EPTI decided to do this blog about South African eSports and Video Production. It's Something I wanted to do for sometime, that I can reach out to people around the world with the same interests as me.
So I have some goals with this blog. Guidance or any help would be appreciated.
So an Introduction about myself. I'm from South Africa and I have always enjoyed gaming. I remember when I use to play DOS games, like JUMP-JET. The good old days, were nothing really mattered at a young age. I'm 24 years old and have completed a diploma in Motion pictures. Which basically to crack it in a nut shell, is TV from Pre Production- Production to Post Production. It was quite a large course giving students a taste of everything in film and TV. So I was quite happy that I got to learn how the process is and not just learning camera work and video editing.
I have been doing freelance work for the past two years. Done some projects for national TV which was cool seen your own work on TV. Gives you like a moral boost. I mainly do camera work and have done video editing.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3Fyz7vF.jpg)
One of pictures I took during a modeling shoot
On too the more fun Topic of gaming.
I'm a competitive Starcraft 2 player a brief history with my Starcraft 2 career.
http://www.lazygamer.net/pc-gaming/starcraft-ii-profile-rowan-scary-hammond/
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JJQVc9W.jpg)
Basically ever since a friend introduced me to the game, I haven't put it down. With likes of working in the film industry I have stopped for long periods of time playing. That's just the nature of working in Film. Get up 5am come home at 11pm. you don't have much time playing the game. At this time in point I can't seem to find work. So the game keeps me really busy.
I coach lower league players in Deviation Gaming. which is a local based team. So far my best record was getting a player from Silver to Plat with in a space of a week. So i'm very proud of that and love passing knowledge down. As knowledge is power.
in South Africa eSports not just Starcraft2 we have had our challenges and still battle threw them. We are growing in player base and yes we do have some talent players. There is just over 35 Masters in the country. With PandaTank been the only player to make it full time Pro.
![[image loading]](http://www.itfgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PandaTank-Grandmaster.jpg)
The Problem I find over here is the sponsors as do any other countries with eSports cause the economy is down. Over here we lack it more than others, teams struggle to find sponsors events struggle to find sponsors. The problem comes down to this:
We don't have a big spectator base, most of the guys want to watch the overseas tournaments like DreamHack, MLG... A lot us blame that we are not at that skill level, or it's the infrastructure.
Yes we have a major problem with infrastructure. Our internet is very far behind. The most common 2 internet lines people have is a 1mb and 4mb line. I'm on a 1mb line so I'm getting 1up 1 down. the 4mb line you get 1up 4 down.
This isn't the major factor. The major factor is the guys who run the events or the major bosses behind the event organizers. We have one major league in the country at the moment. They hold a yearly event with some decent prize pools, but they never allowed for spectators at the event so sponsors arn't getting the true value in what they are investing. The most success we have had was a monthly sc2 tournament that was open to international players as well, We saw some big names play. I'm not to sure what happened to that. I think it was Finance issues, but they did hit 2000 viewers on Stream before it stopped.
We do have a major interest in eSports. When NightEnd came to SA we had 400 spectators to watch the showmatches out of 500. Which I might just add that it was the same date as a music fest that saw international bands. Which was a job well done.
I have seen guys try and host big prize pool events come and go as lack of marketing or not allowing spectators. Its something that has always bothered me. yes we still have those underground LAN tournaments were you could win gaming peripherals but we not making that leap with eSports been entertainment.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/zAPNq8g.jpg)
So my goals as been in such an amazing field as a gamer. I would like to go overseas to work in eSports in Production to see how it's done and gain knowledge and Meet like minded people. Were working with organizers and players.So when I come back to SA I can pass the knowledge over to help Improve eSports growth in South Africa and build that spectator base up. Possible even getting overseas players to play at our events. That we can produce another Player like PandaTank and a Team to put all hour and only concentrate on the game they playing. Even bring out some really Talented people to work in eSports Like Qu1ck_Shot " LoL caster" who I went to School with.
It's a Huge goal of mine and I'm willing to take the Risk involved.
If you can help us, you can PM me or comment on the blog.
I would Like to thank all the people who took the time to read this and to my Team Deviation Gaming for supporting me all the way with my goals.
http://www.deviationgaming.com/
Here is a wedding video I did for a overseas couple if you in German you need to go via proxy as its blocked
and you can check more of my videos here that I have uploaded online.
https://www.youtube.com/user/RowanScaRyHammond
It's a Huge goal of mine and I'm willing to take the Risk involved.
If you can help us, you can PM me or comment on the blog.
If you can help us, you can PM me or comment on the blog.
