Andrew Wessels is a director and editor who has worked on film, commercials, music videos, music television shows, dramas and documentaries over the past 14 years. Recently he worked as director and editor on Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola and directed action comedy feature film Blitz Patrollie. He was also drummer for SAMA-award winning rock band Cassette.
HOW DID YOU GO FROM BEING A TOURING MUSICIAN TO WORKING IN THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY?
It was actually the other way round. I started working in the film and TV industry in 1996 and a few years later began editing and directing. I have always been a drummer and had been involved in many music exploits before my career in film and TV, but none that every really led to anything.
When my first children were born (twins), I started hunting for work and found that the film and TV industry, and in particular editing, offered the ideal creative outlet for me as well as allowed me to make a living. I started playing with the band Cassette in about 2004.
We became hugely popular suddenly after the release of our first album and I spent a bit of time being a famous rock star touring the world! As romantic as it sounds, we never actually made any money so I continued doing film and television throughout my rock stardom. The band took up a huge amount of time and kept me away from home a lot so it was really tricky keeping my head above water. I also had another two children during that time so there were many heads to keep above water!
When the band eventually broke up, I was fortunate enough to have kept my foot in with the industry so it was relatively easy going back to being a full time filmmaker. I have a passion for performance, music and storytelling so whether in a band or making movies, I manage to exercise all those passions.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD.
Patient.
HOW DO YOU CONTROL COMEDIANS ON SET?
Patience.
HOW DO YOU KEEP EVERYONE ENERGISED DURING AN ACTION SHOOT?
Energy. If I can maintain my energy, I can keep others excited about what they are doing.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF ENERGISED DURING AN ACTION SHOOT?
I am at my best under pressure. I find I make the best decisions under those circumstances and because action shoots tend to be pretty chaotic, I am forced into that pressure zone and become tremendously energetic. It is incredibly exciting to see something you have put so much time and effort into doing materialise and that desire to see it finish drives me like a muthafukka.
WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING TO HAVE HAPPENED ON SET?
There are so many but they tend to be situational so they might not translate so well! A lot of my best memories relate to my early comedy work with Kagiso Lediga during the Fat Joe and Pure Monate days. I also did a lot of traveling in Africa, Europe and America with my good friend and fellow filmmaker John Barker while working with Channel O. Crazy times! Frankly, I’m a bit surprised to be alive after all that!
WHAT GETS YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING?
My children. I have four of them, the oldest being my 16 year old twins. They are constantly coming up with beautifully original thoughts that challenge my perceptions. My seven year old is also a fascinating character that is dead set on becoming an inventor. Very inspiring. My three-year-old daughter just makes me happy to be alive! Other than that, I love nothing more than to travel. The moment I step out of my comfort zone, I am bombarded with creative thought.
My wife and I also run an art gallery called Room in Braamfontein. She is constantly exposing me to inspiring visual art that I would never otherwise see. Through the gallery, I recently had the opportunity of working on a video piece with Wayne Barker. It was a very rewarding and inspiring experience that really challenged my understanding of the medium I have so long been involved in.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO BE A GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN OR AN OSCAR-WINNING FILM DIRECTOR, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
I choose to make things I can be proud of. I believe your entire life should be viewed as your artwork. Every aspect. I am many things and I try to do my best at everything I do. But I’ll have one of each, please 🙂
DO YOU EVER GET THE URGE TO DRUM ON SET?
I find directing and performing are very similar. Directing is a kind of performance. Being a drummer in a band is a very powerful position. You really have the ability to screw things up or make them fly, mostly depending on your energy and confidence. So no, the set is no place for drums. That would be like speaking Russian to a group of Spaniards. But it is a place for positive energy and confidence. Besides, drums can be really annoying without accompaniment.
WHO IN THE INDUSTRY WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH?
Passionate people who haven’t forgotten what it is like to be a child, people who know how to share ideas and how to keep their egos in check.
WHAT FILM OR TV SERIES DO YOU WISH YOU’D DIRECTED YOURSELF?
Film: Wall-e. Series: Battlestar Gallactica.
IF YOU HAD TO BE STUCK ON AN ISLAND WITH THREE ICONIC MUSICIANS OR BANDS, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
I like storytellers more than musicians. I have no interest in talking about drumsticks, amps and effects pedals. I want to talk about characterisation, perception, expression and the distance between the performer and the self. So maybe Lou Reed, Bjork, Fela Kuti, Damon Albarn (or the Gorillaz) and David Bowie. But I doubt they would all be available on the same day.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I’m busy working on a story for an animated film, a sci-fi script, two documentary ideas and an experimental music / video performance band. I really enjoy technology as well so I am quite involved in looking at new media, particularly related to the Internet. I’m also working on happiness.
