Giant Film’s director, Peri van Papendorp chats to Screen Africa about his journey from writer to filmmaker…
What is your background and how has it shaped you as a director?
After film school at UCT, I had plenty of theory but no practical shooting experience – and I liked writing – so I chose to ply my trade as a writer in advertising where I could at least come up with the ideas that would be shot. I did that for 10 years and when the time finally felt right, made the jump into film.
Describe the moment, if there is one, when you knew you wanted to become a director?
I always saw it as something I wanted to do and every time I was on set as a writer, I knew I could be in that chair. In the end, the best part of my job in an agency was making films. So I decided that was what I needed to be doing.
Where do you go for inspiration?
I watch and listen to a lot of comedy, and am constantly inspired by it. Just the creative ideas that come through in it give me a kick and make me want to create stuff. I also get pumped on just seeing good ideas of any kind – film, performance, art, music. That deep hungry lust to do something as good drives me.
Who do you look up to in the film industry and who are your mentors?
I don’t really have a mentor as such, but the folk at Giant are always there to help me raise my game. I certainly look up to some of the strong performance directors in SA, the guys who have been around a long time and consistently do good work.
Top Three favourite directors, and why them?
I love the Coen Brothers’ stuff as well as the crazy shit that the Daniels directing duo are doing. Maybe I just really like duos…
Which projects are you currently involved in?
I’ve just finished a campaign for KingJames and am working on some new spots with Ogilvy CT for a beer brand. And writing my own short films in the background.
What kind of content do you enjoy creating?
I haven’t done many, but I love the freedom that comes with music videos. I’d like to do some more of that. And just keep shooting and honing my skills at commercials.
What has been your biggest career challenge to date?
Staying consistent in terms of output has been challenging. Tougher than breaking in, I found. You gotta have work coming out all the time or people start to forget you exist.
What has been some of the highlights of your career thus far?
My first highlight was winning a Loerie Grand Prix on the first thing I shot – which was just a live doccie thing. And a silver on the second thing I shot. But in general, having been able to pull off the leap into film still feels like a highlight to me. I’m so glad it worked out.
If you could produce an African version of a Hollywood classic, what would it be?
Jaws. Shot at Muizenburg.
Top three favourite films of all time?
Of all time is way too hard. So many great films. But some films I’ve re-watched too many times are Thrashin’, Stepbrothers and Snatch.
What is your dream shoot location?
Tahiti. Still working on that script.
Who would play you in a biopic?
I’d like to see Zach Galifianakis take a crash diet and play that role.
If you weren’t a filmmaker, what career would you have chosen?
Pro surfer. Hey… might still happen.
