Nothing was going to top that in excitement, but as you will see from the pictures below it was still a very enjoyable shoot.

We welcomed back Richard and got to meet Kate Bush (no relation) and Fredrik Nordbeck, who continues the Nordic traditions of affability, talent and good looks in one package.

Karlie produced the job with effortless skill and we wrapped well within schedule, allowing everyone to indulge in a little enjoyment of Cape Town and its surrounding beauty.

Here are some shots (Richard gets all the credit for these amazing shots)

Hmmm, this outdoors spot is not inspiring enough for the PPM, let's go to...

...a mountain!

Your classic movie set setup.

Edith spying in the pantry

Outside lighting

Cape Town, place of contrasts...

not a breath of wind

We also got to meet Tony, one of the nicest blokes that we have ever worked with, as well as Beate, Heike and Richard “What a lovely holiday” the photographic assistant.

A long dinner was had at The Bungalow, which is fast becoming a new favourite of ours, and everybody bonded over stories and Iona Sauvignon Blanc .

Alan G, the Gatehouse Producer, made sure everything went swimmingly and it was with regret that we bid them all farewell at breakfast at the Nellie.

Tony, who looks nothing like Lee Evans

Stephanie and Tony

First of all the sensor is brilliant with incredibly high ISO performance and no need to run a debayering algorithm on it (so no typical clothing pattern issues that you find in digital cameras). Top class accessories ready to go and EF mount primes from Canon (if you go with the EF mount, other option being the PL mount).

The output is 4:2:2 XF codec to a compact flash memory card, which allows you to do the Arri Alexa trick of “plug and edit” after shooting.

Proof of all of this is in the pudding, this is the unofficial camera test shoot…

Hopefully we’ll see it soon in South Africa…

To make sure that we are in peak physical condition for what will be a long shoot, we have installed a new diet regime at the office. A while ago we decided that since we are a boutique company in the Cape, we should try and support other boutique companies in the Cape. From all the stuff in our gift-packs, to office stationery suppliers we are streamlining to make sure that we are supporting the little guy.

Here are some pictures of Maynu and Torben tucking in…

To this end we had a “gatsby friday”. For those not from Cape Town or not in the know, a Gatsby is a Cape original. It’s designed to keep the calories up

Gatsby magic

Maynu munching

It is with great happiness that we can announce this, as Torben is one of the best producers ever and all who work with him are amazed at his calm demeanor in the face of insurmountable odds and his ability to work under pressure.

He now has the key to the executive washroom and a nameplate on his parking spot.

Nicely done Snorris! We love the versatility displayed by the Snorris for each of these spots.

wheee

In the last couple of days the Rand has taken a serious dive against major currencies. Against the US dollar it has gone from around the R7 to $1 mark to the R8,30 to $1 mark. This represents a significant saving to productions wanting to come to South Africa. Your South African production budget just got 14% cheaper. Great news in anyone’s book.

Email Bev or Torben now to get a bid on your job.

Zach taking a call during a break in shooting

It’s a beautiful story and beautifully shot. Well done to all

It’s the story about how Google changes lives every day. A farmer in rural Kenya uses Google to find out why his potato crop is dying…

We flew up to Kenya with key crew to a warm Kenyan greeting by Ginger, of Ginger Ink, our service partner.

Our story takes us to rural Kenya and Samir and his DOP Michael captured it perfectly.

Samir, Michael and John in a field

the post laboratory where the decoding was done (no not really).

too cool for school

Ginger helping to cut the beautiful cake that had been made for us

Torben definitely idling, as to chewing miraa...

John, Torben, Justin, William and Francis all at the equator.

Michael filming Zach Matere, the farmer who Googled

This is my 4th trip there and it was one of the better ones. Not only was attendance double what it was in 2009, but the enthusiasm for the work, the enthusiasm for the rosé and just the sheer enthusiasm for getting together to talk about the advertising industry was infectious and a carnival spirit reigned.

The Palais, the beaches, the Carlton Terrace, The Gutter Bar, The Martinez, the yachts, Le Croisette – they all saw more interesting facial hair, more little black dresses, more hipster hats, more rediculous heels than is quite legal.

Interesting to note was the huge influx from new territories that have had a presence at Cannes over the last couple of years, but this year were noticeably there in numbers. Brazil and India were representing hugely, as well as Poland. This is very good for the future of all our businesses.

Here is a video of The Gutter Bar at 2am Wednesday morning, please note the friendly policeman there to direct traffic around hazardous road objects like drunk creatives…

We had an amazingly successful week, meeting new faces and old and enjoying all the sights, sounds and tastes that the South of France has to offer. Then at the end of it I let it all hang loose and got a bit the worse for wear at the South African party, only to look up and see a line-up of all clients, friends and contacts watching me weave, while battling to stay upright. Paula Mackersey – I’m looking in your direction to apportion blame.

There is even a photo of me doing “Blue Steel” with the guys from AFS…

Magnum...

You can safely say that we will be back in fuller force for Cannes 2012! Allez!