Monthly Archives: October 2011

Stepping Back into the 17th Century

Posted on by

Picture this:
It’s the 17th Century, London.
Traders, merchants, busy streets, spices, pearls, silks, fresh flowers….. and TAM (yours truly) winding down the cobblestone path.
Oh, and I’m fully kitted out in a very large and very white wig and an old-fashioned hooped dress.
Totally Keira Knightley of me, I know.

17th Century attire

Well that was the scene last week as I worked on a documentary-series called “The Great British Story” for Sky1 Channel, UK!

It’s a documentary about the history of Britain, with different episodes making up the series. This was for episode 4.
What an incredible experience.
It was at The Castle monument here in Cape Town.

The alley

I was what they call a ‘featured extra’.
For those of you who don’t know, that basically means you’re slightly more important than an extra :) (noddy badge please)

A snap of all of us together

I didn’t really know what a ‘featured extra’ meant, I must say.
I thought it would be me in amongst crowds of other randoms on a scene in a bigger film or documentary. So I was actually surprised when I got there and I was one of only 3 girls.
And let me say, we were treated like the royalty we were meant to be portraying.
People were running around getting our costumes for us, handing us water when we looked pale, following us to touch up our make-up and hair and waiting behind the cameras with towels to dry us off after shooting.

They would even randomly stop us while walking to say things like; “no…those shoes aren’t right, let’s get you better ones!”
Basically they gave us all the ego-boosting we could want in one day, and I must say I loved every second! Hehe

Having a laugh

At lunchtime we were escorted by one of the crew to a buffet that included roast potatoes, butternut, veggies, sizzling beef, salad and roasted chicken..
I was totally impressed and would totally do this again because of it.
In fact, I am doing this again on Death Race: Inferno shooting in November… (ok, a little bit more than this so I may just die of a heart attack from the attention lol)
I can’t imagine what it must feel like to actually be a mega movie star. If it’s half as ego-boosting as this, I’m sold!

One of the scenes

We arrived on set – what they call “call-time” – early, at about 9am.

Thanks to Kings of Leon the night before I was totally hungover.

Me in my proudest plastered moment the night before

Feeling like crap, the smell of coffee as I pulled up to base camp (I know, very cool film jargon) was heavenly.

Arriving in amidst make-up, hair and costume trailers, I was greeted by the delicious sight of a table full of food – crisps, toasted sandwiches, tea, milo, hot chocolate, juices, biscuits…
HEAVEN!

Arriving

After make-up and wardrobe, we did a scene.
We had to ‘run through the rain’ as we made our way along a cobbled alleyway.
They had an uber cool rain machine (cool because it’s a rain machine….not cool because we didn’t look quite as hot as the girl from The Notebook in her rain scene afterwards).

Yip, drenched dresses and sopping wigs were the order of the day for us three -Not our sexiest moments!

After 3 takes, it was back to base camp for a change of clothes.

The production crew was so much fun and let me tell you – NOT messing around.

This was full-on-high-production stuff! I was totally intimidated :)

The camera was the size of my car and the amount of wires, walky-talkies, ear pieces, gadgets, gizmos and general cool-ness that went into being a member of the production crew was beyond me.

On set

Mist machine :)

The next scene was through a crowded merchant-covered street.

And guess what? The camera followed me at one point. Me, out of everyone, was chosen!

No pressure.

Spices

It was very exciting having a camera in my face as I walked through the street ‘reacting’ to vendors selling me exotic stuff …. The director kept screaming things to me like; “The garlic! The garlic! You like the garlic…let’s see you smell the garlic” as he zoomed into my face with this gargantuan contraption – sound boom and dolly track in toe.

I was playing very smooth I must say, not showing an inch of nerves at having all eyes on me…

I smelt that garlic! I bought that rosemary! I smelt that turmeric! I felt that silk! And, boy, did I ever enjoy those coffee beans!

I thought I was doing so well until we got to a stall that was selling buttons (of all things).

“Ok!” The director yells, everyone taking their positions.

“The buttons! You want the buttons! Let’s go for the buttons!” he screams as he pulls in with the camera, lowers the boom mic to my head and motions to the crew to move in around me.

Feeling totally confident, having just come from what I thought was an Oscar-winning performance at the spice rack, I reach for the buttons.

“Yes! Yes! We’re tight on the buttons!”

I reach further.

“Ok! Do something! They’re yours! Let’s see the buttons!”

All eyes lean in.
I reach.

He yells.

Extras look on.

Guy racks focus.

Crew stares.

I take a handful.

“Yes! Yes! Good! More!”

Horse neighs.

Fire crackles.

I pull them toward me.

“Yes! Yes!”

I lean in.

Camera leans in.

And…..

“This is the moment! Go for it!”

I panic.

I look around.

I look back.

And I smell the buttons.

Yes.

That’s right.

I smell the buttons.

“And we’re smelling the fucking buttons!!” he yells as he cuts and the whole crew bursts out laughing.

Cringe.

Wow, Talk about a heated moment!!

How embarrassing.

Hahaha

It was honestly so hilarious…. I think my cheeks were on fire for the rest of the day.

Hmmm….maybe I’m not ready for that Oscar just yet? Lol

Us 3 girls

All in all it was a wonderful day.

We wrapped at 4pm and I was completely exhausted by the end of it.

It was a very rewarding experience and I recommend anyone to be an extra (or featured extra) on set at least once in their lifetime!

To be part of something bigger than you is awesome. Especially when you know it’s going to be of high production value and a genuinely interesting piece for the viewers.

Getting in I kicked off my shoes,  took a long, hot bath, had a glass of wine and made a mental note to get the DVD out when its released next year and watch out for myself in the big posh blue dress  :)
Xxxx

Cape Town Film Studios Gives Hollywood a Run For Its Money

Posted on by

Who thought that South Africa couldn’t have its own Hollywood?

Well, it’s (kind of) arrived :)

Here in Cape Town, along the N2 on the way to Stellenbosch, huge mysterious structures have been popping up for some time now in an area which a signboard pointing to it labels “Cape Town Film Studios” – Basically, huge warehouses in which things are gonna be filmed :)

Ok, maybe it’s a little more complicated than that but you get the idea.

Phase 1 ended at the end of last year. That was the construction of sound stages, production offices, workshops, retail spaces, commercial offices and light industrial facilities.

There are massive sets which are being built to mimic scenes that are frequently needed for films. For example, there’s a typical New York street set being built and a typical USA style suburb.

Also being built inside the studios are the interior sets which are magnificent replicas of the interior of a medieval castle and caves.

Currently there are two drama documentaries being filmed at the studios, The Story of Great Britain and The History of the World.

The CEO of the Cape Town Film Studios is a guy called Nico Dekker.

He is the former head and CEO of Table Mountain Motion Picture Studios and is assisted by an experienced management team, namely Rashay Magan (General Manager and deputy Chairman), Ross Rayners (Manager: Studio Projects),  Fadiel Martin (Accountant) and Anant Singh (Chairman) -He was in fact interviewed on CNN!

On its website, it’s described as “Cape Town’s first, fully fledged sound stage complex”.

Even famous vistors are impressed.

Stephen Fry said on Twitter during the filming of The Borrowers:

“And – that’s a wrap. 12 hours of larkish fun. Must say deeply impressed with brand new Cape Town Studios. Make Pinewood etc look v shabby”

It’s also been mentioned in The Hollywood Reporter (“Global Studios: Seven state-of-the-art production facilities that are giving Hollywood a Run for its Money”), and in Time Magazine itself (“Africa’s Starring Role”)!

Here are the links to the articles if you are interested in having a read… I recommend you do!

http://www.capetownfilmstudios.co.za/images/stories/pdf/Global-Studios.pdf

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2063730,00.html

And while you’re at it, take a look at the Cape Town Film Studios website:

http://www.capetownfilmstudios.co.za/

I, for one, am very excited to be South African right now!

Xxxx

Kings of Leon Perform Live in South Africa!

Posted on by

What is it this month with South Africa and world-famous musicians?

First there was Coldplay, then David Guetta…. Later this year it’s Janet Jackson and Lil’ Wayne….and at the moment it’s Kings of Leon!

It’s every blogger’s dream :)

The American rock band, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999, has hit South Africa and is performing tonight at the Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint, and at the F N B Stadium in Johannesburg this weekend.

They achieved initial success in the UK, with 9 Top 40 singles, 2 BRIT Awards and each one of their early albums making it into the top five of the UK Albums Chart. Their album Because of the Times (2006-2007), reached the No.1 spot.

Their album Only By the Night, which was released in September 2008, saw the band achieve momentous popularity in the US. The singles “Sex on Fire”, “Use Somebody” and “Notion” all peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

As if that wasn’t enough, the album itself became their first ever Platinum-selling album in the US, and was the best-selling album of 2008 in Australia, being certified Platinum 9 times.

Sheeesh!

These boys have done well.

They’ve even got a documentary coming out of their lives… called Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon.

Premier of Talihina Sky at the Tribeca Film Festival April 2011

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 21 this year and received huge praise.

It was acquired by Showtime, premiering on the network on August 21.

The tag line?

“When three teenaged brothers and their cousin rebelled against their strict, religious Southern upbringing to form Kings of Leon, their humble backstory garnered almost as much attention as their music.”

It features concert footage, home movies and archival material and how the rock band got their fame. It was directed by Stephen C. Mitchell.

Their latest album is called Come Around Sundown and was released in October 2010 in the UK and the U.S.

They received a Grammy nomination for best rock song in 2011 for the song “Radioactive.”

Here is a list of their albums:

We should be thanking Nokia and 5FM for bringing them to us… This is their first time ever performing live in South Africa!

>> ACTORS AND MODELS It’s Time To Get Vulnerable… Season’s Coming Up!! <<

Posted on by

Ok.

So we’re at the end of the year and I must say I’m quite excited for season to start here in Cape Town.

That’s when a huge deal of castings and auditions happen every week, as filmmakers – local and international – flood to the mother city and start prepping for films and commercials they want to shoot over the summer months and even into next year.

It’s also when you start seeing those drop-dead-make-you-jealous Brazilians everywhere whose legs go on for years.

Why? Because models and actors from other countries actually fly to South Africa for these months to book work.

It’s like me flying to the USA for four of their busiest months, during a time when South Africa is quiet (winter).

I wish!

Recent castings I’ve been to have been for Vodacom, International Banking groups, Cars (Peugeot for instance), Technology companies (LG and Hisense for example) and even a British TV series. So…we’re warming up.

One of the auditions was at Cape Town Film Studios – a really stunning (massive) area on the way to Stellenbosch with modern studios, just like you see in Hollywood :)

I was totally impressed.

As I walked to my audition (a 2 page monologue in a British accent), I passed massive sets being built, warehouses full of props and people running around on various film-related missions.

It remains to be seen whether I got any of those castings or not…. I do know I’ve been optioned for the Peugeot commercial which shoots in November:):)

In the meantime I did a nice voice over recording in a place called Milestone studios last week and I have another one this week for MWEB.

The recording at Miletsone was for a new website where people can book online for restaurants.

A very cool idea and the project is called “Come Dine” (www.comedine.co.za).

I’m looking forward to an MC (Master of Ceremonies) job I am doing this upcoming weekend at a trendy nightclub called ZAR, where a very nice fashion show will be happening.

I always love doing events like fashion shows – the atmosphere is very relaxed and playful, everyone is sipping on cocktails and you’re basically just overseeing a big party!

I love the outfits, the people, the music, the free stuff you can win and I love watching the audience get slowly sozzled on the free drinks :)

This fashion show sees designers Ladybugz, Nocturnal, Longstreet Boutique – Cavendish and FCM – Ferial’s Closet Makeover showing off garments on 15 gorgeous models.

Among the sponsors for the night are GHD and Mini Cooper (who are sponsoring 2 Mini Coopers and a Grand Prize).

Talking about Longstreet Fashion Boutique, I have a photo shoot for their summer collection next week.

Longstreet Fashion Boutique

I’ve done a shoot for them once before for their winter stuff and I really loved the pics!

Longstreet Fashion Boutique

Longstreet Fashion Boutique

Longstreet Fashion Boutique

Longstreet Fashion Boutique

http://www.longstreetboutique.com/

Xxxx

>> Bafunny Bafunny <<

Posted on by

How’s this for a cute concept –

“If comedy was a sport, who would represent South Africa?”

Bafunny Bafunny is a new hilarious comedy show, featuring 8 of South Africa’s best (funniest) comedians.

The title alone grabs your attention; a smart pun playing on the name of our national soccer team ‘Bafana Bafana’…

Who are they, you’re asking? Who makes up our ‘team’?

Touring South Africa, these 8 comedians have put Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town in stitches!

I attended the show in Cape Town at the Grand West Grand Arena, and let me tell you by the end of the 2 and a half hour show I was crying my way out of there!

MC’d by Mark Banks, The Bafunny Bafunny squad did not disappoint!

The comedy was all very sharp, very relevant and extremely unforgettable! (I’ll be that irritating one that repeats the jokes to her friends for weeks to come)

A recurring theme through all the comedians seemed to be Julius Malema as well as the cuss word “jou ma se –“

(us South Africans know the rest :) )

I wonder if they all had a workshop and brainstormed together…

There is only one criticism that I have of a few of the comedians.

I’m not a fan of too much of the word ‘fuck’ in comedy. I think it’s a lazy alternative to a pause.

When used strategically, ‘fuck’ can be very poignant and give that final ‘je ne sais quoi’ to a very smart joke. But when we have to see them stumble through 6 ‘fucks’ in two sentences because they think they’re making it funnier (I think it’s just a nervous habit), there’s a problem.

Unfortunately ‘fuck’ was used so much by one or two of the guys that by the 4th ‘fuck’ in the same sentence, my friends and I were actually cringing.

Not because we were offended, but because it was so annoying that the joke couldn’t be told coherently without ‘fuck’ finding its way in either as an adjective (‘fucking’ grannies are ‘fucking’ old bru) or a noun (I don’t give a ‘fuck’ that they’re old) or an adverb (when they’re ‘fucking’ pushing those trollies) or a sheer exclamation (they must stay on their side of the isle. ‘Fuck!’) – and in most cases, all four!

Think about it.

Is that comedy?

My favourite comedian of the night by far was Trevor Noah (ironically he didn’t swear once).

Sponsored by Savannah – “Official Drink of Funny” – this was a real cross-section of talent, featuring comedians from all backgrounds and from all walks of life.

There would have been at least 1 out of the 8 that appealed to you if you attended!

Here is the URL to the website where you can learn about each comedian if you want to know more about them and their ‘position’ in the ‘team’.

http://www.bafunnybafunny.com/

  • Barry Hilton
  • John Vlismas
  • Loyiso Gola
  • Mark Banks
  • Trevor Noah
  • Nik Rabinowitz
  • Stuart Taylor
  • Eugene Khoza

Also, check out their killer trailer -

Xxxx

John Cleese Brings His Alimony Tour to Cape Town!

Posted on by

John Cleese.

We all know him as Basil from the famous British sitcom “Fawlty Towers”, produced by BBC Television and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975.

We also loved him for his role as a member of Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus and four Monty Python Films: And Now for Something Completely Different, Holy Grail, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.

He describes himself as a “British Writer, Actor and Tall Person” on his blog and of course many of us remember his witty British humour gracing our very own South African film, Spud.

He’s done it all – radio, television and film; including his roles in two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films and three Shrek films.

Basically, he’s a legend.

And just one week before his 72nd birthday, he is performing stand-up comedy in South Africa!

Brilliant.

He performs at the Cape Town International Convention Centre tonight, as well as over the weekend (22-23rd Oct)!

He is in Johannesburg from the 25th-30th of October.

Xxxx

Filming The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town for Skybok

Posted on by

I laughed yesterday when I was told; “You’re such a Blogger – you take photos of everything!”

Hehe

Ummm… Guilty as charged!

How can you not when you see awesome things like this –

Granted, my brother took these pics, but still!

Doing a video profile for my business Skybok at The Two Oceans Aquarium here in Cape Town was so much fun.

It’s at the V & A Waterfront.

I think the last time I went to the aquarium was when I was, like, 10.

And guess what?

Fishies still hold a lot of appeal for me!

You walk in and you’re immediately faced with what are known as a The Indian Ocean and The Atlantic Ocean Galleries.

Massive tanks illuminated with different colours; the idea is that you can see what creatures lurk in which ocean.

It’s seriously cool.

But not as cool as the penguins.

No, the penguins take the cake.

While shooting the galleries, I was told to ‘stand back’ by a staff member so that the penguins could ‘get past’…

Turning around, I was immediately greeted with a colony of them walking through the crowd as if it was just the biggest non-event in the world.

Rockhopper Penguins

I  saw people around us literally standing aside and apologizing to the penguins for blocking their way!

Rockhopper Penguins

I think it’s that they feed at a certain time every day, so we see them as they’re on their way back home to get food after swimming.

It’s totally cute.

Off to get lunch

What’s not cute are the sharks.

There’s a huge exhibit called the ‘I & J Predator Exhibit’ where you can check out the famous ragged-tooth sharks, as well as the turtles they seem to be chilling in the same tank with.

There is also a massive ‘Kelp Forest’ exhibit (seaweed)

Next are the frogs; there’s a fabulous exhibit called ‘Frogs: Beyond the Pond’ and there is also a space for a puppet show for the kids! Needless to say, it features singing and dancing froggies which I was totally spellbound by :)

There is an awesome children’s centre for kids – the Afrisam Children’s Centre.

Here, puppet shows, arts and crafts, snacks and relaxing are the order of the day.

Bonus for parents.

What I loved about the Aquarium is that you can actually have an event there in amongst the tanks.

They will set the scene with tables and chairs so that you can have your birthday party, cocktail function or corporate affair there.

There’s something I didn’t know!



They even go so far as to advertise that you have your wedding there! (hey, if sharks don’t scare you enough to behave nothing will)

I also love souvenirs.

There’s a shop outside where you can buy things; little penguin key rings, bright pens with fins on the end, t-shirts saying “I heart The Aquarium” (the kind you always regret buying afterwards)

-       It’s perfect! :)

Go to their website to check out more - http://www.aquarium.co.za/

Beyond the Border: Cape Town Actress Finds Wings & Soars to Hollywood

Posted on by

Ok…so own up… who thought it wasn’t possible?

Other than the miracle that was Charlize, many have come to believe that making it in Hollywood is near damn impossible for South Africans like us.

Apart from the Green Card mission, it’s the agent, it’s the accent, it’s the living expenses and it’s the sheer darn courage to keep going that needs to be mastered!

Many would rather just throw in the towel.

Not this girl.

This chick decided three years ago she would move to America and take on the scene.

She moved to New Zealand in 1999 with her family and like many beautiful women, she first tried her hand at modelling until realising it was feature films in Hollywood she wanted to do.

She relocated to Los Angeles and has since been actively going for it.

From what I understand, she is based in both Auckland, New Zealand, and Los Angeles, United States.

And guess what? She grew up in Athlone!

It seems her first significant acting role was in the New Zealand television series Diplomatic Immunity.

And for those of you who loved the Spartacus series? She’s done it!

Her role as the slave girl Naevia in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand led to a part in the Spartacus ‘Prequel’ Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

She’s done quite a few things since then; including a guest appearance in what is actually one of my favourite series… Legend of the Seeker.

It was filmed in New Zealand in 2009 and she plays ‘Sister Thea’.

She’s also landed guest performances in CSI: NY Smooth Criminal and Food for Thought, as ‘Camille Jordanson’, and in the hit series Chuck, as ‘Fatima Tazi’.

Her latest conquests include a film called Drift, where she plays a Hawaiian surfer girl Lani, the object of affection in a love triangle between two brothers…

…And The Asylum’s new horror-movie Zombie Apocalypse.

In this picture she is seen slaughtering the undead with a Katana sword on the streets of Los Angeles -

Her role as Lani in Drift  is her first feature lead role in a Hollywood film.

She attended Gardens Commercial High and Pinelands High School.

On her being cast in the role, she says said she doesn’t really see Drift as “a big Hollywood role”, but feels privileged to work with an esteemed cast.

This month she will also be seen in US television film The Last Stand.

On missing South Africa, she says: “There is a cultural vibe about my home town that I miss so much – the people, the sense of humour and the lekker seafood. It’s time for a visit, I think.”

Now how’s that for an inspiring story?

Xxxx

Guet Going!

Posted on by

Tonight multi-Grammy Award winning David Guetta is rocking Cape Town, South Africa.

I am playing his tunes in my earphones all day today – can’t get enough of him!


Many people will tell you he is one their favourite House DJs, as he has some of the best beats of the year.

He is always teaming up with the hottest artists and puts out incredible pump up and dance songs.

For a night on the jol, he is your guy!


He’s playing at the St Yves Music Festival. And well-known 5FM DJ Poppy is driving all the stage action – lucky girl!

Guetta will be live on stage along with AKON who was in part responsible for one of my favourite songs, “Sexy Bitch”.

Guetta’s brand new album is called ‘Nothing But The Beat’.

There are supporting acts which include two renowned US DJs who are always ranked amongst the Top 25 American DJs – Joe Bermudez and DJ Jenny LaFemme.

Jax Panik is also in the line-up tonight as the openers along with the talented DJ Dean Fuel :)

R5 from every ticket that was sold will be donated to The Trust – which represents various charitable organizations in Southern Africa.

Some of his best songs ever include:

1. Sexy Bitch

2. When Love Takes Over

3. Gettin’ Over You

4. Memories

5.On The Dancefloor

6. Love is Gone

7. World Is Mine

8. I Wanna Go Crazy

9. Club Can’t Handle Me

10. One Love

Here is the video of my best :)

Xxxx

How do you scream in a British accent??

Posted on by

Today I auditioned for a slasher film.

Really, Seriously? – Does this kind of thing still tickle the fancy of film buffs everywhere? That was so 90’s…

According to Wikipedia, this is the definition of a slasher movie:

“A slasher film is a type of horror film typically involving a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner, often with a cutting tool such as a knife or axe.”

Hmmm. Yes, very appealing.

Let me fill you in on a quick history of Slasher films.

#1 The Psycho Age 1960-1978.

Apparently this is attributed to the Hitchcock classic Psycho; The father of all slasher movies.

#2 The Halloween Age 1978-1996.

This age focused primarily on two things: The Unstoppable Killer Movies and the Holiday Slashers.

#3 The Scream Age 1996-present.

Basically people lost interest in the Slasher genre and Scream kick-started it again.

As I was paging through some movie posters, I had a good laugh at this one:

Apparently Halloween was the first major box office success in the genre.

It’s tagline? “The Night HE came home…”

One could laugh out loud at such a genre, but it does have commercial value — slasher villains have been such popular characters since the 1980s that merchandise such as the Jason model kit (Jason from Friday the 13th), are common.

What is it with society’s fascination with slasher movies?

Is there something enticing about the sound of the local neighbourhood babe being mercilessly hacked by an angry freak? (Although after the recent Blackberry FAIL I could identify with him!!)

Oh, my bad, either that or she is in fact the freak herself…

I auditioned for the lead.

I had to do the whole thing in a British accent which was fun!

I think mine’s pretty good. Bold statement, I know.

Anyway, hold thumbs for me…..

(I wanna get ‘slashed’! hahahaha)

Xxxx

For more info on slasher films check out this link:

http://lordnasebyblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/three-ages-of-slasher-film-or-slasher.html