Utolo Beperk - Revision history

Fogterop at 19:17, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T19:17:17Z

Fogterop at 16:12, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T16:12:41Z

Fogterop at 16:11, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T16:11:57Z

Fogterop at 16:09, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T16:09:25Z

Fogterop at 16:08, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T16:08:01Z

Fogterop at 16:05, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T16:05:22Z

Fogterop at 15:54, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T15:54:45Z

Fogterop at 15:53, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T15:53:04Z

Fogterop at 15:51, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T15:51:31Z

Fogterop at 15:50, 29 July 2015

2015-07-29T15:50:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 29 July 2015
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−	'''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the ~~oficial~~ articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg. Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl. To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production. Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.	+	'''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the official articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg. Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl. To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production. Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.

	The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name. The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year. In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo. They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and subsequently became the majority shareholder with 4400 shares, with smaller number of shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).		The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name. The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year. In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo. They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and subsequently became the majority shareholder with 4400 shares, with smaller number of shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).

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 '''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg.  Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl.  To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production.  Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.
-The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and subsequently became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
+The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and subsequently became the majority shareholder with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
 The new company didn't lack ambition.  Not only were they going to produce films of all genres, they were going to try and export them, import others and screen them in their own cinemas.  Their films were going to be in Afrikaans and deal with Afrikaans themes.  The first feature that was completed was [[Die Lig van 'n Eeu]] (1942), made on the occasion of the centenary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal.  The director was [[Andries A. Pienaar]] (Sangiro), who had previously been involved with [[Die Bou van 'n Nasie]] (1938).  This was followed by [[Donker Spore]] (1944), an adaptation of a story by [[C.J. Langenhoven]], directed by [[Thomas Blok]] and [[J.F. Marais]].  Finally there was [[Pinkie se Erfenis]] (1946), based on a play by [[Pierre de Wet]] and directed by the author himself.  It was to be the only film de Wet made outside the umbrella of [[African Film Productions]].

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg.  Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl.  To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production.  Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.
-The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
+The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and subsequently became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
 The new company didn't lack ambition.  Not only were they going to produce films of all genres, they were going to try and export them, import others and screen them in their own cinemas.  Their films were going to be in Afrikaans and deal with Afrikaans themes.  The first feature that was completed was [[Die Lig van 'n Eeu]] (1942), made on the occasion of the centenary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal.  The director was [[Andries A. Pienaar]] (Sangiro), who had previously been involved with [[Die Bou van 'n Nasie]] (1938).  This was followed by [[Donker Spore]] (1944), an adaptation of a story by [[C.J. Langenhoven]], directed by [[Thomas Blok]] and [[J.F. Marais]].  Finally there was [[Pinkie se Erfenis]] (1946), based on a play by [[Pierre de Wet]] and directed by the author himself.  It was to be the only film de Wet made outside the umbrella of [[African Film Productions]].

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg.  Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl.  To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production.  Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.
-The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill and the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
+The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill covering the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
 The new company didn't lack ambition.  Not only were they going to produce films of all genres, they were going to try and export them, import others and screen them in their own cinemas.  Their films were going to be in Afrikaans and deal with Afrikaans themes.  The first feature that was completed was [[Die Lig van 'n Eeu]] (1942), made on the occasion of the centenary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal.  The director was [[Andries A. Pienaar]] (Sangiro), who had previously been involved with [[Die Bou van 'n Nasie]] (1938).  This was followed by [[Donker Spore]] (1944), an adaptation of a story by [[C.J. Langenhoven]], directed by [[Thomas Blok]] and [[J.F. Marais]].  Finally there was [[Pinkie se Erfenis]] (1946), based on a play by [[Pierre de Wet]] and directed by the author himself.  It was to be the only film de Wet made outside the umbrella of [[African Film Productions]].

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg.  Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl.  To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production.  Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.
-The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill and the trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
+The total amount paid came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill and the continued use of the Utolo name.  The trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year.  In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo.  They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of  shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).
 The new company didn't lack ambition.  Not only were they going to produce films of all genres, they were going to try and export them, import others and screen them in their own cinemas.  Their films were going to be in Afrikaans and deal with Afrikaans themes.  The first feature that was completed was [[Die Lig van 'n Eeu]] (1942), made on the occasion of the centenary of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in the Transvaal.  The director was [[Andries A. Pienaar]] (Sangiro), who had previously been involved with [[Die Bou van 'n Nasie]] (1938).  This was followed by [[Donker Spore]] (1944), an adaptation of a story by [[C.J. Langenhoven]], directed by [[Thomas Blok]] and [[J.F. Marais]].  Finally there was [[Pinkie se Erfenis]] (1946), based on a play by [[Pierre de Wet]] and directed by the author himself.  It was to be the only film de Wet made outside the umbrella of [[African Film Productions]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 29 July 2015
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
		+
		+	Articles of Association (Cape Town Archives Repository)

	[[The Forum]], 12 September 1941		[[The Forum]], 12 September 1941

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 29 July 2015
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	Le Roux, André I. & Fourie, Lilla – Filmverlede: geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse speelfilm		Le Roux, André I. & Fourie, Lilla – Filmverlede: geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse speelfilm
−

	== Return to ==		== Return to ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:53, 29 July 2015
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	At the third annual general meeting of Utolo held in November 1944, [[J.G. van der Merwe]] admitted that technically the films that had been made so far left much to be desired. The sound equipment that had been ordered from overseas had been sunk by "enemy action", which meant that the filmmakers had had to rely on what they could obtain or manufacture locally. The war, of course, had made it impossible to import new equipment and there were very few Afrikaans technicians who could guide them. Nevertheless they were still hoping to set up an independent production unit that could film on 35mm and the aim was to create four feature films per year. One of them was going to be constructed around the theme of "Sarie Marais" and was going to be a tribute to the ideal of Afrikaans womanhood. It was estimated that it would take from 4 to 6 years to bring to completion. However, it soon became clear that with its last film Utolo had over-extended itself and shortly afterwards it filed for bankruptcy. (FO)		At the third annual general meeting of Utolo held in November 1944, [[J.G. van der Merwe]] admitted that technically the films that had been made so far left much to be desired. The sound equipment that had been ordered from overseas had been sunk by "enemy action", which meant that the filmmakers had had to rely on what they could obtain or manufacture locally. The war, of course, had made it impossible to import new equipment and there were very few Afrikaans technicians who could guide them. Nevertheless they were still hoping to set up an independent production unit that could film on 35mm and the aim was to create four feature films per year. One of them was going to be constructed around the theme of "Sarie Marais" and was going to be a tribute to the ideal of Afrikaans womanhood. It was estimated that it would take from 4 to 6 years to bring to completion. However, it soon became clear that with its last film Utolo had over-extended itself and shortly afterwards it filed for bankruptcy. (FO)
−

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 29 July 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	'''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg. Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl. To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production. Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.	+	'''Utolo Beperk''' (sometimes known as Utolo Films or Utolo Filmmaatskappy) was incorporated on 7 December 1940 and the oficial articles gave the company's location as the Volkskas Building in Market Street, Johannesburg. Its first directors were [[J.G. van der Merwe]], an attorney and businessman from Heilbron who would later become the Chairman of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, and Wynand H. Louw, a prominent architect from Paarl. To start with they took over the equipment, a small film library and furniture/fittings from the Cape Town-based [[Utolo Films of Africa]], a production company owned by [[Harold C. Weaver]] and [[Graham C. Young]] that specialised in documentary production. Because the new firm was short on technical expertise, it was agreed that Weaver and Young would enter into a two-year contract with the new owners, with the proviso that Weaver would be released should his anticipated appointment as head of the [[Union Defence Force Film Unit]] come to pass - which it did.

	The total amount came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill and the trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year. In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo. They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).		The total amount came to £1267/10/- plus £600 for goodwill and the trustees who signed the agreement on behalf of Utolo Beperk were [[J.G. van der Merwe]] and [[P.J. Botma]], the latter being the Secretary of the parent company, [[Volksbioskope Maatskappy Beperk]], which had been founded earlier that year. In fact, Volksbioskope (or [[VOBI]]) committed itself to paying all the initial costs of launching the company in return for 400 shares in Utolo. They would also serve as the distribution agency for all films produced and became the majority shareholders with 4400 shares, with smaller number of shares being held by various individuals, including [[Thomas Blok]], one of the directors of the film [[Donker Spore]], and [[Nicolaas Diederichs]], a future Minister of Finance in the National Party and later State President (1975-1978).