Brendan Jack

Izimvo is honoured to introduce the guy from that film, Brendan Jack.

Brendan, best known for his work in Crazy Monkey and Straight Outta Benoni, is a TV & film writer, performer, voice-over artist, director and in our opinion, a comedic genius.

He also happens to be one incredible footskater.

Website: http://www.brendanjack.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brendanjack
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendanjack/
Location: Johannesburg

Brendan was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Brendan Jack. 35. Film and TV writer, performer, director, producer, marketer. Or “that guy from that film…”

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I don’t know how to fly a helicopter. My favourite movie used to be Glengarry Glen Ross. I sometimes battle to use Clingwrap (surely they can fix the interface, it’s 2009.) I lived in a monastery in Los Angeles for a year.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Pretend I’m taking a cellphone call, then walking briskly until I’m hidden by bushes.

South African Film

Q: With the recent success of South African movies such as Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 and Gavin Hood’s Tsotsi, what are your thoughts on the current state of our film industry and are you optimistic for its future?

A: I am optimistic and it is growing. It just needs more product to be put out every year, so the industry has more chance of getting the elusive formula right. If more local films had Peter Jackson’s backing, input, budgets and international distribution, there would definitely be a lot more success.

Q: You’ve personally been involved in a number of successful local films including Footskating 101 and Crazy Monkey’s Straight Outta Benoni which opened at number 1 at the South African box office. What, in your opinion, are the key ingredients for making a successful movie in the South African context?

A: A solid blueprint in the form of a compelling script, a start-up mentality, a committed team, endless hard work, knowledge of the market you’re making it for, and a lot of luck. Unfortunately most audiences want to see a slick, big budget Hollywood affair. So you need to create a product that plays to the strengths and budget that you have available. Also, making the film is the easy part when you compare it to the selling and marketing of the film.

Q: South African audiences are known for not supporting locally produced film and TV. Are you finding an end to this trend in light of the recent success stories?

A: There’s been a lot of support and goodwill towards the films I’ve been involved in. But we have a rather small cinema-going population, which means you have to work extra hard to draw an audience. With regards to the recent success stories you mentioned, opening number one worldwide and winning a foreign Oscar will definitely bring in the local audience. But for these two successes, there are twenty other local films that weren’t supported.

Q: We have a wealth of exceptional talented South African actors. Who have you most enjoyed working with and who would you love to work with?

A: Rob Van Vuuren was great to work with in Footskating 101. And Robert Whitehead (Barker in Isidingo) has got skills. Perhaps people like Casper De Vries, Sonia Esgueira or Arnold Vosloo (if he can still do the SA accent.) There are a number of emerging talents that I look forward to working with soon.

Q: Can you tell us about what you are currently working on?

A: Various TV show pilots are in focus groups. (Perhaps there’s room for a show about focus groups.) I’m producing video marketing campaigns, specifically looking online at viral, branded content and webisodes; it’s a whole new frontier. An example is a recent campaign for Puma International, where I plan to run against Usain Bolt in the future. There are a number of these videos, podcasts, sketches and other webisodes on my website. I’m also currently doing comedy motivational talks for corporates, a short film to encourage blood donation, voice-overs, writing, and discussing the next feature film with various people.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes. It makes you lose your rose-tinted outlook. But you can’t dwell on it for long or it will paralyze you and make you bitter.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I’ve sent Charlize Theron several emails about living at her place. No reply. So I’m here for the duration.

Q: If you were South African president for just oneday, what would you change?

A: My car. I’d also double school teacher salaries.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Tokara winery and restaurant in Stellenbosch, everywhere in the Karoo, especially the Swartberg mountain pass, and maybe Ernie’s house at Leopard Creek, near Nelspruit.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: Which stand up venue in or around Johannesburg is your personal favorite?

A: The Comedy Underground at Cool Runnings in Melville. I did my first gigs there. Just don’t expect frills in the basement.

Q: If you were looking for locations to show off Johannesburg to the world, which places would be on your short list?

A: The stadiums as seen from the top of Ponte, sunset at The Westcliff, and the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. (And a fourth while you’re in Roodepoort, the Flying Saucer House. If it hasn’t taken off.)

Q: Favorite restaurant for dinner with a group of friends?

A: Grillhouse in Rosebank, Byzance in Lonehill.

General

Q: Who do you consider as the funniest person ever?

A: Impossible to answer. Smith and Jones, Benny Hill and Bill Murray when I was a kid. Dylan Moran, Jennifer Saunders, Bill Bailey, the Mighty Boosh, Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords, Gavin Williams from Straight Outta Benoni… many more.

Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: Possibly David Letterman and Terry Gilliam during the week, Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day-Lewis on the weekends.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: At my parent’s guest farm, Clements Retreat, in the Magaliesburg Valley. http://www.clementsretreat.com

Q: If you could to invite 3 South Africans from any era to a dinner party, who would they be and what would you be serving?

A: I know you said 3, but… Tolkien, (technically South African), David Rattray, JM Coetzee, who’s apparently only laughed once in his life, so he could be fun next to the gregarious Obie Oberholzer. (I know, a lot of older white dudes so far.) Henry Cele, sitting next to the real Shaka, Trevor Rabin handling the music, and Kevin Pietersen to serve food and do the dishes. (Charlize never responded to the Facebook invite.)

Perhaps start with a tuna tartar, with avocado, caviar with ponzu dressing. Then various incarnations of Karoo lamb, including some sort of roulade, all served with a case of Schalk Burger and Sons’ Welbedacht Hattrick red. Then get KP to throw something easy together for dessert, like a sorbet of cheese-stuffed strawberries with Campari & orange confit. All of which I currently have in my fridge. If anyone wanted to get rowdy afterwards, we could make Hayemakers, a drink they concocted in honour of David Haye, the newly crowned heavyweight champion of the world. It’s Guinness, Pernod and a red Sparberry depth charge. Classy.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Marius Weyers, Julius Malema and Riaan Cruywagen. In that order.

A massive thank you to Brendan for a hilarious interview. Reminder that you can become a fan of Izimvo on our Facebook page. It is the perfect place to submit interviewee and question suggestions. http://www.facebook.com/izimvo