WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW HAS IT SHAPED YOU AS A DIRECTOR?
I was born in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. My mom is an artist (sculptor, painter, photographer and welder) and my father is a businessman. To be honest, I never knew I wanted to be a film director. I was assigned a project in grade 12 in which I had to create a film and that was the first time I ever picked up a camera. The film was received really well, but I never thought much of it. When the time came to decide what to study in university, my dad encouraged me to get a degree in business management. He wanted me to have a secure job and I don’t blame him. The day before I applied my mom sat me down and said “I don’t think you should go through with this, I think you should become a film director”. I remember laughing at her and explaining to her that I have no background in film. She believed in my creative potential and somehow predicted a career that I never knew I could be great at. Since that day I have never looked back.
DESCRIBE THE MOMENT, IF THERE IS ONE, WHEN YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR?
After two years of studying a film and a television degree. I felt the class projects/films were not substantial enough to build my showreel or help me exhibit my potential as a filmmaker. I knew I had to go above and beyond what was assigned in class. I decided to do extra work outside of university to force myself to grow. I invested in a basic DSRL camera and started looking for competitions to enter. I had to be extremely resourceful with each film I made as I had to write the script, direct, shoot and edit it. When I started out initially, I wanted to be a cinematographer, but during the process of making my first public service announcement (PSA) for The Smile Foundation, I realised I wanted to be involved in the whole production process. I wanted to be the person responsible for bringing the final vision to life. The PSA was well received and the SABC decided to broadcast it on national television to help support the foundation. Seeing my work on television made me aware of the profound impact telling stories can have. It was in that moment that I knew I made the right career choice.
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
I live on Vimeo, Nowness, Pinterest and YouTube (any platform really!). I’m constantly watching short films, fashion films and advertisements to keep up with what is relevant. I get inspiration from films I love, interpret them in my own way and challenge myself to make something refreshing and unique.
WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS?
I don’t have one mentor in particular, I have a lot of different people that I have learnt valuable lessons from. These people often work with me on set and teach me new things every day. Greg Lomas and Gareth Whittaker helped me a lot when I first got into the industry. They are great teachers and were extremely patient with me. I also look up to Peter Carr, he has always guided me through my career choices and been a great support.
TOP THREE FAVOURITE DIRECTORS? WHY THEM?
Alejandro González Iñárritu: He is a brilliant story teller and has been able to challenge traditional cinema through his style of cinematography. He is constantly producing first class films showcasing new, innovative ways of telling a story.
Barry Jenkins: His work is pure visual art. I fell in love with Moonlight. His ability to create feeling/mood through elements of colour, sound design, non-verbal acting from his performers and cinematography is remarkable.
Wes Anderson: I have always loved his unique and quirky style of film. He has always remained true to it and constantly creates timeless pieces of work. His art direction, characters, storytelling, and composition of shots separate his work from many other films out there.
WHICH PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN?
I have just finished a Protea Women’s Cricket South Africa advert – keep a look out for it on TV!
WHAT KIND OF CONTENT DO YOU ENJOY CREATING?
I love creating online content, television adverts, brand films, fashion films and short films.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
I recently won an award at the Bokeh Fashion Film Festival for Best Mobile Short film. I had to shoot a fashion film on an IPhone camera using Lime Lenses. This was a really special project because it proves that it doesn’t matter what equipment you have, if you have the vision and you use whatever resources you have to execute it, you are winning!
AS A WOMAN WORKING IN A MALE DOMINATED INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THIS?
The biggest challenge for me is the constant fear that people instil in you before you even step foot on set. When I was younger I was told over and over again that this is a ‘boys club’ and ‘you’ll never survive’. I was intimidated when I first started and felt like I was too young, and sometimes doubted my competence for the job. But I had a great team behind me with people that believed in my vision and my talent despite my gender. I’ve been lucky enough to create great friendships along the way.
IF YOU COULD PRODUCE AN AFRICAN VERSION OF A HOLLYWOOD CLASSIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The Never Ending Story.
TOP THREE FAVOURITE FILMS OF ALL TIME?
- Moonlight
- Children of Men
- The Revenant.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SHOOT LOCATION?
That’s a tough one, I have a few – India, Russia and probably a desert.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC?
Charlize Theron.
