“We set out to send South Africa’s beloved Gusheshe into space,” says Steve Tyler, founder of DreamDrive.co.za. After months of planning and one high-stakes, 2-hour-50-minute flight, Steve and 7 Films overcame freezing temperatures and strict weight limits to pull off this ambitious mission. Here's how.
For the second year running, Checkers, agency 99c, and production company 7 Films have crafted a Christmas campaign that doesn’t just pull at your heartstrings, it tugs with both hands. Following the success of their previous Christmas campaign, this year’s takes to the skies with a Checkers Sixty60 branded aeroplane delivering the gift of togetherness.
What might have been a bleak Christmas for small-town Stanford has transformed into one of the most memorable festive seasons the town’s tourism has ever seen. Agency 99c, production company 7 Films and Checkers wanted to honour this community that stood together during the town’s recent floods by lighting up the main street with a Santa-approved lights display. Bringing a little bit of ‘xtra joy’ back to a community that nearly lost everything ended up having a lasting impact felt throughout the area.
What gives Maxime Davenport her edge is the fact that she didn’t ever take a shortcut to becoming a full-time director. Initially trained as a DOP, Maxime went on to cut her teeth as an editor and has put in her time as a researcher for the top directors in South Africa. She did all this while building up her own director’s reel. With her arsenal of experience, Maxime joins 7 Films as a full-time commercial director drawn to their extensive experience with technical boards, impressive car spots and passion for performance-based storytelling.
Hayden Brown, the fresh face at 7 Films, takes the reins as their new commercials director with a real talent for capturing the essence of the human spirit. His journey from the world of extreme sports, where he excelled as an international downhill mountain bike athlete, to his roles as a cinematographer, editor, and director, laid the foundation for the filmmaker he’s evolved into today. It’s safe to say that when you watch Hayden’s work, it’s bound to give you those good ol’ goosies.
The Creative Circle Best of 2022 is about celebrating all the finest South African Creativity from 2022. Here you can find all the awarded work and the talent responsible for creating the work...so you know who to call for your next project 🔥
Gorgeous Bushman aka Bathandwa Ngwendu spent the past year enrolled in The Storyteller Foundation’s programme. As the first recipient of the Foundation, he’s gained invaluable directing experience working closely under the mentorship of Lourens van Rensburg at 7Films. He has now officially joined the 7Films roster, open for briefs with the full production support of the established team. We get into how he was selected and his move into full-time commercial directing.
Dove’s latest campaign pays other brands to diversify their ads. We spoke to 7Films about the Cirque du Soleil-like project management skills required to pull off a campaign that stretched over two years, four countries and one global pandemic.
When one of the top, most established directors in the industry makes a move like this, we pay attention 👀 We meet with the legend himself and the legendary team at 7 Films to find out more about this blessed union.
After having directed in over 50 countries around the world Ndumiso Sibanda has decided to call 7 Films home. We find out more about this Zimbabwean-born South African with a taste for adventure, a love of the continent and a passion to promote African identity.
The Storyteller Foundation announces the launch of a programme in honour of Director SJ’s legacy that aims to support exceptional talent by providing mentorship and practical experience in ALL aspects of film directing. We catch up with the founders from 7Films and top ad agency folks at 99c about how the Foundation aims to shape the future of the local film industry.
We caught up with Executive Producer Nina van Rensburg and Director Lourens van Rensburg from 7Films about creating work with meaning, the changes they’ve adapted to in the industry and we get to meet the latest sexy addition to their Director squad.
Director SJ from 7Films briefly presses pause on creating authentic SA stories to share his 'tingle method' of directing, thoughts on growing the industry and his goal to change the world through film. All in a day's work fam! Oh, and there's also time for a magazine-cover shoot! 💃💃💃