Cape Town Productions, aka CTPROD, has been supporting international photo and film productions in South Africa for many years, continuously evolving alongside the changing demands of the industry. Cape Town in particular still offers an extraordinary range of possibilities: urban locations, spectacular coastlines, mountains and wide-open landscapes are often just a short drive apart – an advantage that has been attracting international clients and creatives for years.

The past season once again brought a mix of long-standing partners and new clients to South Africa for CTPROD, with productions including Kia, Volkswagen, several adidas shoots, Karl Lagerfeld and Intersport.

But the industry is changing. Automotive productions work differently today than they did just a few years ago, technology is reshaping production workflows, and more sustainable ways of working are becoming increasingly important. CTPROD is responding to these changes, among other things, with its own production app, designed to make communication and organization throughout a production easier and more streamlined.

For GoSee, Desmari Mills of Cape Town Productions talks about how the company has evolved, the challenges of producing during Cape Town’s busy summer season, working with international clients, hidden location gems – and why, for CTPROD, evolving is ultimately about building on what is already there.

CTPROD has been around for many years and has seen quite a few changes in the production business. How has the company evolved – and what has changed most in the way you work today?

We have definitely evolved over the years. Automotive shoots, for example, look very different today compared to a few years ago. But that is the beauty of time and why we love the challenge of evolving with the industry. It forces us to adapt, find new ways of working and continue to do so excellently. For us, evolving doesn’t mean losing what makes us who we are – it means building on it and continuing to raise the bar.

What are currently the biggest opportunities – and challenges – when producing internationally in South Africa?

Producing in South Africa, particularly through the Cape Town summer season, comes with its own set of challenges, but we love it. The Cape Town CBD, for example, is not that big, and there is a huge influx of tourists coupled with the school summer holidays and Christmas time. The beaches are full and there is a lot happening, particularly from a permitting point of view.

Locations can require complex logistics, and every production comes with its own moving parts. At the same time, South Africa offers incredible diversity in landscapes, locations, talent and crew, which gives us the opportunity to create work that feels truly unique. We are very used to thinking on our feet, finding solutions and adapting quickly. Ultimately, those challenges are part of what makes producing here so exciting.

Why do international clients choose CTPROD – what do you think makes the difference?

From the very beginning, we have always been here to serve our clients and creatives. We want to build long-standing relationships and become a production partner they know they can trust. For us, it is about more than simply delivering a shoot. We want to see the final product and have the client say, “That is why we chose Cape Town Productions.” We like to set ourselves apart through the way we work, the relationships we build and, ultimately, by delivering the very best production possible.

Looking back at the past season, which productions particularly stood out for you?

This past season saw a great mix of returning clients alongside some exciting new ones – and we always welcome both. Some standout productions included Kia, Volkswagen, numerous adidas productions, Karl Lagerfeld and Intersport.

Have you introduced any new services or technologies recently? And how important has sustainability become in production?

We firmly believe in adapting as the industry, technology and the way we work continue to evolve. Last year, we launched our very own production app, designed to make accessing and managing production communications easier and more streamlined. It has been well received by our clients and has become a valuable part of how we run productions. Sustainability is also something we are very passionate about. We continuously look at how we can make our productions as sustainable as possible, from planning and logistics through to what happens on set – it all adds to our carbon footprint. We believe it is our responsibility to keep looking for better and more considered ways of producing.

You know Cape Town and South Africa inside out. What are some of your favourite locations – including perhaps a few hidden gems?

One of the things we love most about producing in South Africa is the sheer variety of locations available to us. Cape Town and the surrounding areas offer an incredible mix, from beaches and mountains to city streets, open landscapes and more unexpected locations. We also love discovering the lesser-known spots. Some of our favourite locations aren’t necessarily the obvious ones, but places that offer something different and give a production its own character. There is always another hidden gem to discover, which keeps location scouting exciting season after season.

And finally – what’s next for CTPROD?

It is important to continue evolving as the industry does, while staying true to the core beliefs that have always shaped CTPROD. We will keep delivering the best productions every season, continue building long-standing relationships with our clients and creatives, embrace new opportunities and welcome in the new. Ultimately, what’s next is about continuing to grow, adapt and push ourselves without ever losing sight of what we have always stood for.

The CTPROD team will be happy to put together a tailored proposal for your next production – with exciting locations, experienced crews and the special light of South Africa. Here on GoSee, we present a selection of recent work by CTPROD. Many more productions and behind-the-scenes insights can be found on the new Cape Town Productions website: www.ctprod.co.za