FROM THE TIME HE STARTED SHOOTING SKATEBOARD FILMS ON A CAMCORDER
WITH HIS FRIENDS AS A CHILD, GIANT FILMS DIRECTOR PERI VAN PAPENDORP
SUSPECTED HE WAS DESTINED FOR THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR. HE STUDIED FILM
AND MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN BUT WENT ON TO DO A POST-
GRAD IN COPYWRITING AT AAA ADVERTISING SCHOOL. AFTER NINE YEARS IN
ADVERTISING, THE ROLE OF DIRECTOR BECAME IRRESISTIBLE.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW HAS THIS SHAPED YOU AS A
DIRECTOR?
A lot of my experience is in coming up with concepts that can tell a story in 30
seconds and sell the brand. So my advertising background heavily influences
how I work on scripts now. I love bringing new ideas and angles into the boards
I see and pushing it as much as possible but my background helps me know
what’s important in those scripts to the agency, and their clients, which helps
me gauge what I can or can’t fiddle with or push.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SA ADVERT TO DATE?
Yoh, tough question. I’ll always have an emotional connection with that damn
lovable Staffie in the 80s Dunlop ad. In more recent times, Virgin Atlantic “Love
Story’ still stands out as a superb spot.
DESCRIBE THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED YOU WANTED TO BECOME
A DIRECTOR?
I think the moment when I really made the career decision was while sitting on
set as an agency creative, thinking: “This oke doesn’t know what he’s doing. I
should be in that chair directing this thing!’
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE FROM WORKING AT AN AGENCY TO
WORKING IN PRODUCTION?
When you’re in an agency, you only get to make, like, 5% of the ideas you come
up with. That can be heartbreaking, especially when you fall in love with an idea.
As creative people, you want to be always making. In production, the idea has
already fought the good fight and made it through, so you’re that much closer to
seeing it come alive.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is constant and comes from completely unexpected places. Not
surprisingly, films give me the most inspiration. I’ll watch something and often
store ideas in my mind that will come out in my work. Music is a big one too. I
hear tracks that immediately give me a picture in my mind. Also just general
conversations. So often I’ll hear someone say something that kind of sits with
me and becomes an idea later on. Plagiarism, basically.
And rainbows. Very inspiring.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS?
I’ve had great mentors in my advertising career. Ross Chowles, Ahmed Tilly,
Chris Gotz are all ad men that have taught me a lot about this game. I don’t
really have a film mentor, but the directors at Giant – Robin Goode, Ian Gabriel –
have given me a lot of good advice and openly shared their knowledge. It’s a
great environment for that.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL CAREER MILESTONES?
Breaking in and getting consistent work already felt like a milestone. Going into
this, you’re told it could take years before you have a proper reel, so having
already done a good amount of work is immensely satisfying.
WHAT ARE YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PARTS OF THE JOB?
There is very little I don’t thoroughly enjoy about this job. Wardrobe calls can be
a bit tedious, but even those can be a great opportunity to bond with your cast
and start bouncing ideas for on-set.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HAIRIEST MOMENT ON SET?
Severely running out of time. Sitting on a product shot for three hours, knowing
that I still have shot 12 – 20 to get within the next few hours. That was serious
stress. That’s when you just start to run-and-gun. I had a small internal freak
out that I think I kept well hidden.
WHAT ARE YOUR ALL TIME THREE FAVOURITE FILMS AND WHY?
Goonies and Coming to America were my faves growing up. I watched those
films like 47 times each. Snatch for the dialogue, pace and camera language.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER AND WHY?
Daniel Day-Lewis would nail it and make my life look way dramatic. Then Vin
Diesel for the shots with my shirt off and Angelina Jolie for my mouth close-ups.
WHAT LOCATION WOULD YOU REALLY LIKE TO SHOOT AT?
Teahupoo in Tahiti. Have you seen that wave? I’d like to shoot from the safety
of a boat in the channel out at Teahupoo.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
At the top of my game, shooting big budget, award-winning spots in exotic
locations with a remarkable head of hair.
