Behind the Scenes of Taxi Violence's new Music Video!

Recently I had the privilege to appear in yet another music video! The video for 'Heads or Tails' by SA rock band, Taxi Violence, were shot on different locations in Observatory over a period of two days. The concept behind the video is very creative, almost like a short story! In a nutshell, it's about a man who wakes up and something terrible happens in his day, then he gets the chance to relive that day over and over. Every morning he gets up a few seconds earlier, which results in the day playing out, and ending, differently each time. Yes, this has been done before in movies, but squeezing an entire story line into a 5min music video, is a challenge. So, just like the title of the song suggests, the day could turn out good or bad. It's heads or tails.

I have a small part in 'day one and two'. In the first scene, 'day one', the guy, who plays the lead, walks pass me on the street. We smile at each other and turn around to quickly flirt. Another guy on a bike, the stuntman, rides passed us, looks at my legs and drives into a lamp pole and falls off his bike. I don't see this, because my eye contact is elsewhere. My character is not that different from me, see? In the next scene, 'day two', we walk down the street again, pass each other and briefly make eye contact, but this time the lead isn't wearing his watch. So he stops the guy on the bike to ask for the time. I walked passed them and because of that, the guy doesn't drive into the pole because he is no longer distracted. The lead also doesn't get to flirt, because by the time he looks up, I'm already around the corner.

Even though this will probably show for 15 seconds in the music video, it was a 2 hour job. I probably walked up and down that street 120 times on heels! The poor actor who plays the lead role had to smoke almost an entire packet of cigarettes for his roll and the stunt man, well, I'm sure he experienced some degree of pain.

My scenes were shot early in the day and after that, I left. So unfortunately no photos of the other scenes or of the band, Taxi Violence. But here are some behind the scenes pictures for you:

I arrived at 07h30. Before I sat for hair and make-up, I quickly took some pics of the very first scene.

Getting prepped for my scene.

Talking to the director, Ryan Kruger, about the video and concept.

Finally, we start filming. Action! Up and down we go.

Camera positions change to capture different angles.

There was even a part where I had to act as if I'm flirting with the other actor BUT he wasn't there! So it's kinda challenging flirting with a wall and then pretending to be all in to it. It's some camera trick which will make sense once I see the end result. Overall it was yet another great experience and even my first attempt at acting. I felt a bit intimidated and pressured, yet, so comfortable and at home. This is what I should be doing for a living!

Ryan Kruger, who also directed the Parlotones music video I was in, is an award winning director and I can't wait to see him work his magic!

J

(Images: writer's own. Please do not use without permission)

It's Friday and I...

... have got nothing planned for the weekend! Great, because I need to catch up on some sleep.

... should go jogging too!

... will probably do the weekly mani- and pedicure evening at my house tonight with all the girls.

... am shooting another music on Sunday. This time with Taxi Violence.

... will, just like I always do, share all the behind-the-scenes stuff with you. Also look out for tweets and twitpics from me from the location.

... also have a photo shoot in 2 weeks to build-up a kick-ass portfolio. We're shooting at 15 on Orange, Llundadno and POD Boutique Hotel. It's going to be insane, so watch this space!

... am still on the hunt for lingerie and swimwear sponsors for two of the scenes! E-mail me if you'd like to help or need more info.

... don't remember the last time I won something.

... am looking forward to my sister's beach party next weekend!

... am single and loving it, but (im)patiently waiting for my knight in shining armor. (What's taking you so long?)

... am in need of proper wining and dining (followed by retail therapy).

... am happy and relieved that my Cavalli shades have been returned to me, undamaged.

... just realised that 11 years ago I had my first kiss. Wow, that just made me feel really old!

... hope I'm not mistaken, but isn't it Tracy McGregor's birthday today? Happy birthday hun!

Happy Friday! This is my last free weekend for months to come! It's almost too much freedom for me!

J

Behind the Scenes of the latest Parlotones Music Video

The more exposure I get in the film industry, the more addicted I become! Earlier this week I appeared in yet another music video, but this time my role was a bit smaller and the artist a bit a lot bigger. Once a person gets involved in projects like these, regardless of the part you play, you see the amount of time, work and effort that goes into making a success of a 4-minute video. So I can only imagine what it must be like making an entire movie! Respect. Not only are The Parlotones one of my favourite bands, but they are the biggest rock band in South Africa. They have won several awards (even MTV Africa awards), so I feel totally honoured to have met them and worked with them!

The music video was shot in Observatory, Cape Town. I'm not exactly sure what the concept is behind the video, because there were many different scenes, but I'm sure the end results are gonna rock. There were scenes of Kahn Morbee, the lead singer, alone in front of a green screen, scenes of the group together with people (or actors if you will) protesting in the background, police scenes and soccer scenes. I was in the soccer scene. A group of us, wearing soccer supporter's gear, had to act as if we're on a 'fan walk'. Basically just walking, looking happy and cheering as if our team just won. While doing this, Kahn walks through the crowd towards the camera. It's probably a 10 second shot, but took us over an hour to perfect! 'Reset', 'marker', 'action' or 'wait for my signal' are words I heard all day! Even though it was hard work, I felt so bummed when they shouted 'that's a wrap'.

During breaks we talked to Kahn, who is uber nice and kinda hot in real life, and took photos! Here are some behind the scenes photos, especially for you!

The team from Pasella arrives to interview the Parlotones and to get some behind the scenes footage.

Kahn doing what he does best!

Kahn and I

I made some new friends too!

Media everywhere!

Pictures from the 'protesting scene'

Everyone's getting ready for the 'soccer scene'.

Pictured here with Paul Hodgson from The Parlotones (lead guitar and keyboard) and Vicky Davis, actress and presenter from Pasella.

Pasella at work.

 

As soon as the video for "should we fight back" are out, I'll post it on my blog! Right, so what's next?
J

Thank you to The Parlotones and their entire team for the wonderful experience. A special thank you to Hilda Koorzen for giving me this opportunity.

'Dinosaur' by Jax Panik: The music video is out and it's crazy!

In October I announced that I will be in a music video with Jax Panik and later that month I took you behind the scenes of the shoot. It was hard work and after a few months of waiting for the masterpiece, the video is finally out! The video is weird and busy, but that's the Panik vibe. I love it and so proud to have been a part of it all. View it here or click below. Enjoy!

Look out for me in the music video and let me know what you think!

Tomorrow I will be shooting another music video, but this time with The Parlotones! Will tweet pics from the location!

J

Behind the Scenes of the Jax Panik Music Video

I spent most of my Sunday in a studio in Woodstock shooting a music video with Jax Panik. I arrived at the studio just after 08h00 and ready to get it started. On my way there I had three energy drinks and turned the music up really loud in my car, just to get into the party vibe. The make-up artist-slash-stylist arrived shortly after me, set up her area and gave me my outfit. I wore bright pink shoes, fishnet stockings, a little black pants, a black and white corset, a bright pink wig and of course, the Jax Panik themed mask. I even had tattoos of topless mermaids drawn on my arm and boobs.

Everybody were shot individually and basically had to dance, act and just go crazy. I was up first. Lucky me. My part in the video was the 'hot girl' that Jax Panik was singing to. I just had to dance really sexy and silly. Sounds easy enough, right? Yes and no. Dancing sober in a tiny pants and high heels, wearing a latex mask, which were skin tight and were so hard to breathe through, with a wig. Not easy. Dancing alone on one spot in front of a green screen while the lights bake on you. Even harder. To top it all? A team of producers, directors, dancers and singers staring at me. But it wasn't long before I felt completely comfortable in front of the cameras and then everything just came naturally. I went all out. I even got a round of applause for the effort. Hard work, but it was total fun! I learnt so much, worked with absolutely passionate and talented people and I had an amazing experience! I mean, not everyone can say they've been in a music video.

The song Dinosaur, for which the music video was made, will debut on the 26th of October and the music video will be out on the 15th of November. I will definitely put it on my blog the minute I get the video.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos. Don't we all just look totally weird?

This is what I looked like. Freaky. 

This is me in action...

Thank you Jax Panik and the ENTIRE TEAM involved for the once-in-a-life-time opportunity! It was great working with all of you. I'm so positive that the final cut of the music video is going to blow everyone away! I can't wait to see it!

Needless to say, I am so tired today and I will do anything for some sleep. Perhaps another energy drink will do the trick.

Jemma