I have to say that I have been presently surprised with the way 2009 has started. In all my 14 years, for the most part January is normally dead quiet and February only marginally better. I have spent most of the first two months of the year flying between Joburg and Cape Town and have been loving it. Cape Town has taken me completely by surprise. I have always loved the city, but never really been too enamoured when it comes to work, mostly because I think I was just intimidated by a town I didn't know. Now that I have started figuring my way around, I'm truly loving it.
January took me down there to edit on set for 2 days and then to offline a Radox commercial for Cab Films. I was lucky enough to fit in a bit of time to see my best friend, who has relocated (clever girl) and visit a couple of wine farms. Would I have truly lived up to my reputation, if I hadn't done that? I'm NOT disclosing how many cases of wine I came back with!
February took me back there to online Radox, and to carry on editing a coke commcercial (very much shot here, infact in Boksburg, where I can report that the mullet is alive and well), also shot by CAB. I had a huge amount of fun editing this and it really pushed mine and the Avid's compositing skills!
Editing on set is a newish experience for me, and whilst I initally found it intimidating (all those people running around with heavy equipment KNOWING exactly what they are doing can be quite scary for a newcomer to that side of the industry), but now I feel like part of a well oiled machine. And I love every minute of it.
Despite the dire warning's of a world in recession, I am really looking forward to this year. We might all have to relook at our budgets and come together to make our films, but hopefully if we band together, our films will still be made.
For now, I'm enjoying some down time in Johannesburg and looking forward to what March holds!