Production Paradise

January 2007. It's summer in Cape Town. And Showcase Cape Town is here to tell you about the hottest companies currently at work in South Africa's sizzling visual media industry. For a complete list of companies, please visit our recently re-designed directory at www.productionparadise.com.

J&B Met
This prestigious horseracing event is not only about thoroughbreds and bookies; it is also a day of glamorous fashion, entertainment and sophistication with a highly rated After Party. 27 January 2007. www.jbmet.co.za.

Spier Summer Arts Festival
The annual summer programme celebrates a proudly African line-up, with a diverse variety of performances covering music, theatre, film and comedy. Until March. www.spierarts.org.za.

Our cover series was shot by photographer Ansgar in Cape Town for Marie Claire Magazine.

cpt photography/photo production: GAVIN SCHNEIDER PRODUCTIONS

In full swing, the team at Gavin Schneider Productions continues to entertain its clients as best it knows how - working on catalogue, advertising and editorial projects.

Gavin says his "skilled crew attend to all photo production requirements with personal attention and professional service, ultimately creating an extraordinary working experience".

Latest campaigns include Philips worldwide, Oriflame Cosmetics, VO5, Allianz Insurance worldwide and David Mayer campaign, as well as many editorials with well-known photographers such as the recent Intersection Magazine shoot with Nick Clements.

cpt photography/photo production: VIAGGI INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS

The company's "trademark philosophy" is to offer production services all year round and match the layouts and requirements of its clients.

With the Cape Town season fully in swing, many of the company's long established catalogue clients like La Blanche Porte, Otto, 3 Suisses, ELC and Alexon have already used its services.

Various picture libraries also counted on V.I.P.'s production services and the company completed advertising campaigns for brands such as Guru, Seventy, Take Two, Lapin House, Pucci Perfumes, Spazio 6, and Chicco.

Campaigns for Nokia and Swiss Life are about to happen with "many more jobs in the pipeline".

cpt photography/photo production: STEEL PRODUCTIONS

• Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z in his latest Rocawear campaign shot by Mark Seliger in Durban and at a luxury game lodge in the African bush.
• Dimitri Daniloff shooting the latest Carlsberg campaign in Cape Town for Saatchi & Saatchi London.
• Working with the Navy Seals on a Sony Playstation shoot by Markku Lahdesmaki for TBWA CHIAT DAY in Los Angeles.
• A reportage story on Southern Africa for Star Alliance by National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belt, which included some spectacular images from Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Cape Town.

The Steel team says that they have "numerous exciting advertising, editorial and catalogue productions" confirmed for the second half of the season.

cpt photography/photo production: EUROCONNECTION SOUTH AFRICA

Euroconnection claims to have "started the season with a bang" and, judging by their list of recent projects, we see what they mean...

• Maverick - jeans campaign worldwide, photographer Marc Blommaert
• Kuyichi - jeans campaign for Europe, photographer Viviane Sassen
• Best Mountain - catalogue for France, photographer Brice Debray
• Wella Hair - campaign for Europe, photographer Jochen Arndt and Philip Bruderle
• Jules - fashion campaign for France, photographer Bjorn Tagemose
• C&A - kids campaign for Europe, photographer Annabel Sougne
• Crossmarks - menswear for Holland, photographer Anne Reinke
• ANWB - hiking wear for Holland, photographer Paul Steenbakker
• Gigue - high fashion for Belgium, photographer Paul Bellaart
• Sony Ericsson - worldwide campaign, photographer Michael Langhoff
• Myself Magazine - Conde Nast for Germany, photographer Wendy Carrig
• Vroom & Dreesman - department stores for Holland, photographer Carmen Kemmink

cpt photography/photo production: FIRST PRODUCTIONS

Recent projects by First Productions:

• Produced the latest SMART campaign for the third year running, with photographer Robert Grischek.
• Welcomed the new Miss Switzerland for the fourth year running for Swiss Illustrated, shot by Sabine Liewald.
• Sent Peter Hahn to the upmarket exclusive Singita lodge and welcomed four more productions to Cape Town in the New Year.
• New clients that have been "captivated by the diversity of Cape Town" include: Coop - Switzerland, Peter Hahn - Germany, Frankonia - Germany, SI Style and Adidas.

First Productions have asked us to pass on their thanks to their loyal and regular clients for their continued projects.

cpt photography/photo production: CAPE TOWN PRODUCTIONS

cpt photography/photo production: FREELINK

After a whirlwind tour of Europe in September and October 2006, Christine returned to Cape Town to a back-to-back schedule of pre-pods, castings, recces and shoots.

"I thought I'd take advantage of our low-season to visit some of our clients, get a feel for their markets, and generally get inspired by the zeitgeist in Europe," says Christine.

Season started earlier than usual for Freelink, so she hit the ground running. "It was great to get back to a busy schedule. I was so enthused from my trip; I couldn't wait to roll up my sleeves again."

cpt film/film production: MOONLIGHTING

Moonlighting celebrated a first this month: shooting in Cape Town, Santiago and Bucharest on the same day!

The company has nine commercials in production for this month as well as a feature film and "back-to-back" stills shoots.

Recent commercials and stills shoots:

• Mercedes for Markenfilm, Germany (Director: Henry Littlechild)
• Toyota for Outsider, UK (Director: Jorn Threllfall)
• Garnier for Tempesta, France (Director: Cecille Boisrond)
• Crest for Partizan, USA (Director: Agúst Baldursson)
• Ford for Plaza Films, Australia (Director: John Gwyther)
• Fol Epi for Bakery Films, Germany (Director: Martin Schmidt)
• British Telecom for 4x4 Production, Ireland (Director: Phil Crothers)
• Flora for BBH, London (Photographers: Edwin Low & Jonathan Anderson)
• Marco Polo for Dorland, Berlin (Photographer: Elliston Lutz)
• American Express for Ogilvy & Mather, Germany (Photographer: Martin Schoeller)

cpt film/film production: NAVIGATOR FILMS

The busy summer for Navigator Films seems to continue.

With confirmed projects until mid February, the new year has started as last year ended: "with a bang!"

Navigator has asked us to pass on their thanks to all their loyal clients "for all the fabulous work and the good fun on set in 2006 and wishing everyone a wonderful and exciting 2007".

cpt film/film production: CAPE FILM PRODUCTIONS

Cape Film Productions have a question: What do you get when you cross one of the best-value English-speaking production destinations in the world with a value-driven and highly experienced production team? Not surprisingly, they say the answer is.... Cape Film Productions!

• MTN 'First Steps'
• Virgin Activ 'I Know What You Weighed Last Summer'
• Checkers 'Corporate'
• Panadol 'Extra'
• Lucozade 'Boost'
• Ribena 'Biker Fives'
• Sterns 'Magic Moments'
• LML 'Freedom'
• Macleans 'Confidence'
• Close Up 'Circus'
• Parmalat 'Physical'

Currently In the pipeline are Checkers Campaign and MTN.

cpt photography/photo agents: INFIDELS

Their artists are very busy this season, with some exciting work:

• Crispian Plunkett shot the "Own the spotlight" campaign for Burjuman (Dubai).
• Caroline McClelland travelled to Budapest to shoot the Slim Line range for R1 Imperial Tobacco (Europe).
• Stephen Greeff shot editorials for French FHM and German Instyle magazines.
• Sven Jacobsen shot the local Levis campaign as well as the latest German campaigns for Gabor and T-Mobile.

Infidels' new artists are:

• Christian Conti, an Italian photographer whose clients include Baldini, Messagerie, Yoon and Parasuco Cult.
• Igor Polzenhagen, a local photographer shooting for various local magazines and advertising agencies such as a recent billboard shoot for Carling Black Label with Ogilvy and Mather.

cpt photography/photo agents: HURRICANES PHOTOGRAPHERS AGENCY

Hurricanes represents a unique range of talented photographers, both local and international, specialising in all aspects of photography.

They say that they are always able to offer a selection of varying styles, whether for behind-the-scenes, travel, editorial or any other requirement.

This season, they have welcomed on board international photographers such as Daniella Hehmann and Enrico Labriola.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: BASE MODEL AGENCY

Base Model Agency is a division of Base Holdings, founded by former International male supermodel and business mogul, Neal Vincent.

It is one of South Africa's most successful agencies but still continues to be an independent leader in the South African model and film industries.

Base models enjoy "high voltage careers" locally and on the international modelling scene in Milan, Paris and New York, working on major campaigns and showcasing international brands in Fashion Weeks around the world.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: THREE D MODEL AGENCY

Some recent projects from 3d model agency: 

• Markams campaign shot with models Steeve Clarica and David Guerre, with photographer Chrispian Plunket.
• Pacific Trail with Karolina Kurowska shot on location in the grass fields of Cape Town.
• Italian Vogue with Irina Miccoli shot with German photographer Alfred Sarchinger.
• Sasha Tarusova kissing Campari chocolates.
• Valeria Koritska photographed in the South African back yard with photographer Kaai Haase.
• Claudia Pea photographed for another cover.
• Chad Meihuizen with a Jonny Depp look-alike problem, photographed for the Guess South Africa campaign.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: ICE MODELS

cpt makeup/hair/styling/styling, hair and make up agents: MONOPOLE HAIR & MAKE UP + STYLING AGENCY

Monopole's crew has grown in the last 3 months: German stylist Rebecca von Rehn joining the team as well as Finnish hair & make-up artist Janne Suonno, local stylist Mandy Hendler and local fashion designer and stylist Oliver Pywell. Monopole is also pleased that Irish styling assistant Julie-Anne Furgos has joined the team.

The company's client list is impressive, and this season includes projects for Dutch Elle, Tchibo-Quelle Karstadt , C&A, Otto Jeans, Guru, Azzaro Perfume, Opel, BMW, Nokia, Sony Erikson, Freemans, Dove and Vroom & Dreesman.

Monopole have asked us to wish their clients and colleagues a happy and successful 2007.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: BOSS MODELS

The addition of Boss Management as a division of the agency provided the company's clients with a large pool of varied talent.

The agency represents models, actors, musicians and rock bands, photographers, hair & make-up artists and stylists. They say that they "maintain quality over quantity".

Recent projects: 

• Charlie Keegan: shot Abercrombie & Fitch with Bruce Weber in Miami in December.
• Gavin Hammon: appears in the worldwide Zenith campaign, shot by Marco Grob.
• Nicholas Pauling: having played the lead in Amadeus, appears next in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf. Photographer Misha B.
• Taylor: recently booked the Levi's and VW print campaigns, and shot for GQ, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: SHINE

Emma Buckland of Shine Photography produced the Zenith Watch (LVMH Group) campaign shot by Marco Grob, in and around Cape Town in December 2006. Cheetahs, falcons, speedboats, exotic cars and hugely diverse locations were all facilitated through Shine for this nine-day shoot, plus styled models, four of which are from Shine Models.
 
Dorian Isaacson, new to Shine Models, launched his model career in December 2006 as a lead in the Zenith Watch campaign. Dorian has been selected to represent South Africa in the Commonwealth Games in March 2007 in Australia. Shine says that Dorian "is definitely an extraordinary boy to keep all eyes on".
 
Wenyu from Shine Models is currently one of the only Asian models in Cape Town and in demand by TV, advertising and editorial clients.  At 1.75 m tall, Shine say that they are expecting a good international career for this model.

Yeva from Israel is currently based with Shine Models in Cape Town and working very well.
 
Jennifer Ohlsson from New York arrives soon in Cape Town for the second half of the commercial season.

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: Y MODELS

This season, Y models have shot for a wide range of big names, including:

• H&M
• ELLE Magazine
• Sports Illustrated
• GQ
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Levi's
• OTTO
• Marks & Spencer
• Littlewoods
• 3 Suisses
• La Redoute
• Heine
• Peek & Cloppenburg
• Ansons
• Esprit
• Marco O'Polo
• Nivea

cpt models/casting/actors/fashion models: OUTLAWS MODEL AGENCY

News from Outlaws Model Agency:

Local model Gina Clarke is said to be thrilled to have worked on the local new Windhoek ad, which is currently airing on South African Television.

Young Outlaws model Elzaane Wolfaardt has been spending six months working in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Laurence Nicotra has worked alongside Eva Herzigova on a Versace Sports ad and arrived in Cape Town.

cpt film/film post production: CONDOR CAPE TOWN

The company's creative talent is backed up with the latest technology and software updates and they say they are "true international players in the VFX and Post Production industry".

Watch out for the launch of their new website later this month - it will include their latest work, new showreel and you will be able to meet their artists in their new virtual home.

cpt food/restaurants: MANOLO RESTAURANT

Sleek, chic Manolo is situated in a 104 year old Victorian villa near the centre of Cape Town.

Three dining rooms, each differently designed, provide "a unique vibe for an extraordinary dining experience". The cuisine is classic French.

Manolo aims to set itself apart with a commitment to casual elegant service to its cosmopolitan clientele. The food, the bar (recently voted one of the top bars in South Africa), and the dynamic ambience are all designed to deliver an experience that reaches all of the senses.

There is a DJ every Friday.

cpt hotel/hotels: LES CASCADES DE BANTRY BAY

Les Cascades de Bantry Bay is an elegant lodge on the hillside below Lion's Head in what is considered the most exclusive bay on the Atlantic coast.

Bantry Bay and neighbouring Clifton are the most coveted parts of the Cape Peninsula and they both benefit from being sheltered from the often merciless south-easterly winds.

The lodge provides a tranquil, luxurious haven while Cape Town's main attractions - the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain - are a short drive away. Clifton's famous beaches are within walking distance.