My Story
My journey began in 1998 when Betacam was king and edit was linear. I started out as a runner on M-net's K-TV and Live@5 working for Rapid Blue Productions, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Fast forward to 2001. Reality TV blew up. Pop Idols. Big Brother. Survivor. The Apprentice.
I knew this was were I wanted to spend my life.
I've had the opportunity to gallery direct and content produce 4-seasons of Big Brother Africa. I learnt AVID and edited the Idols SA season 1 finale inserts! I task-produced and field directed Africa's version of The Apprentice, and even followed wannabe Survivors around sand-fly infested beaches in Panama, Malaysia and the wild coast of Africa.
The reason I love my work is because I get to travel the world on other people's budgets! I've travelled the length and breadth of the African continent, filming shows and concerts for MTV. One thing you can always count on in Africa is cold beer and mobile phone airtime. And bribes!
TV has taken me to the Middle East, where I've worked as a fly-in director on and off for 10-years, working in Doha Qatar. From Falcons to Camels, I've filmed it all!
It's one thing directing established formats. It's a whole different kettle of fish creating you own, and then executing it. I've been blessed in my career to have helped create several original shows and formats. Making TV requires a little bit of madness, and a whole lot of courage.
My next adventure is to break down doors in Europe. In 2021 I moved to Cologne, Germany with my wife to start the next chapter of our life.
The best advice I've ever been given is "shoot with edit in mind".
I'm also not a fan of the Dutch-tilt, and solving it in post!
My Skills
All Rounder. That's how we roll in Africa!
In Africa we don't have the budgets for bloat. As a director you're editing, shooting, writing and sweating.