How did you get into music videos?
Music videos combine two of my greatest passions; music and film. Getting involved in them seemed like a no brainer. How I did this was through sheer perseverance!
What was the best location that you have directed a video at?
The best location I have directed at would be Erasmus House and Melrose House for Push Me to the Floor. The most interesting location I have produced at would be on a 747 doing parabolic arcs to achieve weightlessness.
What would you say to people wanting to get into this industry?
Think creatively with concepts and budgets! It is also best to be able to do more than one discipline i.e. Directing, Producing, Editing, Shooting as the Hollywood Structure is very expensive.
Where can we go to watch other videos directed by you?
www.youtube.com/user/EscapeArtistFilms
Do you enjoy the spooky Halloween time of year and what do you do to celebrate?
I like to make a human sacrifice (me) to the gods of Chocolate!
Do you believe in ghosts and why.
No, I would have thought there were better things to do when you’re dead.
Have you seen a ghost?
Other than on acid, no.
How many videos have you directed for the Parlotones?
Just the one – but we have an exciting concept in the pipelines for something else from Stardust Galaxies…
What is it like working with the Parlotones?
They guys are very chilled and relaxed, but not afraid to work hard and get their hands dirty.
And what do you like about them?
Their honesty and their commitment – it’s not nearly as glamorous as it may seem!
Do they get involved in the creative side of shooting a video or do they just follow your direction?
They do what they do well (music), and leave the rest up to others.
Where was the ”Push me to the floor” Parlotones music video shot?
It was shot in 2 locations over 2 days; Erasmus House in Pretoria (A very old and beautiful Victorian Art Deco house, which served as, among other scenes, the exterior of the house). The other was Melrose House in Pretoria, which was where the treaty of Vereeniging that ended the South African War was signed.
Let us know a bit about the music video? Where we can view it and what you enjoyed about shooting it.
It can be viewed along with other work of mine at . The whole experience of shooting the video was chaotic. The concept was too big for the budget, and the schedule was too short for what we needed to get through – it was only a success because of the commitment and dedication of everyone involved. It was incredible to be a part of a team of people all working together to make something which ultimately became greater than the sum of its parts. It was truly an honour to work on this project with the team; Garreth Fradgley (DoP), Tamara Osso (Art Director) and her team and Tandi Meikle (Actress and Wardrobe) deserve the credit as much as I do!
What did you think of the castle, was it haunted and did you see any ghosts?
Erasmus castle is an enchanting place; beautiful and full of history. It is not a huge stretch of the imagination to “feel” the people who built it and lived there while you are walking around it.
