SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: South African director, scriptwriter, actress, stand-up comic and former Miss India South Africa Krijay Govender holds a Master of Arts (Drama & Performance studies) degree from the University of Natal. As an actress she is known for roles in South African soapies Isidingo and Generations and drama series Zero Tolerance. She has worked as multi-cam director on Isidingo (2004 to 2007), City Ses’la (2010) and Rhythm City (2008 to 2011) and is currently part of the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winning directing team for M-Net outdoor soap The Wild.
HOW DOES ONE GO FROM BEAUTY QUEEN TO STAND-UP COMIC TO ACTRESS TO TV DIRECTOR?
Evolution.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS?
World class juggler.
WHAT COMPLETELY INSPIRES YOU?
Talented people – beyond just our industry!
IF YOUR LIFE HAD A SOUNDTRACK WHICH SONGS WOULD IT FEATURE?
Too Late to Apologise – OneRepublic.
HOW DO YOU WHILE AWAY THE TIME DURING THE VERY LONG DAILY COMMUTE TO AND FROM THE WILD’S LOCATION?
Mornings are great, the early-fresh air, no traffic and Classic FM which makes for great thinking space. Evenings are driven by thought of food and bed.
WHAT IS THE WILDEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED ON THE SET OF THE WILD?
You mean other than the snakes, hectic weather, rough roads, wild animals, wind storms, isolation, tight schedule, heavy equipment and the job itself? Every now and then a local Heidelberger visits…and that’s always fun (especially the conversation).
IF YOU WERE TO CAST A WILD ANIMAL IN THE WILD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
John Vlismas.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE COMFORT FOOD?
Potatoes in the form of chips.
WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL STAND-UP COMIC?
That’s like asking me who’s my favourite child? I mean, I know who it is… but I can never say it out loud.
IF YOU HAD TO BE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND WITH FIVE TV CHARACTERS (LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL), WHO WOULD THEY BE?
Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and any two other Kardashians. I will be doing the world and the TV industry a big favour, though I do believe conservationists will be angered that I am dumping trash on an island.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF DIRECTING TV DRAMA?
The challenges are actually what make the job exciting. Orchestrating and manipulating / getting a performance out of an actor / inspiring a crew / fixing a weak scene / shooting economically but making it look like a million dollars… and dieting in the presence of daily lunch pudding!
HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS ON SET?
I don’t stress on set. I am of the firm belief that if a director stresses the wheels come off fast and furiously. The director’s energy sets the tone for the day.
WHO IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRY WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH?
I love intuitive actors who can think… these are the few who can step out of their character to analyse and deconstruct but who effortlessly and instinctively step right back in when action is called. I often get so involved in watching these sorts of performers that I forget to call cut. Leeanda Reddy, Milan Murray, Michael Gritten, Linda Sokhulu and Susan Monteregge are among this lot who I would love to work with on film.
WHAT IS YOU DREAM JOB?
To work for The Berg! (Spielberg).
Screen Africa Magazine – July 2012
