Zee Ntuli, the youngest member of the family, might be up and coming, but he’s already working his magic on set. He loves all things epic, yet at the same time brings a lovely human touch to his work.
iDidTht: ‘What did you want to be when you were growing up?’
Zee: ‘It changed once a week between being a lawyer, a chef, an actor, a painter and a musician. And then someone said you could dabble in all of those things if you get involved in directing, and I thought ‘well that’s perfect!’
iDidTht: ‘Which of the other directors at Darling would direct the movie based on your life?’
Zee: ‘Ross Garrett. He just has a really attentive eye, a really sensitive soul and it reflects in his work. I think he’s delicate but still esthetically brave. And it would be called…hmmm, that’s a big one, woah!
iDidTht: We love that as a title! ‘That’s A Big One, Woah!’

iDidTht: ‘Darling Films is…
Zee: ‘My Darling.’

‘When I realised Melina and Lorraine were starting Darling I was like ‘I’m coming please thank you!’

A quick glance at Jeana’s body of work and you’re instantly transported to a better world, a world of beauty and stunning visual imagery. She has an eye for the pretty and all things feminine, but she’s fierce as hell!
iDidTht: ‘What did you want to be when you were growing up?’
Jeana: ‘When I was little little little I wanted to be a fashion designer but when I was 16 I decided I wanted to be a film director after watching Jane Campion’s The Piano – I was like ‘that is what I wanna do’.’
iDidTht: ‘Fashion? So what are the your fashion trend predictions?’
Jeana: ‘Digital illuminated virtual reality clothing.’
iDidTht: ‘Please no! We’ve only just made peace with skinny jeans!’

Chloe has recently installed Snapchat on her phone and well, we couldn’t stop her…

iDidTht: ‘Which of the other directors at Darling would direct the Chloe movie?’
Chloe: ‘Can I have everyone please? Jono, cause we’ve been friends since we were kippies. He’s my work brother and my bouncing board. Jeana, for some left of centre quirk, also she’ll make sure everything is lank beautiful. Ross, cause he just gets it… and yusslike, it’s fucking Ross. Zee, I mean Zee has directed actual films, just saying. Graeme…cause he can make me fly and dance like Gene Kelly. Did I mention it’s a musical? Thanks Graeme. Mzi will inject the ‘cool’ into it and Louis, cause it’s always good to have a genius on board.’

We See Her Name In Lights. We See Her Name In The Stars

All we wanna say here is that the Halls ad might very well be one of our favourite ads of all time ever!

Everything Ross touches is magical – from print (yes, he’s also a photographer) to moving pictures. He has an incredible eye and an amazing sense of taste and focus on the creative.
iDidTht: ‘What is one of your earliest memories as a director?’
Ross: ‘Having wrap drinks with the art director on my first TVC job. It was for Edgars and we were in Kalk Bay in Cape Town. She is now my wife!’
iDidTht: ‘You got game Ross! So, which of the other directors at Darling would direct the Ross movie?’
Ross: ‘Chloe Coetsee. I think she could see into the strange crevices in my mind. I think she would get the fact that I’m really not that serious at all. If it’s about me I would like a documentary called ‘The Dark Side.’

Ross Garrett Has That One Thing

‘I just loved that National Lottery commercial, the whole process was just amazing.’

iDidTht: ‘Darling films is…’
Ross: ‘A good feeling on the inside.’

‘I also pre-produce electronic music and I have a classical background. I play cello.’

‘Okay okay, no need to brag’ we think to ourselves. But of course, Louis is not bragging. He is about as humble and gentle as you get, a true artist. A multidisciplinary director that likes to be challenged, constantly moving between mediums.
iDidTht: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Louis: ‘My parents are architects, but I ended up studying art and always had this idea of becoming an artist.’
iDidTht: ‘What is your superpower on set?’
Louis: ‘I have an unusual approach to post-production. So my superpower is the kickass ability to work and direct for post-production. From 3D and 2D animation, visual effects to sound design and music.’

Spreading Awesomeness Throughout The Galaxy

‘I co-directed the VUZU AMP commercial with fellow Darling Jono Hall. I was in charge of the design and we did all the 3D. I’m very much into sci-fi. It was a dream come true to design the spaceships and animate them.’

iDidTht: ‘Darling Films is…’
Louis: ‘Otherworldly.’
iDidTht: ‘Which of the other Darling directors would direct the movie based on your life?’
Louis: ‘Jono. He has a really good sense of humour. It would be a dark comedy called ‘Minnaar To The Moon And Back.’

iDidTht: ‘Air drum for us immediately!’

Graeme Goes His Way.

I’m very proud of the ads I did with Darling Zee for BP. While I’m working with Darling as a director I’m also with them as a visual affects person. So the BP thing was a great way to collaborate.

iDidTht: ‘What’s the best part of Darling?’
Graeme: ‘I love the way that they always celebrate everyone’s birthday and I love that at all the events, all the crew guys are always there, they are super inclusive. And for me they have been a second family, they just took me under their wing. I owe them everything that I am today, I love them to bits.’

There is no doubt that talent runs in the Darling family and if you look closely the resemblance between them all is uncanny! They’re quirkier than your arty aunt, crazier than your drunk uncle, wiser than your gran and more talented than your overachieving cousin. Give them a call and say ‘hey Darling!’

Produced by the iDidTht Content Studio
Credits: Writer – Anne Hirsch / Art Director – Julie Maunder

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