-the-art (pun intended) illustrations that vary from
dazzling storyboards for film and TV commercials to
cartoons, sketches, drawings and even realistic-looking
paintings that can be used as movie backgrounds.
From classic to funky, no style is beyond our capabilities,
and computer techniques are useful for producing some
interesting effects.
Our artists are dying to show you what they can do. Your
imagination is their inspiration.
At night Stuart O’Brien dreams of capes, masks and wearing
his underwear over his pants. During the day he draws
endless sketches of superheroes, especially Batman. In fact,
he believes he is Batman, but we’re working on a way to
break the truth to him, gently.
Stuart’s illustrations have become so good that he now does
it for a living, working as art director and graphic designer
on projects for Land Rover, Ford, LG Electronics, Pick ‘n Pay,
Standard Bank, Star Schools and TiAuto. He draws (pun
intended) his inspiration from the numerous styles of comic
book art, creating funny little pictures of everything. Expect
cats. He loathes funny pictures of cats.
Occasionally, Stuart puts down his sketch pencil to read a
graphic novel, watch a movie or play a computer game. We
make sure he never repeats an activity, however, because
doing the same thing over and over again kills his creativity,
and that would be disastrous for our clients. So we take care
to always keep Stuart inspired with something new and fun
so that he can continue to produce illustrations that thrill and
delight all.
AboutStu
page 19

11. I need your help. We
need to fix this.
I guess the city is
mine then!
Let’s perform
our magic!
No! What
happened?!
Sigh... They
destroyed it all.
I will need Crea-X to
help me here.
Hey, Jivan, you
called?
This will need more than
creativity; it requires
technology.
Ka-Boom
PHHHT
Whoooosh

12. Sigh... This computer is so
slow. What a waste of my
valuable time.
Huh? What’s
happening?
z
iipp
Magnificent!
Perfect! We’ve done it
again!
Wow! Wow! Wow! This
rocks!

13. We live in an age of
convergence, where ICT,
design and audio-visual
elements no longer function
in isolation. Consequently,
CPS Technologies, Studio
Creativ Xpression and G1
Media
interact synergistically with
one another to create superior
technological solutions that
subscribe to the highest
quality standards.
Atul Patel (Chief Executive Officer)
page 25

14. CPS
Most students wait on tables or house sit
for vacationing friends and family to earn
extra money to supplement their studies.
Unless you’re born with an entrepreneurial
spirit, like Atul Patel. He preferred to
establish his own sole proprietorship
to supplement his income. Two decades
later the company has grown to become
a leading turnkey ICT solutions provider
and systems integrator.
Originally established in 1992 as Colossus Performance
Systems – “I chose the name because I wanted to
make a big and lasting impression,” says Atul – the business
specialised in the supply and repair of IT hardware.
“Most of my clients were medical doctors, simply because
they were among the few people who could afford their
own PC in those days,” he relates.
The fact that he didn’t have the capital or cash
flow to finance the parts he needed to carry out
the repairs didn’t deter him in the least. “Cheques
were the preferred method of payment back then,
so I opened a cheque account and paid my suppliers
accordingly. During the seven days it took for the cheque
to clear I would repair my client’s PC, insist on payment
in cash and deposit the money immediately, thus ensuring
that my deposited cheque didn’t bounce. Of course,
my earnings always exceeded the value of the cheque
and I used the surplus as spending money, and to buy
books and other essential items for my studies.”
Even after graduating and securing fulltime employment
Atul kept his business active, repairing PCs and writing
software programmes (a hobby he developed during
his high school years) in his spare time.
It was in 2000 that Atul got word of a tender, issued by
Dimension Data, for the supply of a network and data centre
infrastructure comprising 13 branches, as well as a security
solution.
“I realised I could deliver the required specifications,
and decided to tender in my personal capacity.”
Atul went on to win the tender and completed the
implementation on his own within three months.
“I decided then that the time was right to convert
my sole proprietorship to a close corporation.”
Technologies
creativity
where
meets
supremacy
Aurette Bowes
CPS Technologies’ offering includes:
Consulting services
Human capital management
Business risk and governance
management
Project management
Systems audit
Managed services
Unified cloud services
Application as a Service (AaaS)
Mobility as a Service (Maas)
Monitoring and Tracking
as a Service (MTaas)
Security as a Service (Saas)
Backup as a Service (BaaS)
The company continued to grow and in 2005 Atul
appointed a junior engineer to assist him in his work.
“I also converted the business to a private company
and changed the name to CPS Technologies.”
The company specialises in integrating the best technology
with the best people to deliver holistic solutions that
exceed customers’ expectations. “My team constantly
strives to be the best at what they do, never setting limits
to their development potential,” says Atul. “Building on
their knowledge, dedication and energy, we deliver ground-
breaking products, services and solutions that far surpass
the technological demands of the 21st century.”
“I believe in turning service into satisfaction,” he continues,
“and promote the philosophy that the client’s business
requirements should always remain at the forefront of
the technical solution proposed.
“By understanding our client’s needs, we’ve improved cost
and operational efficiency and effectiveness, thus leading
to strong long-term mutually beneficial partnerships.”
Today CPS Technologies boasts a staff complement
of 25, including two wholly owned subsidiaries Studio
Creativ Xpression (specialising in illustration, graphic
design and web development) and G1
Media (offering
audio-visual, photography and animation services).
“We live in an age of convergence, where ICT, design
and audio-visual elements no longer function in isolation.
Consequently, CPS Technologies, Studio Creativ Xpression
and G1
Media interact synergistically with one another
to create superior technological solutions that subscribe
to the highest quality standards,” Atul explains.
Driven by his passion for innovation and creativity,
Atul’s quest for superior and more efficient ways of using
technology will never wane. “In today’s modern economies,
technology hold the potential to change and improve the
way we live and work,” he declares. “Unlocking this potential
requires an intimate understanding of the possibilities
and challenges posed by technology, their alignment
to business processes and requirements, and the skills
to marry technology with 21st century needs.
“CPS Technologies is committed to staying ahead
of the technology curve and sharing our knowledge and
expertise with our clients to enable them to fully capitalise
on the benefits of the emerging economy.”
page 27

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Bhavna
Pa
tel
AtulPat
el
Isab
elM
dzingwa
HitanOdhav
There’s something about Hitan that reminds us of duct tape. Like the adhesive material, he has a
light side, a dark side and he holds our world together.
A self-confessed tech-head, Hitan is the first person we turn to when the internet is down, our
emails bounce back, or our PCs are just not having a good day. Not that this happens often,
however, thanks to his thorough understanding of network, hardware, software and operating
systems. Indeed, most of Hitan’s time is spent not on IT support, but on making different
technologies work seamlessly for our clients. The more challenging the client’s requirement,
the more inspired he is to develop a solution that doesn’t just meet, but exceeds the client’s
expectations.
Hitan’s interest in all things technical is not limited to computers, however. He is also a
devoted petrol head. We know this because every once in a while he comes to the office
holding a steering wheel in his hand, a sure sign that he’s been indulging in his favourite
adrenaline rush, racing. On other days he comes in with a soccer ball, his way of
showing support for his favourite team, Liverpool.
The office is still divided on which of these is his dark side.
Entrepreneur, innovator
and philanthropist Atul Patel
is passionate about harnessing
technology to facilitate better access to
education for all South Africans.
He is the founder of CPS Technologies, originally
established in 1992 to supply and repair IT hardware, and
today a leading turnkey ICT solutions provider and systems
integrator.
As the chief executive officer of Star Schools, Atul has helped the
company achieve unrivalled success in improving South African’s
access to world-class education its highly acclaimed Matric Rewrite,
Saturday School, Grade 9 Maths and School Incubator programmes.
He is also the driving force behind the establishment of Star Schools subsidiary,
Mystar Education Business Solutions, which boasts a comprehensive and
cutting-edge infrastructure that caters for the development of customised end-
to-end virtual learning solutions, and a supply chain which encom-passes the full
spectrum of pedagogical, business, operational and technical services.
These accomplishments paved the way for Atul to take the next step in making teaching
and learning an exciting and rewarding experience for educators and learners through
virtual learning. He spearheaded the establishment of Star Schools’ own fully fledged high
school, Star Schools High, which opened to learners in January 2015. In conjunction with
a progressive curriculum, which also encompasses e-learning, Star Schools High offers its
learners technologically advanced classrooms that facilitate a teaching environment where
talk and chalk is minimised and digital teaching and learning is capitalised on.
A versatile HR
specialist, Bhavna boasts
hands-on experience on human
resource issues and organisational
development in a diverse range of
environments. Her proven track record of building
and leading effective change initiatives makes her a
proactive agent of change, who believes in encouraging
learning and promoting increased productivity that results in
value-added service.
Bhavna excels at team building and is an influential interpersonal
communicator, negotiator and presenter.
With her master’s degree in industrial psychology, Bhavna has shown herself
to be a proficient problem solver with the analytical skills to evaluate risks and
business strategies.
Excellent team builder and consultant on human resources issues and
organisational development. Versatile human resources specialist with hands-
on experience in diverse environments. Influential interpersonal communicator,
negotiator and presenter. Motivated achiever with a proven track record of building
and leading effective change initiatives. Proficient problem solver with the analytical
skills to evaluate risks and business strategies
The worst punishment anyone can inflict on a creative
person is office administration. That’s why we rely on
Isabel. Organised, responsible and extremely efficient,
she manages our admin needs much like James Bond
dispenses with villains – quickly, quietly and without
breaking a sweat.
That’s not to say Isabel doesn’t have a creative
bone in her body. In fact, she has several and loves
nothing more than to dance her way around the
kitchen while she cooks and bakes yummy
dishes for her family and friends.
That’s on weekends. Come Monday, Isabel
is all business, accomplishing the
impossible to ensure that the office
runs smoothly. We think she per-
forms miracles. To Isabel, it’s
just part of her regular
duties.
page 29

16. Web design and
developentAt Studio Creativ Xpression we view ourselves as the whiz kids of web
design. You could say we’re fanatical. Because we understand the
importance of having a website that’s easy to find and provides customers
with an optimal viewing experience across a range of devices. In other
words, only the tiniest bit of resizing, panning and scrolling that makes for
painless reading and navigation.
Like it or not, beauty is associated with trust, especially when it comes
to websites. There are studies to show this. Lucky for you, we’re very
good at developing great-looking websites. But we don’t stop there. After
all, beauty is more than skin-deep and a beautifully designed website is
only the beginning. We incorporate seamless functionality and a superior
interactive user-experience to create the perfect online home for your
business. Less fluff, more stuff that attracts more visitors and drives sales.
?php echo “You should always be wary of computer programmers
who carry screwdrivers. Thankfully, that doesn’t apply to Dmitriy,
Studio Creativ Xpression’s software and application developer.” ?
liSome people think Dmitriy Kravchuk is dangerous because he’s
Russian and doesn’t like doesn’t to make eye contact with anyone,
but he’s just extremely shy and prefers to live in a techno-bubble alert
(“techno bubble!”), where he can process his thoughts in binary numbers
and communicate with other geeks in HTML and Java. /li
liSometimes Dmitriy misses his beloved Russia (localEntities nostalgia =
new LocalEntity()) terribly, and this makes him sad. That’s when he pauses
his processing and emerges from his techno-bubble to entertain crowds
with his fire dancing skills. But not for long. When the applause gets too
loud and too many people start asking for his autograph, shy.
ItemsSource.ToList(); Dmitriy hastily returns to the sanctity of his techno-
bubble and presses any key to continue./li
Dmitriy
About
BRATS
blockquoteThere are only 10 types of people in the world: those who
understand binary and those who don’t. /blockquote
brElaine Smit undoubtedly falls into category 1.
As a gifted web developer with a string of certifications behind her
name, Elaine finds it difficult to write anything that is not coded,
target=”_blank” much to the consternation of those who find
themselves in category 0. ?search=+11%3A30-40amp
brWhile some people crack under pressure, Elaine loves nothing
more than to be perpetually functioning in overdrive. That’s when
her creativity knows no bounds and the code starts flowing from her
fingers in long strings of script type=”text/javascript”!—var c=2;var
d=4;alert(c+d);.
brAlthough it doesn’t happen often, Elaine does experience days
when her head is empty. Then she looks to the stars for inspiration,
vigorously applying her mind to the study of celestial bodies. This
probably explains why she knows things that no one else does, like
that Saturn would float if you put it in water, and if you fell into a black
hole you would stretch like spaghetti.
brThanks to her borderline attention deficit disorder, however, these
periods of empty headedness are fleeting, and it isn’t long before
Elaine is writing code that our clients get to see as spectacularly
developed websites.//--/script
Elaine
About
Binary
Binary
Binary
Binary
Binary
page 31

17. Studio Creativ Xpression developed a comprehensive
digital infrastructure to promote the solution offering
of education service provider Star Schools. It includes
websites, an online store, electronic versions of
Star Schools printed workbooks with mobile device
integration, smartphone apps of the workbooks, a
virtual learning ecosystem for desktop computers and
tablets, and a social media network that promotes
knowledge sharing.
Studio Creativ Xpression develops
a digital universe for Star Schools
www.starschools.co.za
shop.mystar.co.za
learn.mystar.co.za
connect.mystar.co.za
Experience the
Star Schools
digital universe
www.starschoolshigh.co.za
1. Open the web browser on your smartphone.
2. Go to http://gettag.mobi
3. Follow the instructions to install the Tag Reader
specific to your smartphone.
4. Once the Tag Reader has been installed, open
the Tag Reader application.
5. Point your smartphone camera to the tag.
6. Your experience starts here.
page 33

18. “At CPS Technologies, we throw our interns into the deep end
of the media ocean so that they can find their way to the
top,” explains creative director David-Anthony Reece. “We then dive
in with them and help make sure they get there. As part of the CPS
Technologies family, our workload becomes their workload, even
if only for a short while. Everyone in the office is more than willing
to invest their time in making the interns’ learning experience more
memorable than their first kiss.”
According to CEO Bhavna Patel, interns are usually offered a six-
month contract before being considered for a permanent position.
“We are very passionate about skills development and empowering
young graduates to find their feet within the industry. Hence,
we take in a few graduates each year on our internship programme
and present them with the possibility of becoming permanent
staff members. We also sometimes take on students who need
to complete their practical assessment in order to graduate.
Our aim is to assist them in any way we can, depending on their
requirements at the time. During their time with us, we emphasise
that it is important for us to see them achieving their goals,
so we expect them to work hard. This does not mean, however,
that they cannot have fun while building their career. Indeed, the best
results are produced when everyone is having fun at the office.”
“Besides being involved in current projects, interns are encouraged
to come up with their own ideal project or campaign with which we
can assist in planning and executing,” David explains. “This way, the
intern learns the media industry from different different experienced
media practitioners across all media sectors. With ideal projects,
the interns become the project leaders and take full responsibility
for running the project from start to finish, with our assistance. If
the idea is successful and impressive, we implement it.”
Last year four graduates were given the opportunity to intern with
CPS Technologies and all were permanently employed by the end
of year. Their outstanding work and remarkable achievements have
impressed our clients and led to new ones. These former interns
internshipInnocent Kabini
CPS Technologies’ internship programme
seeks to expose young graduates to the
fast-paced moving media industry and grow
their confidence while preparing them for the
outside world. How the company does this is
unlike any other programme of its kind.
programme
have never stopped smiling since CPS Technologies enabled
them to explore the industry on a professional level.
“The experience has been mind-blowing and I’m enjoying
every moment of it,” says sound engineer Ryan James.
“What I do here is pretty much my life; it’s who I am and
what I’m passionate about. I originally come in on board
as a temp to work on a Star Schools (one of G1
Media’s
clients) project, but when I was offered an internship, I was
more than happy to stay on as the sound guy. Talk about
feeling at home. Today I am working on several projects for
various well-known and respected brands in the country and
enjoying every minute of it.”
Even a fun office environment is not without its challenges
and overcoming them is what prepares individuals to be
proactive and productive. 3D animator Master Tshabalala
shares his experience: “My first days at CPS Technologies
were not easy because I didn’t have much academic
expertise in 3D animation. I had to rely on my passion
and self-taught skills to produce quality work. Most helpful
was the support I received from the team, who were patient
and understanding throughout my learning process. I’m now
working on a large, extremely exciting project and looking
forward to seeing the final product.”
“Working for CPS Technologies has been
a great experience because we work as a
team; helping each other as animators to
achieve a goal,” says Sascha Buck, another former
intern and now fulltime 3D animator.
Software and application developer Dimitriy Kravchuk loves
the fact that each project he works on is unique. “I have learnt
so much since working for CPS Technologies,” he says.
“We believe in people who are passion-driven, have a strong
sense of self-belief, are not afraid to take chances and have a
great sense of humour,” says David. “Our interns are dedicated
individuals who are willing to invest in developing their careers
and improving their lives. As an organisation, we are committed
to grooming future leaders, the next game changers and media
practitioners. We welcome graduates from various media
disciplines, from IT gurus, marketers and advertisers to 3D
animators, journalists, designers and photographers.
“Our intention is not to be a boss,” he continues. “Bosses scare
people with their constant policing and hovering. At CPS
Technologies, we treat everyone equally. We work as a unit and
respect one another. Our interns are here to learn and work hard
while we help them achieve their goals. We encourage them to
try out new things and express themselves any way they wish.
Who knows, we might just discover another hidden talent they
never knew they had. We want to see all our interns reach new
heights and are more than happy to open doors for them.”
Helping to inspire, prepare and
support South Africa’s young
talent ...
Innocent Kabini
Elaine Smit
Simone Mokoena
page 35

19. Taking photography to the next level
through photo manipulation and CGI compositing
page 37

20. westnita
R
umour has it Nita was abducted as a child
and raised in the Knysna forest by a herd of
elephant. No, wait. That was someone else.
Or was it? It could explain Nita’s fascination with
photography – she loves it as much as elephants
like remembering stuff – and why she feels so at
home behind big, long lenses. “Then, everything
is fair game, be it inanimate or alive. Objects
don’t move or get tired, while people make for
interesting and fun shoots,” she says.
Elephants-schmelephants, we don’t really care,
as long as Nita continues to produce those
unforgettable, award-winning photos and web and
graphic designs our clients love her for.
Nita thrives on innovation, because this enables
her to be great at doing the unique and original.
Colourful, quirky and not a little eccentric, she
loves nothing more than the dilemma of finding
ways to improve on a concept with her own
design or photo.
Nita does a great job running our Cape Town
branch, where her exceptional interpersonal skills
in dealing with team members and clients ensure
positive relationships and great results.
Plus, she gets to see the elephants often, which
makes her happy.
AboutNita
raphy
photograp
What ignited your passion for photography?
As a graphic designer I had many friends who worked in the
photographic industry and I also wanted to be among this elitist
group. But once I really became involved I actually started loving
it and gave up my shoe fetish for Nikon accessories. Thinking
back to my childhood, whenever I was asked what I wanted for
Christmas or birthday it was always a camera.
What do you think about the technological advances
made with camera equipment?
It’s not the equipment that captures the picture, but the
photographer. That being said, a good driver goes much faster
in a Lamborghini than a Beetle. I eat, sleep and dream the new
Nikon D810.
Do you think the new tech makes it easier for
novices to shoot “like professionals”?
No, it makes them lazy and stupid.
What do you like most about photography as a
profession?
You don’t sit at a desk all the time. You get to create new art for
others to experience.
If you could shoot anything, what
would it be?
Mandela, reading with slippers and bunny
jammies… before he passed away.
Any other final words you’d like
the readers to know about?
Any black market dealers looking to
swap a kidney for a D810,
QA
page 39

21. buck
sascha
graphy
How would you describe your photography style?
Exotic. I like shooting in the studio with just a beauty
dish, particularly in black and white.
What do you like most about photography as
a profession?
Capturing things you would normally consider to be
plain and boring and making them beautiful.
What do you feel might be the most difficult
thing about being a photographer?
Artificial lighting when time is of the essence and there
is not a lot of space to work in.
Who is your favourite photographer, and why?
I have two. Nita, because she’s just simply fantastic, and
Nacho Oosthuysen (aka Nacho’s Corner) because he’s
just simply fantastic. I really like his lighting techniques
and his beach and water photography.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where
would that be?
Somewhere at the coast where there are no sharks and
the water is warm. Not Australia because you have to
write an English test to get in.
What advice would you offer to budding
photographers?
Keep practising.
QA
photogr
S
ascha loves horses, but the responsibility
makes her nervous, so she decided to play
the violin instead. That made everyone else
nervous, so she studied a BA degree in Fine Art and
a post graduate diploma in 3D animation. And we all
breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Sascha originally joined G1 Media as an intern, but
has since become a permanent member of staff.
Her overactive imagination, squeaky loud personality
and partiality for bright pink hair give her much in
common with the rest of the team. Sascha has
worked on a variety of animation projects, including
several training videos for Standard Bank, which
required 3D-modelled environments. She has also
done Chroma key work on Star Schools’ educational
videos.
Sascha’s talents don’t end there, however. She is an
excellent photographer, creates spectacular movie
special effects, and in her spare time has tried her
hand at sculpture and – wait for it – boxing. She is
also writing her Master of Digital Arts dissertation on
stop-frame animation.
All this makes for an impressive résumé, but we’re
just glad she is now too busy to go anywhere near
her violin.
About Sascha
page 41

22. Tertius C Carstens
Bringing dreams
“If you can dream it,
you can do it. ”
Walt Disney
to life
Dreams are successions of images, ideas, emotions
and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind
during certain stages of sleep. Of course, we all know that.
You dream when you sleep. There’s also daydreaming –
when you’re caught up in your own world or imagination
while wide awake.
Why is dreaming so special? What is it about this activity
of the mind that, after waking up in the morning, makes
you wish you could return to that world where everything
is possible? The answer is right there. When we dream,
everything becomes possible!
And that’s why we compare dreaming to the goals we
seek to accomplish in life. We even call them our dreams.
When you have a vision or idea that no-one else has thought
of, it may seem pretty much impossible to accomplish at
first, but that’s only because no-one else has thought to try it.
The fact is, if you’re willing to work hard and pour your heart
and soul into realising your dream, it can become reality.
Some say it’s foolish to dream. This is not true. Everyone
who has ever made a difference in life were once considered
dreamers and even fools. Take Walt Disney, for example.
He was a struggling artist who came up with the idea for
Mickey Mouse while riding on a train. The rest is history.
Today, society looks back on their work and says, Wow!
This is what G1
Media specialises in – turning
dreams into reality. No one was ever meant
to walk a journey alone. Our creative team of
writers, photographers, cinematographers,
3D animators, special visual effects artists
and directors are eager to share your vision,
whatever it may be, and make it real.
Don’t be afraid to dream. Your idea could change the world.
Wouldn’t you like to make a lasting impression before you
leave this life? Even a small dent is noticeable. G1
Media
where dreams come true.
page 43

23. Fishermen are more likely to get struck by lightning than
anyone else. That’s a fact. It’s also why we take special care of
Michael Fouche, our videographer and video editor, because
when he’s not at the office or out on a location shoot, he’s
more than likely gone fishin’.
But whether he’s armed with his fishing rod or his camera,
Michael is a ‘reel’ expert who can tackle anything, and his
taste for adventure always leads him to where the action
is. Which is why he works for G1 Media, shooting and
editing television adverts, music videos, documentaries and
corporate training videos for the likes of African Explosives
Limited, GlaxoSmithKline, Grounded Media, Eskom, TiAuto,
Bossasa, Jhankaar School of Dance, Starschools, South
African National Taxi Council and Standard Bank. Before
that he worked as a boom swinger and production assistant
on broadcasts such as Bonisanani, Beyond the Classroom
and Woema, and was also involved in a Prime Circle album
launch. How cool is that!
When he gets behind the lens that Michael’s knack for visual
inventiveness kicks in. He is brilliant at capturing footage that
brings a story to life on screen in a manner that enthrals the
audience. Simply put, he knows how to make movie magic.
The G1
Media cinematography team tackles video
production with the same energy and enthusiasm as
they would a double cheese burger and chips. We invest
in crews that handle script writing, pre-production,
producing, directing, location shoots, green screen shoots,
post production, rigging, online editing, offline editing, 3D
animation and special visual effects. Our team of highly
skilled filmmakers can create a block-buster production
filmed on location or in our fully equipped 48m2 Chroma
key studio. The hi-tech audio and video mastering,
editing and animation facilities enable them to produce
special effects of the same sophistication as seen on an
international production.
G1
Media’s high-end
production services
include:
Corporate videos
Training and educational videos
Product videos
Music videos
Short films
Documentaries
Commercials
Special visual effects
M
ichael
About
Mindblowing
page 45

24. OurChromakeyStudio
page 47

25. Chroma key (also known as green screen or digital
background) is a style of background commonly used
for photography or film. Instead of going on location,
one can just use a green or blue muslin sheet as the
background, take photos or shoot videos and then replace
that background with a picture of Godzilla in post-
production. It doesn’t actually have to be Godzilla; it can be
anything you want; we just recommend Godzilla because
he’s cool and we feel he fits in effortlessly with most
scenery, especially romantic ones.
The theory behind how Chroma key works is
quite simple. Since you are using a standard
shade single colour background, it means it
can be easily removed without the need for
selecting, cutting, or pasting, as long as no part
of the subject being filmed or photographed
duplicates a colour used in the background.
For analogue colour TV this will be achieved
when it compares the phase of the video to the
phase corresponding to the preselected colour.
In-phase portions of the video are then replaced
by the alternate background video. For digital,
it is when there is a numerical comparison
between the video and the preselected colour.
If the colour of a particular point on the screen
matches, then the video at that point is replaced
by the alternate background.
The most important factor in Chroma key compositing is
the colour separation of the foreground (the subject) and
background (the screen). This is why backgrounds are
usually green or blue; unless your subject is a smurf, or
last night’s seafood is making him or her feel a bit queasy,
then green or blue are going to be the colours that will
differ most from their skin colour. In fact, bright green is the
preferred choice because it also contains the
least noise and can produce the cleanest key/
matte/mask, as well as needing less light to
be illuminated. Blue is generally used for both
weather maps and special effects because it is
complementary to human skin tone, although it
may match a subject's eye colour or common
items of clothing such as jeans.
If you are well versed in photo manipulation programs
such as Photoshop, then the advantages of using
a Chroma key background are many. Firstly, you will
have complete control over your environment (sorry
Mother Nature, you can peddle your wares elsewhere).
You will be able to access far more options on backgrounds
from Godzilla to other angles of Godzilla (we really want
you to use Godzilla). Not only will you be able to adjust the
background, but you will be able to do so without affecting
the model or subject. Less time is going to be spent on
production, and finally, one of the greatest advantages
of using a Chroma key background is its low cost. If you
already have Photoshop or another comparable photo
manipulation program, then you are saving majorly by
going this route.
There are some challenges with Chroma key backgrounds
that are worth noting. Trying to create even lighting and
avoiding shadows (a crucial element in maintaining a
professional look) can be quite difficult. You may struggle a
little with finding the proper camera exposure balance and
if you are not adept at Photoshop then you should probably
avoid using these screens. Also, you will have to find a
model with an imagination. If he or she cannot picture
running for their life across downtown Tokyo to avoid their
imminent death from a 20-ton monster foot, then this isn’t
the solution for you.
got back
BabyBaby
So why are we telling you all this?
Because we think it’s interesting, we
thought you would find it interesting, we
really wanted to make that Godzilla joke,
but mostly, because G1
Media has a
48 square metre Chroma key studio,
which gives you ample room to do a lot
of really cool stuff. If you would like to
find out more about using our studio,
please contact us.
groundLisa Fiandeiro
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26. When actors, set pieces or props are unavailable or just
won’t do, G1
Media’s rock-star animators are ready
to create a 2D or 3D solution that will make your jaw hit the
floor.
Because creating outlandish characters, androids, alien
spacecraft, as well as futuristic vehicles and buildings is
what blows their hair back.
While most of the team’s animation projects use 3D
computer graphics, 2D computer graphics can be used for
low bandwidth and faster real-time renderings. It all depends
on your animation requirements, whether these are short
films and educational videos, special effects for traditional
products, or presentations to illustrate project overviews to
key stakeholders and investors.
G1
Media is just as happy doing animations that depict
products which have not yet been built, or to describe clear,
concise and logical procedures.
The team can even create 3D animations and visuals for
scenarios where traditional cameras are unable to go, like
the moon or Mars.
buck
sascha
Sascha loves horses, but the
responsibility makes her nervous,
so she decided to play the violin
instead. That made everyone else
nervous, so she studied a BA degree in
Fine Art and a postgraduate diploma
in 3D animation. And we all breathed a
huge sigh of relief.
Sascha originally joined G1
Media
as an intern, but has since become
a permanent member of staff. Her
over-active imagination, squeaky loud
personality and partiality for bright
pink hair give her much in common
with the rest of the team. Sascha
has worked on a variety of animation
projects, including several training
videos for Standard Bank, which
required 3D-modelled environments.
She has also done Chroma key
work on educational videos for Star
Schools.
Sascha’s talents don’t end there,
however. She is an excellent
photographer, creates spectacular
movie special effects, and in her spare
time has tried her hand at sculpture.
She has also completed her master’s
degree in digital arts.
All this makes for an impressive
résumé, but we’re just glad she is now
too busy to go anywhere near her
violin.
Potsiso describes himself as the
eternal optimist. Which is just as
well, because he also admits to being
a billionaire under construction and to
building his own empire in his spare
time. (We’re not exactly sure whether
his intentions in the latter are good or
evil, so we’ve alerted Batman to be on
standby, just in case.)
In the meantime, we’re keeping
Pots (as we affectionately call him)
busy with various projects involving
illustration, special effects and video
animation, about which he has been
passionate since childhood. This
is one dream we’re keen to help
him pursue. So far we haven’t been
disappointed. He has delivered brilliant
work on projects for Standard Bank,
Star Schools and Mystar Education
Business Solutions.
Pots approaches life much as he
does a game of chess, another of his
passions. While many view chess as a
collection of pieces moving randomly
around 64 squares, to Pots it is a game
of conquest, where opposing forces
of light and dark engage in a strategic
battle for supremacy.
Okay, that does it. BATMAN!!!
Master loves his computer most
because all his friends live inside
it. Friends that he’s created, that
is. This is what happens when you
produce animated computer graphics
for a living.
Master’s passion for this art form
began while he was still at primary
school, and he went on to obtain a
diploma in 3D, 2D and stop motion
animation.
Today he works at G1
Media, creating
computer images that simulate real
world scenes, objects and people. His
creative blend of colour, lighting and
surface modelling results in images
that don’t just appear more realistic,
but actually are so.
Only a power failure and forgetting
to charge his computer battery can
induce Master to spend some time in
the real world. Then he’s forced to do
something normal like watch a movie,
read a book or go to the gym. He also
uses the opportunity to indulge in his
other passions – making music and
being a DJ.
But, as soon as we see start to see
signs that Master has been away from
his beloved computer buddies for too
long, we send him back in. Experience
has taught us it’s just safer.
mashiane
potsiso
tshabalala
master
page 51

27. G1 Media’s audio team are all real musicians who live, breathe
and exist for music. They are band members, song writers,
live performers, and producers for other bands. And that’s
when they’re not at their day jobs. Their wealth of experience
enables them to extract the highest quality sound from their
equipment.
Music and voice are powerful tools that can make your
company stand out from the crowd. The G1 Media team
produces customised music using real, live instruments, or
contemporary, synthesised rhythm tracks. They can create
background music for ambience or incorporate a track into
foreground events.
All this is done in the G1
Media studio, a place where a melody
in your head can evolve into a musical masterpiece, a voice
into a dramatic performance. The studio is equipped with the
latest recording technology and software, the atmosphere is
relaxed, inspirational and professional, and the team is very
good at what they do – everything you need to create your
special work of genius.
where music is
G1
MediaAudio
G1
Media audio services
Radio Jingles
Commercials
Visual Music
Compositions
Sound Design
Track Enhancement
Voice-over recordings
Ross
Ross Ramsumder doesn’t carry a briefcase to
workbecausehisdrumkitwon’tfitinit.Evenif
it did, there wouldn’t be space for his guitar and that would
simply ruin his day.
While most people can’t live without oxygen, Ross thinks
music is more important. After learning to play guitar at the
age of seven, he soon realised that he preferred hitting to
strumming, and turned to drums, eventually going on to study
a degree in the instrument at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ross’s capabilities differ significantly from most musicians in
that he is able to overlap his rhythmic abilities with melodic
creativity. His unique style and approach to music has earned
him considerable respect in the industry.
Although he cannot sing or dance, Ross plays really well for
those who can. He has performed with various well-known
artists in South Africa, including Steve Fataar, Li-Tido, Zuko
Collective and national battle of the bands winner THOTS,
which performed at various fan parks during the 2010 FIFA
World Cup. His most memorable moment was opening for
Usher at the FNB stadium in 2012.
Ross is happiest when he’s inspiring others’ lives through
music. When he’s not producing music for G1 Media, he’s
either performing with other musicians, writing his own
compositions, or teaching drums to learners at Trinity House
High School.
The coolest part about being a non-singing drummer and
guitarist, Ross says, is that even when he gets the flu, he can
still play.
About
oxygen
page 53

28. A strong contender for the ninth wonder of the world (the first seven are taken and the list for the eighth
is too long), while others were getting to grips with their ABCs, Jason Menzies was studying the Do Re
Mi scales.
Classically trained from the age of five in a variety of instruments, including guitar, violin, piano and
percussions, Jason has acquired extensive experience in world music, which he has used throughout
his career to create unique and versatile compositions, productions and sound designs.
As a live performer, Jason has toured across South Africa with his bands and collaboration projects,
playing alongside the likes of Hugh Masekela and Terence Reis of The Straits. His bands include What
Seven Can Do, Zuko Collective and Aerosynthanitos. As a lyricist and composer, Jason has been
involved in numerous productions, including pro bono works for charity initiatives and the Germany-
based short film production, Silence and Sound.
It is a closely guarded secret that Jason is actually Count Dracula in disguise. We believe this accounts
for his diverse range of talents, which he has developed over many years, indeed centuries. It is
rumoured that he once met Michelangelo, who taught him to draw and sculpt. How he gets around
during the day, however, remains a mystery, but somehow he manages to participate in surfing (to get
a tan perhaps?) and climbing (staircases of his mansion in Transylvania?).
Jason
About
page 55

29. If you asked Aurette to think in pictures, she’d
probably imagine a word cloud. That’s how
much she loves writing, and will spend ages
agonising over a single sentence until she
gets the words just right.
A qualified and experienced journalist, Aurette
has written extensively for numerous publications
across a wide spectrum of industries, including
information technology, defence, bowhunting (not a hobby, just a
client), flooring, design and décor, retail and business.
She’s interviewed a few big names over the years, the most notable
being singer-songwriter PJ Powers, former South African cricketer
Paul Adams and renowned businessman Grant Pattison. Included
among her personal achievements is the publication of her own
book, Someone’s Daughter.
Aurette is also an accomplished scriptwriter, and has been involved
in the production of corporate, marketing and training videos for
companies such as Anglo American, Auditor General of South
Africa, Armscor and Amplats.
As Studio Creativ Xpression’s chief editor and writer, she loves
nothing more than to give a creative twist to humdrum technical
information. Whether it’s a training manual, product information,
or message from the CEO, Aurette will turn it into a written
masterpiece that your readers won’t want to put down.
bowesaurette
Everyone at Studio Creativ Xpression is an artist,
including Monice, who is particularly gifted in the art of
new business development, specifically sales, marketing
and publishing. Give her lemons, for example, and she
makes grape juice. Then she sits back and watches as the
rest of us wonder how she did it.
Monice is particularly adept at negotiating and influencing
others to generate new business. Utilising her strong
communication and interpersonal skills she once sold a
cape to Batman, after clinching a life insurance deal with
Dracula. As an exceptionally well-organised professional,
she uses her tenacity and charm to develop, motivate and
lead teams to achieve their targets within deadlines.
Highly self-motivated and committed to professional
development, Monice is always up for a challenge and is
never afraid to try something new (mostly because she
knows she’ll regret it if she doesn’t). Consequently, in her
next life Monice wants to live it backwards.
krugermonice
page 57

30. Mystar Engage delivers bespoke, performance-
changing e-learning experiences.
Because we believe there’s more to e-learning than
just reading and clicking, it should be engaging,
stimulating and fun, inspiring people to change the
way they think, act, and work.
From formulating instructional design and writing
assessments, to creating video, animations
and graphics, we’ll build a solution that will
help you develop an empowered workforce,
ready to change the world.
www.starschools.co.za
page 59

31. Change
e-Learning solutions
with
Aurette Bowes
This is the self-paced world of e-learning, where learners
are empowered to learn on their own terms. It’s an
environment which Mystar Engage has been researching,
developing and gaining maturity in since 2011.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Schools, provider of
turnkey teaching, learning and management solutions to
basic education for the past 46 years, Mystar Engage offers
bespoke e-learning solutions that can be tailored to suit the
unique learning and career development requirements of any
organisation.
“We view the virtual learning eco-system as a holistic and
digitally enhanced teaching and learning environment,
specifically designed to enrich the new age paradigm for the
learning experience,” explains COO Haroon Motalib. “So if it’s
performance-changing learning experiences your company
is looking for, then our powerful turnkey solutions are exactly
what you need.”
“At Mystar Engage we believe there’s more to e-learning than
just reading and clicking,” he continues. “We use our clients’
training content to develop solutions that are interactive,
stimulating and fun, inspiring people to change the way they
think, act and work.”
Mystar Engage brings instructional design and assessments
to life through video, animations and graphics. The
company works in close collaboration with turnkey ICT
solutions provider and systems integrator CPS Technologies
and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Studio Creativ
Xpression (specialising in illustration, graphic design and
web development) and G1
Media (offering audio-visual,
photography and animation services). The companies
interact synergistically with one another to create superior
technological solutions that subscribe to the highest quality
standards.
“We utilise the talents of their creative writers, illustrators,
animators and graphic designers, supported by their audio-
visual and ICT development infrastructures to build solutions
that help companies develop an empowered workforce,”
Haroon explains. “The fully equipped 48m2 chroma key
recording studio features hi-tech audio and video mastering,
editing and animation facilities.”
world
Mystar Engage believes in a partnership approach with its
clients when developing an e-learning solution.
After all, says Haroon, it’s their content, of which their subject
matter experts have the best theoretical knowledge and
practical experience.
“Consequently, it makes sense that our clients be involved in
the development of the solution. It’s also how we ensure that
the final product is exactly right for their organisation.”
Most of the e-learning solutions Mystar Engage develops are
made up of four separate modules, each addressing a different
aspect of the training content. “This enables organisations
to convey as much information as is necessary, without
subjecting their learners to information overload,” Haroon
explains. “Successful completion of all the modules will ensure
that the learners are equipped with the right skill set required
by the learning objectives.
“That being said, this approach is not set in stone and can
be tailored to suit your specific organisational training
requirements and objectives,” he adds.
The e-learning modules can be deployed across any existing
learning management system, or one developed by CPS
Technologies specifically for the client. Detailed reporting on
the learning experience is also provided.
Cloud services enable clients to rapidly deploy their e-learning
programmes with minimal investment in infrastructure and
resources, while the managed services offering provides offers
a flexible outsourced solution to keep systems up to date and
operating at peak performance levels.
“As the client, all you have to do is stand back and watch as
your empowered workforce starts changing the world,” Haroon
concludes.
the
A partnership approach
Let’s face it.
When it comes to training,
the facilitator-classroom
approach just doesn’t hit
the right spot anymore. Mobile
technology and the benefits
of accessing information
anywhere, any time
is where it’s at.
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32. saturday school
eblox connect
matric rewrite
Copyright Star Schools 2015
created by Studio Creativ Xpression
grade 9 maths programme
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