Oshoveli Shipoh - Why He Isn't Your Typical Director.

Feb 24, 2021 - 13:38 Updated: Mar 11, 2021 - 14:43

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WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO DELEGATION?

The most important thing to realize is that you’re a leader, so making the team feel important to the production was first priority. That way it gives them more purpose and confidence to execute their jobs. Secondly, it’s important to know every crew and cast member’s strengths and weaknesses, that way I know how to use them for the good of the production. For instance, I couldn’t give somebody the task of running errands if their bad with time management. Time is money during a production.

DESCRIBE HOW YOU WOULD ENSURE THAT PRODUCTION IS ON SCHEDULE. WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE?

We formulated a strict timetable, where it was compulsory for everyone to wake up at 6am, have breakfast at 6:30am, and take a shower in time for the day briefing at 8am. Nobody was allowed to party and stay up late, good rest was crucial for everyone especially the actors and to ensure everyone was gone to bed by 11pm latest.

DO YOU THINK IT IS ESSENTIAL TO GO TO A FILM INSTITUTE IN ORDER TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL FILM MAKER?

Not necessarily, but I do feel it’s important to have the understanding and wisdom of what makes a film great. You really have to see everything from outside of the matrix and engineer the formula for success in your storyline.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECT HAIRAREB?

The romantic drama which is produced by Dantagos Jimmy-Melani and Ellen Ernst of Ndapunikwa Investments, tells the story about an ageing farmer who is reluctant to get into an arranged marriage with a young woman in order to save his farm from a heavy drought. The plot and production took place at Okarundu and Otjimbingwe. It’s really one of those stories that I get so excited about. There’s such a unique element to it that almost feels magical. You’ll realize why, when you watch the first 5 minutes of the feature film.

WHAT WAS YOUR DRIVE BEHIND MAKING THIS FILM?

It was quite an honor getting an invitation from the Executive Producers Dantagos Jimmy-Melani and Ellen Ernst of Ndapunikwa Investments, to come and direct this movie. It’s my first directorial debut to a feature film. When they presented me the script I went to read it and I loved the unique plot to it. It was actually meant to be a short film but we turned it into a feature film. The fact that you have two strangers who are married to each other but are trying to relate to one another while both are holding back skeletons in their closets, presents itself as something worth directing and investing into.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN UPCOMING FILM MAKER IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GROW IN THE INDUSTRY?

The most important thing to do is just start with what you already have, then build up and study films. Don’t just watch them, get to know what the winning formula is for any storyline and apply it to your own.