Tamika Interviews Justin Munitz

Posted on February 29, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Arriving at Salt Deli in Bantry Bay (a little bit late I must admit), I’m greeted by the charming smile of my next actor… Justin Munitz.

Actor, model and entrepreneur, he has done loads of commercial work and had his first film debut last year. He’s travelled to Paris, London, Berlin and Milan for modelling and studied acting at New York’s famous William Esper Studio. Now actively involved in the film industry here in Cape Town, I met up with him to find out a bit more.

Tamika: So where are you from originally?

Justin: Cape Town.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Justin: Herzilia High.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Justin: I studied Marketing and Economics at UCT for two years and then did four years through Unisa. I finished in 2003.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting, if any?

Justin: I actually first got into the scene through a modelling agency. The first ever modelling agency I belonged to was ‘Goodski’ – for extreme sports. That was my first introduction to TV Commercials. That spawned a haphazard modelling career for years, where I changed agencies a couple of times and travelled around Europe! But there came a time when I realised I started booking more commercial work than print work and it was through the commercials that I realised that acting was what I wanted to do. At 29, I attended the Screen Actor’s Studio here in Cape Town for a year. I also did workshops with Bjorn Steinbach. And I took myself to New York to do their Summer Intensive programme at the William Esper Studio. Along with practical experience, those were the places where I honed my acting skills.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily –acting for theatre or for film?

Justin: I am acting mostly for commercials these days. But of course film and television are what I’m focused on.

Tamika: Name your most recent role – what film was it, when was it and what was your role?

Justin: Ambassador 2, featuring my good friend Siv Ngesi, last year (2011). I played a corrupt businessman involved in illegal ivory poaching. We shot at a game reserve in Pietermaritzburg as well as in Cape Town.

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? If so, what?

Justin: Yes I have. I’ve done mostly car commercials; including for the BMW M3, Opel, Audi and VW. Then there has been for LG here in South Africa and LV Insurance in Europe. And recently there’s been Black Label and Nescafe Gold.

Tamika: What is the most recent you have done?

Justin: A Miller’s commercial.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Justin: Continuing with castings and auditions for film and television. Aside from that, what keeps me most busy is my photography work. I started a business called “#justshootme” and my main niche at the moment is new born babies and events. I have a Facebook page for my photography where people can go check out my work if they like! My website is hellobaby.blogspot.com. Apart from photographing and editing, I’m also a personal trainer – people come to my studio here in Bantry Bay and I do what is known as “High Intensity Interval Training”.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Justin: APM since 2010.

Tamika: Do you also model?

Justin: Yes I still do, with Pure Management.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Justin: Heel Against The Head, starring Bill Flynn and Paul Slabolepszy.

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Justin: Caprice and The Reserve.

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Justin: A sandbag weight to hold down my lighting equipment!

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Justin: Yes I do; an older brother – the best life coach in South Africa.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Justin: Very good. My personal training obviously helps with that.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Justin: In terms of acting, I think the South African industry is in its infancy for film. If it continues at the level it’s going, hopefully in ten years it will have the infrastructure to support my acting goals.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Justin: I can be quite shy.

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Justin: Clanwilliam.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Justin: I plan on getting more involved with charity in 2012.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Justin: I keep a journal and write down every casting I go to and how I felt about it.

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @JustinMunitz.

You can also check him out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/justin.munitz or #justshootme

Xxxx

>>>> The FCM Fashion Party!! <<<<

Posted on February 22, 2012 by tamikadoubell

So the big event right now on everyone’s lips is the up-coming FCM Fashion Party.

In case you didn’t know, ‘FCM’ stands for “Ferial’s Closet Makeover” – a Couture designer label, hot on the South African scene.

All clothes are designed by the talented and sassy Ferial Dawood.

I wrote a blog article about the label not so long ago (see the article HERE).

Taking over the glamorous night life with sexy designs in Cape Town & Johannesburg, it’s been featured in local and international Fashion Shoots, Fashion Shows and Celeb styling.

The show takes place on the 3^rd of March at 21:30 at Club 169 on Long Street and other fashion designers who will be featured are ‘Phi Casa’ and ‘RedBow’.

There’ll be a live performance by New Kids Edition as well as a guest appearance by Taryn-Lee Oliphant before she jets off to New York!

Tickets for the Night are:

R60 Pre sold

R80 at the door

R120 VIP

Goodie bags for first 50 guests!

Prize giveaways!

Drinks on arrival!

Cupcakes!

An event not to be missed, If I were you I’d go buy my tickets…like…NOW

Just e-mail ferial@closetmakeover.co.za or call +27 78 339 3827

-See you there!!

Xxxx

Living in the Height of Luxury Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune!!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Ah, Champagne! The sparkling wine of choice.

It conjures up images of golden bubbles, high-class company and that oh-just-so-happy feeling.

The only problem is that it’s associated with all things expensive and – as a result – we tend to stay away from it.

If we’re looking for a good time, a glass of cheap Sauvignon Blanc is more likely what my friends and I reach for.

As young professionals, we don’t think we can afford to indulge and still have it in the budget to go out and pay for good views, good music and good food on top of it.

Well I don’t think we’re right.

I think we would be surprised at the experience we could get while still sticking to our budgets.

The aim of this blog post is to document the best places in Cape Town to get a good glass of bubbles – a good price which encompasses a great experience.

While doing my research (and not getting totally hammered during it), I visited some of what are regarded as the most ‘expensive’ or ‘best’ restaurants in Cape Town – where we wouldn’t usually set foot for fear of breaking the bank.

I wanted to prove that for students and young professionals – like me and my friends – if you’re looking for a stellar place to enjoy a taste of the good life and lap up some luxury, it really doesn’t have to cost you an arm & a leg.

You can spend the least and actually get the most.

Me likey.

THE TWELVE APOSTLES:

As my first experiment, this location has totally set the standard for the rest.

This is by far a fantastic deal and an experience I recommend to anyone!

With just a R40 glass of champagne, you can enjoy the epic views that their ‘Leopard Lounge’ has to offer, along with a tray of complimentary eats of nuts, olives and roasted treats.

What’s more, is that if you’re there any evening from Monday to Saturday you can catch live music serenading you in the background of the 5-star graded luxury hotel.

Now how’s that for a good deal?

You can come with friends or feel perfectly comfortable coming alone; for instance on a Sunday if you want to sit and plan your week. You will definitely find the inspiration you need!

Overlooking incredible views of the ocean, The Leopard Lounge is a relaxed, cigar-type lounge with giant bronze statues of leopards and animal print couches and carpets.

The live music would be a musician in the corner – pianist, violinist, singer – and if you arrive from 6pm (nowadays, anyway) you can also catch a gorgeous sunset!

THE ONE & ONLY HOTEL:

Compared to The Twelve Apostles, this is not a great deal.

It’s still good, as you get a small bowl of olives with your glass of champagne.

But you’re paying R10 extra for their cheapest glass of bubbles – Graham Beck Brut – and for R55 you don’t really have a great atmosphere.

I went on a Tuesday early evening and you overlook the man-made river built into the hotel.

It is beautiful but inside was quite dead and there’s only so many times you can look at the chandelier.

It’s still nice but for this one, I recommend that you come with someone!

THE RADISSON BLU:

Situated along the waterfront, I can personally vouch for the vibe you get with your R45 glass of Methode Cap Classique Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut!

Overlooking the gorgeous sea, with a buzz of people all around you on any given night (I’ve checked), you can sip on champagne with your friends as pre-drinks before a dinner somewhere or a night out.

You’re guaranteed to meet new people as you order at the bar inside, given the intimate atmosphere in there, which is cool to do while you overlook the ocean and the lights of the Cape Town harbour.

There is plentiful seating but you don’t get nibbles with your champagne. (bummer)

The music in the background makes up for it though, along with the great views and classy crowd!

LA PERLA:

The cheapest glass of Graham Beck Brut is R45 and for that you’ll get a great view of the sunset and background music to get you in the mood.

Located along Beach Road, Seapoint, the sunset is really beautiful from here and it’s a place you would want to come with a group of friends.

No nibbles given with the champagne, but speedy service and a cool spot to lap up some luxury in my opinion!

THE GRAND BEACH CAFE:

One of the best deals by far, this has an ocean view that tops all the rest!

As I sat with my R45 glass of Pongracz Brut, I enjoyed a cool sea breeze coupled with those fans which spray water – which helped ease the intense Cape Town heat.

With upbeat music in the background and a very nice ambience picking up from noon everyday, you can’t help but feel like you’re in Greece or somewhere else along the Mediterranean.

Sights of white yachts fade in and out of view and for R45 you get epic views, music, speedy service, a great party ambience… and a killer backdrop for photographs!

I enjoyed my glass on the deck under shade and then soon made my way over to a giant white couch coupled with purple velvet pillows and a bamboo-style roof.

One can’t help getting swept away as you dip your toes in the sand while watching helicopters and seagulls fly overhead.

Catch a tan too, while you’re at it!

A perfect place for a drink, The Grand Beach Cafe along Granger Bay at the Waterfront wouldn’t be the first venue that my friends and I think of when going out for a nice time… but it should be!

It certainly offers more than most places with your glass of luxury.

THE MOUNT NELSON PLANET BAR:

Sipping on my glass of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut, the Mount Nelson’s Planet Bar was out of world. -Literally

With an astrological theme, planets and stars make up a large portion of the interior design of this spot.

For a R45 glass, it is admittedly quiet during the day.

After 6pm it picks up and you’ll find a livelier crowd around you to get you in the mood.

No nibbles with your drink and no music, regrettably.

But beautiful decor and a pretty view outside during the day; overlooking lush gardens and quaint terrace.

Until my next blog article about living the high life ~~ cheers!

Xxxx

Tamika Interviews Jelena Jablanovic – Winner of the J&B Met’s “Best Designer” Competition

Posted on February 13, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Her famous teacup and saucer headpiece was certainly intriguing.

I attended the J & B Met myself (See my article on it HERE)and even I heard about it via the whispers of my friends at the event this year.

To be honest, the fashions that rock up on the day are the hot topic on everybody’s lips.

Yes, the horses are an ingredient and certainly the bets taking place can be dizzying… but on top of that, each attendee tries to guess who designed what outfit and who they think should win the coveted title of ‘Best Designer’ for the day.

Whether you were watching SABC 3, Top Billing, The Expresso Show, All Access or simply reading the Cape Argus for a recap of the famous horse-racing event, you would have seen the winner, Jelena Jablanovic.

A young and sassy design student, Jelena certainly made herself proud that day with her oufit designed to the theme ‘Made Different’.

Jelena ‘made different’ with a unique idea sparked off by seeing a vintage teacup and saucer one day.

It proved to be the winning ticket for judges, who judged her designer dress and signature accessory as the best over many other contestants who entered.

I met with her at Truth Coffee Bar in Greenpoint for an interview.

Tamika: Where are you from originally?

Jelena: I was born in Johannesburg but I’ve been between Cape Town and Johannesburg my whole life.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Jelena: I went to Milnerton High and I’m now studying my B/A in Fashion at Fedisa Fashion School here in Cape Town. I’m in my final year.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for design, if any?

Jelena: Technically at Fedisa, but I’ve been designing stuff as a passion since I was in grade 5! I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do.

Tamika: Do you have a label? If so, where can we find your clothes?

Jelena: Yes I will soon be coming out with my own label called “Mossolena” – ‘Mosso’ meaning “motion or movement in a direction” in Italian and ‘Lena’ being the end of my name. It will be a swimwear label, very much designed to make women beautiful and accentuate the good parts of the individual’s body. I’m all about making things around me more beautiful. It will be out by the 2012/2013 Summer season. It will be an online store to begin with.

Tamika: Stunning! So what are your influences mainly? What are you inspired by?

Jelena: I’m inspired by life. I have strong influences from architecture and interior design. For my graduate collection this year I am inspired by Playstation and especially the game Assassin’s Creed. The work that gets put into the game and graphics inspires me and I’m going to design my clothing to have a modern day yet historical element. I want my pieces to be avant-garde as a whole but as you strip down the outfits, each piece is a commercial piece of clothing making up the whole.

Tamika: Tell us about the J&B Met win!

Jelena: Well it started out as just a project at Fedisa – for students to design dresses for the Met. We were told they would be judged in a final fashion show at the school and whoever won would be entered into the competition at the Met. I won the competition within the school and so I was entered…. I must say that after seeing the brief ‘Made Different’ I adapted my design slightly to fit the theme. That’s where the teacup and saucer came in as a quirky headpiece! The J & B Met competition is open to any designer, including couples who just happen to come up with a clever outfit. So there was stiff competition and I must say, I didn’t think I was going to win!

Tamika: So what exactly did you win?

Jelena: I won a 3-night stay at the Tinga Game Reserve up in the Kruger National Park. I won Givenchy vouchers to the value of R5 000. And I won loads of girly stuff, including facials, hair products and beauty treatments!

Tamika: Wow! So what’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Jelena: In the pipeline is my Fedisa graduate show. That’s in November. And also on the cards for me is a shoot with renowned South Africa photographer Richard Keppel-Smith. I dabble in styling and art directing, so I’ve worked with some incredible mainstream fashion photographers on commercial shoots. I’ve worked with Kristina Stojkovic in the past and I just find I have a passion for being involved in shoots – whether for advertising, potraits or editorials – and it’s a sphere of my life I see myself developing this year. Also in the pipeline is continuing my work at Scalini – an Italian Fashion House in the Cape Quarter and Jarvis Street.

Tamika: What designer do you look up to?

Jelena: Haldane Martin, a local designer in Contemporary South African Furniture Design.

Tamika: Are you planning on staying in South Africa?

Jelena: Yes I am! There is still so much to experience here. I would, of course, love to travel and look into internships overseas… But it would be with the goal of bringing what I learn over there back here.

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Jelena: I like Jade, The Fez, Trinity and The Reserve!

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Jelena: A sewing machine! Oh, and my visual diary.

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Jelena: Yes, a younger sister and brother.

Tamika: What does your family do?

Jelena: My parents are pitbosses at The GrandWest Casino. And my dad also has an online gambling business.

Tamika: What’s a typical day for you?

Jelena: Ha! That would be varisty, varisty, varsity! Classes and working on up-coming assignments. I like to walk my dogs when I have time in the day and also design for my Swimwear label.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Jelena: Still doing what I love; making things beautiful. I would like to have my own store and be a successful art director.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Jelena: My animals are my babies!!

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Jelena: The promenade along Mouille Point.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Jelena: I work for the SPCA when I can and I also volunteer at a children’s creche.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you’ve finished your latest work/creation?

Jelena: Ummm…. “You can go to sleep now!!”

Xxxx

Tamika Interviews Richard Lothian

Posted on February 10, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Arriving at Newport Market & Deli in Mouille Point, Cape Town, I can’t miss the big smile & exuberant energy from an old friend who is now making waves in the Cape Town film industry!

Approachable and friendly, Richard greets me and we waste no time before getting down to blog business

Tamika: So where are you from originally?

Richard: I’m originally from Natal…. But I’ve lived in every province in South Africa in the last 12 years! Now I find myself here, living near Rafikis….. aww yeah!

Tamika: Ha! Where did you go to school?

Richard: I went to Camps Bay High for a while and ended up matriculating at Boston House College.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Richard: I spent three months travelling around Europe. Then I came back here and was managing a bar for about a year. It was called ‘Velvet Lounge’. I did that for a while until I decided that I wanted to be an actor.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting? And do you have training for any other skills?

Richard: Well since primary school I was always in every school play! I did 3 years at City Varsity and graduated with a Higher Diploma in Acting in 2006. After that, I focused on Stunt work at “DSS” – Dimensional Stunt School. That was 4 months. I graduated in 2007 and after that I continued drilling myself in martial arts training and honing my skills. I joined a circus school in Mowbray for 6 months and specialised in silks and aerial acrobats. Oh, and the trapeze! At the circus school I trained with a guy named Keith Anderson who all but brought the circus to SA. After that I was employed by Circus Sideshow – my first professional stage production. That was 3 weeks of rehearsals and 1 month at the Artscape.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily –acting for theatre or for film?

Richard: I was trained in film and I love the medium. It’s very natural and real. But I also love the theatre. I would recommend that any actor gets involved in the theatre at some stage of his career!

Tamika: Name some of your most memorable roles.

Richard: Well, a recent film I did in 2011 stands out for me. It was a re-enactment of Gettysburg, produced by Riddley Scott and directed by Adrian Moat. I had a lead role in that, ‘Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Dawes’. It was shot here in Cape Town near Stellenbosch. Safehouse last year was also a great film to be part of! It wasn’t a big role but it was great to be on set. A play I did in 2009 was also an unforgettable experience – It was The Jungle Book and I played ‘Baloo’. It was at Canal Walk Shopping Centre. Finally, a musical I was in during 2010, called Assassins, was a memorable experience for me. It was a musical by Steven Sondheim and was directed by Fred Abrahamse. I played ‘John Hinkley’ and it was to commemorate the opening of The New Space Theatre here in Cape Town.

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? If so, what?

Richard: Yes I have. A few that come to mind are ones I did for the Homemaker’s Expo, Hi-Q, Miller’s, KFC – where I got slapped in the face repeatedly – and a Weetabix ad where I spent 3 days dressed as a giant peanut!

Tamika: Haha! Have you won any awards?

Richard: Yes I have. I graduated top in my class at City Varsity and won the award for ‘Most Promising Actor’.

Tamika: What is the most recent you have done?

Richard: A Miller’s Commercial.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Richard: Coming up are 2 theatre productions called Trains. I’ll be playing one of the leads. It’s physical theatre which involves puppetry. They’ll be at Theatre In The District in District Six. Also, a kid’s show is in the pipeline for me. It’s called Cooked and it’s an incredibly fun, messy show! That will be at the Kalk Bay Theatre before we take it to the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. Other than that, continuing my work as a casting director. I’m mainly at Catalyst Casting these days. I’m between there and Loop Street.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Richard: APM.

Tamika: Do you also model?

Richard: No.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Richard: District 9 and Skeem.

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Richard: Rafikis!!

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Richard: My surf board and about 12 changes of clothes!

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Richard: Yes I do; a younger sister.

Tamika: What does your family do?

Richard: My father is an entrepreneur – at the moment he teaches English to French students online. And my mother is involved with the Education Department.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Richard: I definitely try and surf at least twice a week. And I also love Parkour – free running. It works well for me with my gymnastics background.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Richard: Having made some kind of an impact or change in the South African film industry. I believe we are part of a generation of young future talent………….. And if I end up being a household name, that’s fine also!

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Richard: I just about never stop singing. And I can Beat Box like a demon!

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Richard: A quiet quarry just at the top of Vredehoek where I can go to sit and think.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Richard: Yes. Although nothing through any groups. I used to work with an organisation called ‘Hope’ and quite recently, a group called ‘The Up’ – they are an upliftment group for kids in hospices, mainly. I like spreading hope and smiles.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Richard: To take the lessons from any mistakes I made forward, into the next audition.

Check Richard out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=596170832

Xxxx

The J&B Met & Life in The Fast Lane!!!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Okay so the last 2 weeks have been manic.

I drove back from my hometown Port Elizabeth in that time and seem to have been running around since then!

Something I went to last weekend which was a cool event here in Cape Town was called the J & B Met.

It’s a horse-racing event where gambling and fashion meet, basically

There are hundreds of people who attend, to show off innovative garments and to place bets on the horses.

My uncle Pierre Strydom was one of the jockeys.

He did very well on the day – he placed in three races and and had one win.

The horse he rides is ‘Gimmethegreenlight’ – number 15 – and he came 3rd in the main race!! So I was VERRRY proud!

It was a super day!

My outifit was given to me by the very popular Longstreet Fashion Boutique

And let me tell you, walking around in those heels was another story! (the price us girls pay…… )

It was a lot of fun!

We arrived after lunch and left at about 7pm.

I made a few bets (it pays to have an uncle in the know) and won! so I walked away with a smile on my face ~

On the work front, lately I’ve been getting bookings for my hands and feet.

Hands – fine.

Feet – awkward.

My modelling agent sent me an e-mail requesting pictures of my feet for a job not so long ago.

There really is no flattering way to photograph one’s feet I don’t think, unless there’s a fine pair of heels on them.

Having done a job already for feet, I can see how it could be ok! (good shoes mandatory)

We’ll see how this one pans out – hope I get to wear some nice shoes like the ones here in this picture!

Hands are a bit better.

I’m doing a job for a SKYY Vodka application on the iPAD where my hands (and voice) will be used for the tuturiol of their new ‘Mix-a-cocktail’ application. Hmmm, sounds fun!

As for my voice, I recently did a radio advert for Axe Deodrant.

I love voice-over work – you sit in a cool booth that’s sound proof and read out the script you’re given.

I had a good laugh at this one because the script was quite steamy and actually saying the lines in my sexiest voice – as they wanted – was totally embarrassing.

The sound engineer kept screaming “I didn’t write this! I swear!”

It was for Axe Deodrant Uruguay so thank goodness my friends won’t have to hear me say that on the radio here:)

One of the lines was;

“Can you imagine how sweaty we could get?”

Ummmm….I will say no more!!!

As you may or may not know, the Axe campaign is “It Will Make Angels Fall”

I read somewhere that this commercial was banned in many countries (including South Africa) because Christians were offended at its satirical nature.

They said that angels aren’t depicted in the Bible as scantily dressed or even female for that matter.

One male Christian viewer wrote in that he was upset by “the suggestion that God’s messengers could literally fall for a man on the basis of his shop-bought fragrance.”

Because of this, the country’s Advertising Standards Authority moved to ban the ad on the presumption that other viewers would also be offended.

“The problem is not so much that angels are used in the commercial, but rather that the angels are seen to forfeit, or perhaps forego their heavenly status for mortal desires,” the ASA ruled.

“This is something that would likely offend Christians in the same manner as it offended the complainant.”