Cape Town Productions, kurz CTPROD, begleitet internationale Foto- und Filmproduktionen in Südafrika und hat sich über die Jahre gemeinsam mit den Anforderungen der Branche kontinuierlich weiterentwickelt. Gerade Cape Town bietet dabei immer noch eine außergewöhnliche Bandbreite: urbane Locations, spektakuläre Küsten, Berge und offene Landschaften liegen oft nur kurze Wege voneinander entfernt – ein Standortvorteil, der internationale Kunden und Kreative seit Jahren anzieht.
Die vergangene Saison brachte für CTPROD erneut eine Mischung aus langjährigen Partnern und neuen Kunden nach Südafrika. Zu den Produktionen gehörten unter anderem Kia, Volkswagen, mehrere adidas-Shootings, Karl Lagerfeld und Intersport.
Doch die Bedingungen verändern sich. Automotive-Produktionen funktionieren heute anders als noch vor wenigen Jahren, Technologie verändert Produktionsabläufe, und gleichzeitig gewinnen nachhaltigere Prozesse an Bedeutung. CTPROD reagiert darauf u.a. mit einer eigenen Production App, die Kommunikation und Organisation während der Produktion vereinfachen soll.
Für GoSee spricht Desmari Mills von Cape Town Productions über die Entwicklung des Unternehmens, die Herausforderungen einer Produktion während der Hochsaison in Cape Town, die Zusammenarbeit mit internationalen Kunden, versteckte Location Gems und darüber, warum Veränderung für CTPROD vor allem bedeutet, auf dem Bestehenden aufzubauen.
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.
Gerne erarbeitet dir das CTPROD Team einen individuellen Vorschlag für deine nächste Produktion – mit spannenden Locations, erfahrenen Crews und dem besonderen Licht Südafrikas. Anbei zeigen wir dir einige aktuelle Arbeiten von CTPROD. Viele weitere Produktionen sowie Behind-the-Scenes-Einblicke gibt es auf der neuen Website von Cape Town Productions: www.ctprod.co.za
