Marc Schwinges
- Producer
- Production Manager
- Executive
I am an accomplished CEO, COO, Producer, Executive Producer, and production deal architect, specialising in film and television budgeting, finance sourcing including commissions and pre-sales, rebates, equity, grants, and co-productions. I have successfully executed deals with major VOD players such as Netflix as well as traditional broadcasters and spearheaded significant transmedia extensions. My expertise extends to production insurance, bonding, legal work, compliance, and reporting on larger productions.
With a career spanning over three decades, I have established myself as a prominent figure in South Africa and internationally. I have a track record of delivering high-quality factual and fiction content, managing larger production, post-production, and distribution companies, as well as providing consulting services to governments and other production companies.
Experience (Recent /Active):
Consulting Exec Producer / Deal Architect - Underdog July 2023- Present
. Since July 2023, I have been consulting via my own company as an Executive Producer and deal architect for various of South Africa's most respected film producers on several feature films, including two with Netflix and two for international release. Three of the films are set to go into production by mid-2024, while one is currently in post-production. I am also seeking opportunities to spend more time in Europe and work there for broadcasters or VOD players.
Producer / Executive Producer / CEO - Underdog Productions 1993 - Present
. As the co-founder and leader of Underdog Productions since 1993, I have overseen the production of hundreds of hours of internationally released film and television projects, predominantly focusing on factual content. A selection of my work with Underdog can be viewed at our main web site for Underdog. . Notably, I have developed a substantial LGBTQIA+ catalogue, contributing to diversity and inclusivity in the industry. . Additionally, I served as the Executive Producer Transmedia for the first three seasons of Big Brother on the African Continent.
COO - AAA Entertainment 2018 - June 2023
. Joined AAA Entertainment, South Africa's international sales agent and Netflix distribution partner, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). . Successfully managed a 2.7million Euro production budget, resulting in 50 half-hour factual television shows for global markets and now primarily streaming on Amazon Prime and Netflix. . Additionally oversaw two slates of Netflix Feature Films with a combined budget of 7.4million Euro, including budgeting and finance for "Happiness Ever After" (2021), "Do Your Worst" (2023), and "Love Sex and 30 Candles" (2023) all released on Netflix. . Managed teams of production staff, accountants, and post-production teams.
Co-Producer - "A Fool's Paradise" - South Africa/Netherlands Co-Production 2017/8
. Completed the first documentary feature co-production under a new treaty between South Africa and the Netherlands, delivered in two language versions.
Skills and Expertise:
. I have extensive experience Executive Producing and Producing hundreds of factual television shows, award winning documentary and transmedia as well as fiction films. . My knowledge of South African Government funding sources, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's (DTIC) Production Incentives (rebate), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and regional and special funds as well as maximising funding for formal and informal international co-productions is comprehensive. . I am expanding my knowledge of Dutch, German and UK funding sources (national and regional), EU funding, Co-Productions and World-wide distribution. . I have produced factual television in Africa, across Europe and in North America. . Proficient in securing production insurance and completion bonds. . I am skilled in bank-based cash-flow finance. . My post-production experience began in 1990 as a TV editor / agency producer in the TV advertising industry, and consequently I flourished while at AAA running a Netflix-approved post-production facility. . Advanced Mac IT literacy, ChatGPT, WordPress, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. . I am proficient in industry-standard software such as Movie Magic Budgeting 10, Movie Magic Scheduler, and MydaEs cost reporting software, SAGE Accounting amongst others.
Industry Positions / Contacts:
. I have contacts and experience in production mainly in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. . I regularly attend most major markets and film festivals especially for factual and documentary in Europe, Africa, and The Americas. . Within South Africa, I possess the most extensive industry experience and contacts, having worked with all South African broadcasters (public: SABC, pay TV: M-Net and E-TV). . Previously, I held positions as treasurer and co-chair of the umbrella body, The South African Screen Federation (SASFED); former Honorary and Board member of the SA Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA); and as Chairperson and founding member of the Independent Producers Organisation of South Africa (IPO). . I served on the Digital Television Content Advisory Group within the regulatory body, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). . I have represented the South African production industry in presentations to South Africa's Parliament on copyright reform and extensively at festivals and markets around the world.
Education and Languages:
. I studied film from a young age, honing my skills and passion for the film and TV industry. . I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, to first-generation German immigrants, holding dual citizenship and the right to live and work in the EU, with visa-free access to the UK. . As a "dyslexic thinker", I am fluent in spoken English and German, with basic Afrikaans. . As a gay man, I overcame prejudice faced by much of South Africa during apartheid, was a conscientious objector, and contribute to addressing the imbalance caused by apartheid.
With a career spanning over three decades, I have established myself as a prominent figure in South Africa and internationally. I have a track record of delivering high-quality factual and fiction content, managing larger production, post-production, and distribution companies, as well as providing consulting services to governments and other production companies.
Experience (Recent /Active):
Consulting Exec Producer / Deal Architect - Underdog July 2023- Present
. Since July 2023, I have been consulting via my own company as an Executive Producer and deal architect for various of South Africa's most respected film producers on several feature films, including two with Netflix and two for international release. Three of the films are set to go into production by mid-2024, while one is currently in post-production. I am also seeking opportunities to spend more time in Europe and work there for broadcasters or VOD players.
Producer / Executive Producer / CEO - Underdog Productions 1993 - Present
. As the co-founder and leader of Underdog Productions since 1993, I have overseen the production of hundreds of hours of internationally released film and television projects, predominantly focusing on factual content. A selection of my work with Underdog can be viewed at our main web site for Underdog. . Notably, I have developed a substantial LGBTQIA+ catalogue, contributing to diversity and inclusivity in the industry. . Additionally, I served as the Executive Producer Transmedia for the first three seasons of Big Brother on the African Continent.
COO - AAA Entertainment 2018 - June 2023
. Joined AAA Entertainment, South Africa's international sales agent and Netflix distribution partner, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). . Successfully managed a 2.7million Euro production budget, resulting in 50 half-hour factual television shows for global markets and now primarily streaming on Amazon Prime and Netflix. . Additionally oversaw two slates of Netflix Feature Films with a combined budget of 7.4million Euro, including budgeting and finance for "Happiness Ever After" (2021), "Do Your Worst" (2023), and "Love Sex and 30 Candles" (2023) all released on Netflix. . Managed teams of production staff, accountants, and post-production teams.
Co-Producer - "A Fool's Paradise" - South Africa/Netherlands Co-Production 2017/8
. Completed the first documentary feature co-production under a new treaty between South Africa and the Netherlands, delivered in two language versions.
Skills and Expertise:
. I have extensive experience Executive Producing and Producing hundreds of factual television shows, award winning documentary and transmedia as well as fiction films. . My knowledge of South African Government funding sources, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's (DTIC) Production Incentives (rebate), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and regional and special funds as well as maximising funding for formal and informal international co-productions is comprehensive. . I am expanding my knowledge of Dutch, German and UK funding sources (national and regional), EU funding, Co-Productions and World-wide distribution. . I have produced factual television in Africa, across Europe and in North America. . Proficient in securing production insurance and completion bonds. . I am skilled in bank-based cash-flow finance. . My post-production experience began in 1990 as a TV editor / agency producer in the TV advertising industry, and consequently I flourished while at AAA running a Netflix-approved post-production facility. . Advanced Mac IT literacy, ChatGPT, WordPress, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. . I am proficient in industry-standard software such as Movie Magic Budgeting 10, Movie Magic Scheduler, and MydaEs cost reporting software, SAGE Accounting amongst others.
Industry Positions / Contacts:
. I have contacts and experience in production mainly in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. . I regularly attend most major markets and film festivals especially for factual and documentary in Europe, Africa, and The Americas. . Within South Africa, I possess the most extensive industry experience and contacts, having worked with all South African broadcasters (public: SABC, pay TV: M-Net and E-TV). . Previously, I held positions as treasurer and co-chair of the umbrella body, The South African Screen Federation (SASFED); former Honorary and Board member of the SA Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA); and as Chairperson and founding member of the Independent Producers Organisation of South Africa (IPO). . I served on the Digital Television Content Advisory Group within the regulatory body, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). . I have represented the South African production industry in presentations to South Africa's Parliament on copyright reform and extensively at festivals and markets around the world.
Education and Languages:
. I studied film from a young age, honing my skills and passion for the film and TV industry. . I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, to first-generation German immigrants, holding dual citizenship and the right to live and work in the EU, with visa-free access to the UK. . As a "dyslexic thinker", I am fluent in spoken English and German, with basic Afrikaans. . As a gay man, I overcame prejudice faced by much of South Africa during apartheid, was a conscientious objector, and contribute to addressing the imbalance caused by apartheid.