Travelling Circus Shoot #FlashbackFriday

My artsy sis Jacky is a genius behind the photographic lens and every now and again she gets a crazy creative concept for a shoot she just feels like doing for fun. Which in turn allows me to play model and her to build on her varied portfolio for her company The Playroom Photography.

About two years ago she had this vision for images of a travelling 'night' circus with vintage-inspired and textured characters, almost with an editorial feel. So she began strategically planning a whole intricate shoot on location and with a varied cast of characters. Our good friend Marno van der Merwe (who also modelled for the shoot) allowed Jacky to shoot all of her images at their beautiful farm in Rustenburg which really lent itself to incredible backgrounds she had in mind and so many options to choose from. On top of which we got to stay in their gorgeous guest houses on the property! My beautiful friend, Tandi Gavin was highly pregnant with her first little boy at the time and she looked just gorgeous in the soft vintage rose dress my sister chose for her. We rented all of the wardrobe pieces and props from Hollywood Costumes in Krugersdorp before driving through to Rustenburg and it all came together beautifully on the day.

Ferdinand, Tandi, Esta, Marno, Diani

Marno was cast as the 'strong man', hubby Ferdinand had a 'ringmaster' inspired look and my own theme was a mix of trapeze artist meets horse trainer. Even our Golden Retriever boy Eli was featured - not that that's anything new for him, by now he's become a veteran of the stage and screen, lol!

Jacky's friend and model Esta (above) was dressed in a 'lion tamer' inspired look and was absolutely golden to shoot in the afternoon sunlight. In this shot below she is captured with Tandi, where they had tossed glitter into the air to create the hazy golden glow effect. 

We got a little crazy and had lots of fun with it, in the end I think Jacky captured some truly magical shots. The shoot turned into something of a weekend getaway with partners and parents in tow. It was beautiful to shoot on the farm and is still a special memory for me. I even got taught by Marno to properly ride a horse for the first time, no pictures of that I'm afraid. (My very first time on a horse I attempted to gallop and fell so hard onto the beach sand at Noordhoek, but that's a whole other story for another day!)

Hope you enjoyed these images! If you do, go and like the Facebook Page for The Playroom Photography here, and check out more of Jacky Joubert's work.

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Chat soon!

Sterlopers #ActressLife

Last night on kykNET was the debut night of the very first episode of the brand new Afrikaans youth series Sterlopers. Drama and intrigue, artists and relationships, dreams both realised and shattered. I really think this series is going to take the Afrikaans audience by storm and I hope it will be followed with much interest by the industry and with almost religious devotion by its fans.

I do have a certain personal bias, as I have many talented actor friends who are cast in the series; some who are celebrating their debuts along with the series and others who are just building their screen careers from strength to strength. It is so great to see fellow artists receive the opportunity to shine in their own right, doing exactly what they love to do and being celebrated for it. My hope is that this will open even more doors of opportunity for even more artists out there, just aching to be given the chance. 

Let me indulge in boosting my friends a little...

Marno van der Merwe (plays the character of Brad Jooste) - what can I say, he was designed for the screen and I had the privilege of watching him work on the Sterlopers set a few times...  

I am personally a big fan.

Follow him @marnovdmerwe.

Suzzi Swanepoel with this possibly being her first major screen credit, plays the layered Isabel Richter so well. I can't wait to see the rest of her character's story unfold. 

Follow her @SuzziSwanepoel.

Marlee van der Merwe (no relation to Marno) plays the feisty and manipulating Alexia Kriel. She is just gorgeous on camera and portrays the character you just love to hate and secretly envy with relish.

Follow her @MrsMarls. 

Nadia Beukes sinks her teeth into the character of Ingrid Cilliers. It's fabulous to see her in this kind of character that breaks away from her familiar presenting profile and showcases Nadia for the great actress she is. 

Jaco Muller (Henk) who in fact has several screen titles under his belt already, is just such a pleasure to watch. His ease and comfort, his comedic timing and brilliance. I happen to be long-time family friends with Jaco and I've a special sister-like feeling of pride and satisfaction when I see Jaco earn such well deserved roles, praise and recognition. 

Follow him @Jaco_Muller.

Trix Vivier, so beautifully cast in her role as Vicky Ferreira. She's the likable and relatable girl-next-door and another one to keep your eye on. 

Follow her @TrixVivier.

Zak Hendrikz, (only from ep. 3) as the music video director - his subtlety is genius. I wish I could climb into his head and figure out how he does that. Follow him @zakhendrikz.

Franci Swanepoel is magnificent and delightful in the role of Brad Jooste's mom, Lorraine. 

Charlie Bouguenon as the sleazy Joe de Villiers is an absolute scene -stealer. I wish we could see more of him. Follow him @TheCharlieGuy.

Jenna Dunster, whom I so admire for her incredibly strong performance and delightfully quirky character Emma Liebenberg, will undoubtedly become a crowd favourite. 

There are many other names to note and many who will only appear in later scenes... Izak Davel and Andre Swartz, who both just bring a level of professionalism to their work. The talented Edrien Erasmus, Marissa Drummond, Cobus Venter and Lare Birk, will all only appear later on in the season.
So, best you PVR those episodes on Tuesdays at 19.30!

Last night, many of the cast and crew gathered together in anticipation at the home of extraordinary Director Quentin Krog, to watch the first episode together. In my eyes Quentin has managed to truly set new parameters in this field, both with his on-set direction style and in his choices with post production and shooting style. Hats off Quin. Follow him @QuentinKrog. 

It was the best way to watch the first one, with so many individuals who shared a hand in the creation of the series rooting for each other and celebrating its fruition. The evening was filled with laughter and celebration and I feel a sense of pride in having had some small part in it. I was lucky enough to be involved on a creative level together with hubby Ferdinand Gernandt. Our company FADCreationS was responsible for the choreography and some staging of the series and we both thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. 

If you follow the episodes you may even glimpse me a few times as one of the dancers auditioning, rehearsing, shooting music videos and such. It was a crazy fun shoot and I would do it again in a heartbeat! 

Here's lifting a glass to Sterlopers Series 2!

Check out the trailer below for the season now running on kykNET every Tuesday at 19.30. 

Chat soon,