Bouffant Directors

Marc graduated, with Honours, in 1999 from the renowned South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), majoring in Scriptwriting and Directing.
Within a year of leaving film school, Marc had won a Silver Loerie for his first commercial, Volkswagen ‘Informer’. The same year he was featured on the highly lauded Saatchi and Saatchi’s New Directors showcase at the 2001 Cannes Lions. This was for the spot “Pimple” for His People Ministries, which was also a finalist that year. All this, at the age of 23.
Equally at home with performance work and more visually driven pieces, Marc considers himself primarily a storyteller. “As a director, my singular task is to serve the story. Technique is superfluous without narrative. My job is not to inundate a film with my own ideologies or signature styling. I need to bring a strong idea on paper, to fruition. Every story wants to be something; you have to listen to it carefully, let it be what it desires.”
Marc has directed several major campaigns, both locally and abroad. Clients have included Toyota, Vodafone, Volkswagen and Pepsi.

His most recent work includes a trailer for the launch of Lauren Beukes’s new novel Broken Monsters, as well as an endearing commercial for Total. 

Andre’s career, which spans over 20 years, is a journal of South African filmmaking. His Cardies commercial spearheaded the return of South Africa to international awards with a Cannes Lion. Whilst well known for his sensitive portrayal of the African cultural landscape, Andre is also a favoured choice for children and comedy scripts.

A combination of his technical expertise and comedy timing is well illustrated in the Castrol “Kung Fu” commercial that won a Loerie Craft award for Humour in 2002, in addition he won a Vuka award for best use of humour in a PSA in 2003 for his spot for Drive Alive for Network BBDO. Andre’s finely honed skill in tabletop photography is well illustrated with his stunning work for Robertsons through FCB Durban.

With his wealth of experience Andre is able to soothe the most difficult clients andbring production house and agency on to the same page. Andre has worked on the classic campaigns such as Castrol and Cardies, which have moved from the commercial realm into the greater South African consciousness.

Andre’s innate ability to always deliver the goods with creative flair with a particular sense of integrity coupled with his classic style of filmmaking are the characteristics which he brings to the table each and every time he picks up a camera. 

Dean’s commercials’ career had a great start. In his first year he won the Shots Young Director’s award in the non-European category at Cannes, and was chosen for the New Director’s Showcase in Shots magazine. Shortly afterwards, his Ford’Ubuntu’ spot won the Creative Circle’s Ad Of The Year. He has since gone on to win awards at most major shows, including Cannes, One Show and London International Awards, and was selected along with a handful of international directors to showcase his work at the Boards Summit in New York. He has recently completed spots starring Sir Ben Kingsley, and the international-breakthrough commercial, Nando’s “Last Dictator Standing”.
Dean’s a born storyteller. He graduated from film school with Honours and three award winning short films. His films were officially showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, and travelled the international festival circuits, picking up awards including the Fiction Award for Best Film at the World School’s Festival. Dean’s eclecticism, deep passion for his craft and chameleon-like ability to adapt and evolve with different scripts has made him a highly sought after director. 

Gordon graduated from the Wits School of Arts, where he majored in directing for theatre and television. He joined Velocity Films as a researcher in 2007 where he has been an integral part of film production ever since, creatively assisting all the top Velocity Directors during his 7 years.

Whilst under the guidance of Executive Producers Peter Carr, Nicola Valentine and Monareng Makwetla, Gordon has gone on to direct music videos for some of South Africa’s most astute artists; namely Tumi and the Volume, Reason and Good Luck.

In 2012 he directed the ‘You’re the Voice’ music video for Shout SA. The foundation was formed after the death of South African music legend, Lucky Dube, and their first single ‘Shout’ (originally by Tears for Fears) was recorded by and featured 120 South African Artists.

Gordon also had the opportunity to work with the likes of Mfundi Vundla – producer and Librettist – and Director Shirley-Jo Finney as the multimedia designer for ‘Winnie the Opera’ - the first opera written and produced in South Africa. The show was a musical adaption of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s involvement during apartheid and her appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Gordon believes that as a director, it is important to have an understanding of all the aspects applicable to the filmmaking process. In 2014, he joined newly appointed Executive Producer Peter Carr at Bouffant, where his promising career continues to grow. His passion for film and dedication to the industry is evident in his unassuming yet discerning approach to his work, earning him unwavering respect from his colleagues and crew. 

Thabang’s performance driven approach to commercials stems from a lengthy and successful career in long form film making that takes root in a background of various forms of visual artistry. His father, apart from being actively involved in the political struggle, was an artist in his younger days and Thabang soon became intrigued by this medium of expression; “from a blank image I could evoke a mood and feeling, I could capture a moment in time that would resonate with people forever, I knew something was truly special about art.”

Thabang studied at City Varisty in Cape Town where he was awarded numerous awards. These included Best Short Film at Sithenghi Film Festival (JAMESON AWARD) his Public Service Announcements won awards both in Dubai and South Africa (VUKA AWARDS), while his short films were selected for Cannes International Critc Week, Tampere Film Festival in Finland, 16th Africa Film Festival in Milan (as well as having the privilege of being the youngest director to compete in that Festival). His showreel is extensive in the drama genre, having directed JOZI H, an international medical drama series which was aired in South Africa and Canada; as well as Jacobs Cross, The LAB, Zone 14, Sokhulu and Partners which got an IEMMY Nomination and SAFDA win for Best Series.

Thabang moved into the realm of commercials after joining Bouffant. He has worked with some of the top advertsing agencies in the country and directed commercials for clients like DSTV, MTN, Hansa and Coke. Thabang finds it extremely important to empower, motivate and inspire others and he often gives guest lectures at institutions like Boston Media House, City Varsity, AFDA and various high schools. His priority when approaching a script is the authenticity of telling a story: “It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I have learned how to handle challenges and obstacles – they are ultimately there to make me a better storyteller.”

His recent KFC Streetwise 3 commercial for Ogilvy & Mather Johannesburg has received enthusiastic and positive feedback from the public. The commercial features South African musician and rapper Khuli Chana. Thabang and agency create a tongue-in-cheek take on Chana’s ‘Mnatebawen’, showing the playful side of the brand. The protagonist’s reluctance to share his new Streetwise meal evolves into the hit song’s chorus line “he eh”. 

Petar Spiljevic began his directing career in 2006. Serbian by birth and fluent in French and English, he moved to South Africa in 1991 and immediately developed a love for the African continent. After being a finalist in the TV category at the New York Festival Awards for his Consol advert, he continued to shoot ads for a broad spectrum of clientele; including Nedbank, Tonic and Samsung. His work spans across Africa, having shot in Mozambique and, most recently, Kenya.
He also recently collaborated with Stink Moscow on a Philips campaign, which was shot in Moscow. Stink expressed their gratitude of working with Petar, acknowledging his “attention to detail and relentless determination to release a quality product on time”.
He has a strong passion for music and food and has completed creative pieces for Stork, Tasty TV and Sunshine D. He has a discernible ability to bring classic stories to life with warmth and humour, and has a stylistic approach to films, incorporating a unique feel for each brand.
The fact that he is a father of two toddlers is integral in his life and career; he assures that nothing would be possible without the inspiration of his sons. His love for children is evident in his Neurofen ad, showcasing his keen eye for detail and benevolent nature.

AWARDS
2011
Consol – New York Film Festival – Finalist 

A master of high-concept storytelling, Erik has a reputation for lyrical filmmaking that combines character driven humanity with wow-shot visuals. His immensely diverse body of award-winning commercials includes work for global brands Honda, Coke and Ikea and leading international agencies BBH London, Wieden and Kennedy Amsterdam, and TBWA Los Angeles. Erik currently lives between Cape Town and London.