Production Paradise

Production Paradise is delighted to bring you the launch issue of SHOWCASE CAPE TOWN, containing the latest visual media industry news from one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Watch out for the brand new Cape Town Directory, which will be added to our other city directories at www.productionparadise.com in June.

Forward planning for your diaries: Come and enjoy some of Cape Town's top musical talent in the warmth and comfort of the beautiful Silvertree Restaurant at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden this winter. A new season of Kirstenbosch Winter Warmer concerts begins at the garden's Silvertree Restaurant on Sunday 7 May and runs until Sunday 29 October.

The Cape Town World Cinema Festival runs 11-20 November. More details at www.sithengi.co.za 

Our cover photo shows South African model Landi Swanepol [Ice Models] recreating the famous scene from Federico Fellini's 1960 masterpiece La Dolce Vita. The Peroni Nastro Azzurro campaign was shot last November in Rome and South Africa by photographer Tom Stoddart. You can also watch the tv commercial here ...

cpt photography/photo agents: SHINE

The Shine Group represents models, photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, fashion and food stylists and characters in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

When asked what is important to them, they say that they value “change, respect, integrity, love, growth, excellence, innovation, people and service”.

Shine work with Zenith, Wooltru, Markham, Levi’s, Adidas, Cosmo, Marie Claire and other well-known magazines and brands in South Africa.

cpt photography/photo agents: INFIDELS

Established in 1996, Infidels represents photographers, stylists and hair and make-up artists worldwide.

Local talent photographer Crispian Plunkett shot his Levi’s Free to Move campaign for Singapore. He is currently shooting for Mini Cooper Germany. Photographer Pieter Hugo recently won first prize in the portraits category of the 2006 World Press Photo, his work has also been featured on Nick Knight's Show Studio and in Exit Magazine. He is currently shooting in the Amazon for Colors Magazine. Candy Kennedy has been shooting various campaigns in Dubai since the release of her American Express campaign and Hendrik Nennecke shot a Nike campaign for Europe. Stephen Greeff’s Specsavers UK campaign is currently up on billboards in London. Sarah Nankin’s Indigo Cosmetics shoot for their new Soon fragrance is currently up in stores and in mags. Sven Jacobsen recently shot for Champion Europe. Markus von Ackermann ex Wallpaper fashion editor recently joined infidels as a stylist.

Infidels shot various campaigns for prestigious clients such as Adidas Worldwide, T Mobile, Specsavers UK, American Express, R1 Imperial Tobacco, Nokia, Levi’s Asia and many more.

All their artists can be viewed at the Infidels website.

cpt photography/photo agents: HURRICANES PHOTOGRAPHERS AGENCY

Hurricanes, a Cape Town based company, represents some of South Africa’s finest photographers for the local and international market.

Hurricanes was launched with an extensive knowledge of photography, a firm understanding of clients’ needs, and great and committed photographers.

Clients have come from the fashion, advertising, automobile, tobacco and beverages sectors.

For Hurricanes, the most important aspect has always been about the “right photographer for the job”.

cpt production/commercial production: MOONLIGHTING

Moonlighting celebrated their 800^th commercial last October kick-starting a season of commercials from all over the world: Kelloggs, Tchibo, RAC, Nivea, Hyundai, Telefonica, Nokia, Nissan, O2, T-mobile, HSBC and more.

On the films side they are providing production services on Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond for Warner Brothers, starring Leonardo di Caprio and are co-producers on The Flood alongside Power (UK) and Muse Entertainment Enterprises (Canada).

Moonlighting is ever looking to improve what they do. At home, they have developed state-of-the-art mobile wireless for connectivity on set. And beyond, they can now offer more location and production options with offices in Chile and Romania.

cpt production/photo production: NORTH SOUTH PRODUCTIONS

After 11 years of consistent growth, North South Productions still services long-standing clients such as C&A, Nivea, Rolf Benz and Tchibo.

The company has just finished its most successful season to date with additional projects for Deutsche Bank, BP, Wempe, Alete, T-Mobile, Marie Claire France, Junior and TUI, among others.

Fluent in German, French and English, with a good knowledge of the overseas advertising market, North South Productions say that they are “technically equipped to handle any level of still production successfully within budget”.

As a special project, they produced the book 'Ongwe', photographed and published by Thomas Kettner, a modern fairytale involving the Himba Tribe in Northern Namibia - www.ongwe.de.

cpt production/commercial production: EUROCONNECTION SOUTH AFRICA

cpt production/photo production: CAPE TOWN PRODUCTIONS

Cape Town Productions celebrated its 18^th consecutive year of production in fine style, with more than 80 productions successfully handled and new challenges met so far this season.

Clients include: BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Citroen, Renault, Volvo, Audi, Toyota, Diba, Freemans, Littlewoods, Nokia, Belmondo Shoes, Boden, Kaleidoscope, Grattans, Empire, Gray & Osbourne, Hobbs, Marks & Spencer, Alexon and Otto.

The company’s moving camera division did well in its trial year, with six in-store videos being shot, for Volvo and Woolworths, among others.

They have also moved into digital, with three CGI shoots, and they are actively pursuing the opening of post production facilities in Cape Town…. More details to follow.

cpt production/photo production: VIAGGI INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS

From little fishermen’s villages in Greece to the sweeping dunes of the Namib desert, the cityscapes of Barcelona, the white beaches of Cape Town, or the charm of the South of France, VIP offers a range of solutions depending on clients’ layouts and production requirements.

VIP’s “cosmopolitan staff members” mean that communications can be conducted in English, German, French, Italian and Greek, to help facilitate their customers’ working experience.

cpt production/photo production: GAVIN SCHNEIDER PRODUCTIONS

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra, when relocating an elephant for the Olympus campaign at the request of three creative directors from Springer Jacoby Holland. The same applies when trying to group 11 white horses in the same area on a 4 km stretch of beach - not an easy task.“

With this description, you get a feel for the kind of interesting projects that Gavin Schneider Productions handle.

They are proud to be associated with the AMFAR shoot featuring Nelson Mandela with Rolling Stone/Vanity Fair photographer Mark Seligar.

Also shown here, is an image from Nick Clements’ latest publication “Simulacra”, featuring 1950s style photos shot in Cape Town.

cpt talent/model agencies: ICE MODELS

cpt talent/model agencies: THREE D MODEL AGENCY

3D Models modestly describe themselves as “a young vibrant and exciting new international model agency that is setting new standards for the rest to follow.” They have a reputation for good professional service on both the local and international modelling stage. And their strong ties to the international and Italian fashion scenes gives them a competitive edge.

3D models have appeared on the cover of fashion magazines in many countries, and all over the world in print, TV and Internet campaigns.

Model Lieschen Botes shot for the FHM cover and models Winter Lunde and Karolina were featured in the latest Max Mara campaign.

cpt talent/model agencies: OUTLAWS MODEL AGENCY

From Durban to India to "Hollywood"...CT- based Candice Boucher recently flew to Mumbai to shoot the music video for Indian singer Himesh Reshammiya. She impressed the artist so much that he decided to take her on his USA tour, where she will be participating in opening his shows.

Michelle Cowley - one of Outlaws’ top local girls, as the newly shot LUX ad shows - is in Germany calling on her catalogue clients, having shot the new cover of South African Shape.

Sports Illustrated regular Dominique Piek recently launched Janet Reager's Lingerie line in South Africa. She leaves in June for IMG NY.

Blue-eyed beauty Lize E, South Africa's first Glamour cover-girl, has become a favourite with international magazines, having shot covers for Grazia and Freundin.

cpt talent/artists & stylists: MONOPOLE HAIR & MAKE UP + STYLING AGENCY

cpt hotel/hotels: LES CASCADES

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.

cpt locations/lofts and houses: BOUTIQUE MANOLO

Boutique Manolo offers a small, luxury, inner-city oasis with sweeping views over Table Mountain and Cape Town.

This design guesthouse offers four deluxe suites and one penthouse. Each one individually designed with white as an overall theme, the rooms capture the essence of style and elegance and are equipped with luxury products only.

With either private patios or balconies, the Zen-inspired suites have been designed for lifestyle and comfort.

Features include: sundecks, red pool, wireless internet and friendly service.

cpt hotel/hotels: METROPOLE

“Noble Georgian authenticity meets stylish urban luxury” in one of downtown Cape Town's prime locations.

The area features several of the city's nightlife hotspots and is a main meeting ground for young, hip urban dwellers and “those who remain young at heart”.

The decor of this revamped Georgian townhouse provides an old-worldly grace, an impression that is sustained by a lobby that incorporates the oldest functioning elevator in the city.

This is a vibrant hotel that mixes luxurious urban design with a slight retro 60’s touch, in a location that is an obvious choice for the discerning socialite.

cpt hotel/hotels: BRIDGE

The Bridge house is an exclusive and exceptionally private accommodation. 

The hotel is situated in an indigenous garden and has a heated rim flow swimming pool, fireplace and a private chef. Design is contemporary in architectural terms and furnishings

Located at the base of the mountain, this is considered “an amazing retreat”.

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.