Capturing the #ProjectScouted moments in motion – Videographer, Mdumisi Nxele

Having fallen in love with the art of film, Mdumisi Nxele is fascinated by the feelings motion pictures can evoke. One of the favourite parts of his creative process is in blending different images to tell a story of emotion and experience. Mdumisi will be joining our brilliant team of videographers for the Project and will be behind the camera to capture the memorable moments of the Shoelaced Clothing fashion show happening on Saturday at Factory Café. He is talented and insightful about his work, realizing the impactful role that video plays in our age. Read more about this passionate guy below.

Lee Folkard Photography: What sparked your interest in videography?

Mdumisi: I fell in love with the art of film and I was fascinated by the feelings it could evoke. When I started creating my own videos, I just thoroughly enjoyed blending in different images and creating emotions from it.

LFP: What has your journey been like in turning your passion for videography into a career?

Mdumisi: It definitely hasn't been easy; it’s actually been very challenging for me. But I love the fact that I'm growing and getting to explore and discover myself more as a person through this art and also that I'm meeting the most interesting creative people along the way. Everything that I have put into my career has definitely been worth it.

LFP: What motivated you to want to be the videographer capturing the #ProjectScouted fashion show happening on Saturday?

Mdumisi: When Lee first explained the concept of the Project and also the fashion show to me, I got extremely excited to have the opportunity to be involved in something so fresh for Durban and that also involves so many creative people. The fact that I've never done something like this before also requires me to think out of the box and will expose me to capturing video in a different setting. This is a great opportunity for me!

LFP: From what you know so far, what do you love the most about #ProjectScouted?

Mdumisi: I like the raw, unprecedented feel it has. I love how this Project gives everyone a platform to just be, no restrictions with full expression. Anything that allows me to go all out creatively has me hooked. I also love how it gets a whole host of people involved; designers, photographers, videographers, models, and others.

LFP: What has been your most memorable experience as a videographer? What has been some of your most enjoyable projects?

Mdumisi: There was a traditional Zulu wedding I did last year in Ulundi that I loved getting to capture. It wasn't at all like the way we have functions here in urban areas. In the rural areas, it’s raw and everyone is involved. It's like everyone is drunk on culture, dance and song. I particularly enjoyed the creative approach my partner and I had the freedom to give it and we got to take what we learnt in the city and apply it in the countryside. It also put us on the spot because nothing was choreographed. It was a matter of being at the right spot at the right time for the desired composition. I absolutely loved it! This is one of my fondest memories.

LFP: Do you have a specific style of videography? What sets you apart from other videographers?

Mdumisi: I don' like going according to the rules. I love real stuff that hasn’t been orchestrated in any way. I love evoking emotion and I particularly love fusing the right music for the right work.

LFP: What was the learning process like for becoming a videographer? How do you keep current?

Mdumisi: I'm still very new in the industry so I'm still learning. But then again, I suppose one never stops learning. You have to move with the industry and with the times. It's about always being updated; watching a great versatile body of work – old and new and by different artists.

LFP: What do you imagine your future to be as a videographer?

Mdumisi: My main goal is to be a well-established cinematographer.

Judging from the success of last year’s fashion show, you don’t want to miss out on it this year. But if you do, Mdumisi will be covering all the bases. This is a milestone in the Project as well as a major achievement for the 21 girls who will be walking in the show. Come out and show your support and meet the faces behind the Project that is still ‘doing it for the people’.

Capturing the moments of #ProjectScouted in motion - Videographer, Tayla-Rae Coetzer

Tayla-Rae Coetzer, a film student at AFDA currently in her third year studying Directing and Scriptwriting, will be heading into the industry next year to pursue her dream of working as a director. As a couple, Tayla and Stefan Rust will be working together behind the scenes to create some of the #ProjectScouted videos that will capture the essence of what the Project is.

1.     What sparked your interest in videography?

I am interested in film generally and videography, also known as cinematography. Cinematography captures the image of the story and shows the audience the beauty within the story using moving pictures.

2.     What is the best part for you of the entire process of creating videos?

Capturing the unexpected is my favourite part of it all; the beauty that others may not see. I enjoy looking at images in a different way to other people, it takes time but that is where you find the right image.

3.     How did you hear about #ProjectScouted?

I have been following Lee's Projects for many years via Facebook. Some of my friends have also taken part in the Projects.

4.     What motivated you to become one of the videographers capturing #ProjectScouted?

I have always wanted to be a part of #ProjectScouted. Stefan has also pulled me closer into the world of videography and hopefully being a part of this Project will allow me to learn more.

5.     What are you looking forward to the most in the Project?

I am looking forward to meeting all the different people that

#ProjectScouted brings together, making new friends and possibly people to work with in the future.

6.     What has been your most memorable experience as a videographer?

My most memorable moment was not filming something but photographing it. Waking up at 3am in the morning and heading to the beach to capture the sunrise. I had tons of fun playing around with the settings to get just the right amount of light in to capture the rising of the sun.

7.     Would you advise someone who wants to be a videographer to get a qualification first or to learn on their own?

I would suggest a qualification because it is always best to have a Degree behind you. While studying you will learn things that you are unable to teach yourself. You also meet people that are interested in the same things that you are and make contacts for the future.

Stay in the loop by following the #ProjectScouted Instagram account as well as keeping active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Even if you aren’t at a phase, there’s still a way for you to be a part of this amazing experience. The Project will officially kick off on 28 February 2015 with Phase One and the launch held at #Hashtag Social Restaurant and Bar on Windermere Road, which will also be filmed by Tayla. Remember that all shoots and events are open to the public at no cost!

Capturing the #ProjectScouted moments in motion - Videographer, Stefan Rust

Art becomes even more meaningful when there is a story behind it from the one creating it. Joining the #ProjectScouted videography team is Stefan Rust, currently in his 3^rd year studying Directing and Scriptwriting at AFDA Film School, who triumphed over illness through willpower and his love of watching and making movies.

1.     What inspired your passion for videography?

After I matriculated, I attended a local summer film school for 4 weeks and fell completely in love with film as it just had a magical aspect to it. Film has always been a passion for me and also a life-support as in 2012 I was diagnosed with bone cancer and battled with it for 3 years. What got me through it was making and watching movies. It gave me a reason to live and it made me happy.

2.     What do you enjoy the most in the entire process of creating videos?

What I enjoy the most is being able to work with talented teammates to create something that we have all worked so hard on and seeing it come to life. It is one of the most rewarding things I could experience.

3.     How did you hear about #ProjectScouted?

I came across #ProjectScouted when a friend of mine was asked to be a photographer for the Project.

4.     What motivated you to become one of the videographers capturing #ProjectScouted?

I’m new to Durban and the creative world here, so I think it would be a great opportunity to meet other talented artists that live here and get to know them.

5.     What are you looking forward to the most in the Project?

I’m looking forward to meeting new and interesting people and also creating something special for each phase of the Project with a behind-the-scenes look into what goes on in creating this journey.

6.     Do you have a specific style of videography? How would you describe that style?

I think I have a rhythmic style with my event videos as I believe that bringing music into film can just bring it to life and just create something so vibrant and colourful keeping the audience captivated. I try keeping the visuals and audio at a constant tempo so they complement each other making the combination smooth and enjoyable.

7.     What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a videographer?

Well, I’d say just shoot and edit as much as you can because you can only get better. And also life is short… Do what makes you happy.

Keep active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for everything #ProjectScouted. Even if you happen to miss a phase, there’s still a way for you to be a part of the experience. The Project will officially kick off on 28 February 2015 with Phase One and the launch held at #Hashtag Social Restaurant and Bar on Windermere Road. Remember that all shoots and events are open to the public at no cost!

Capturing the moments of #ProjectScouted in motion - Videographer, Robbie Muller

An exciting new aspect of #ProjectScouted this year is the addition of videographers and cinematographers to the highly creative and skilled team. This year, every thrilling moment of the Project will be captured on camera and shared across social media. One of the videographers on board is Robbie Muller, a full-time videographer who works making news and comedy shows for the ITEN network. He is also a freelancer shooting corporate videos, adverts and is also helping out on a feature film currently being shot in Durban as well as being a part-time photographer. Read more about Robbie’s passion for videography below.

1.     What sparked your interest in videography?

Growing up, I watched a lot of television shows and movies like Dragonball Z and Power Rangers. Haha! When I finished school, I thought it would be a great idea to create something of my own. I enjoyed being behind a camera and capturing moments, it has always fascinated me and now it is my career to do something I love. I am blessed beyond measure.

2.     What is the best part of the entire process of creating videos?

The best part is knowing that there is no limit to what you can do with a camera; from using different angles to setting up lights to create a mood, to creating various time-lapses to capturing moments and editing them in slow motion.

3.     How did you hear about #ProjectScouted?

I came along to one of the shoots last year because my twin cousins, Keelan and Chad Brissett, were asked to model in one of the phases. I was amazed that the response the Project was getting. People were even getting interviewed in newspapers around Durban and I thought it was an amazing way to put Durban on the map.

4.     What motivated you to become one of the videographers capturing #ProjectScouted?

I began chatting to Lee last year and realised that this is a great platform. Durban is highly underrated compared to Johannesburg and Cape Town and we have so much potential right here and it should not go unnoticed. We need to show the rest of South Africa that we have the most beautiful women around.

5.     Having attended a phase last year, what do you love the most about #ProjectScouted?

What I love the most is meeting so many different people in my home town, from talented photographers like Roy and Jerome to different designers and makeup artists and not to mention the beautiful young women. I am really looking forward to this year; I have seen that there are a lot of motivated and stunning aspirants lined up.

6.     What has been your most memorable experience as a videographer?

I have met so many people on my journey and even got the opportunity to meet Idris Elba who portrayed Nelson Mandela in the movie Mandela: Long walk to Freedom.

7.     Would you advise someone who wants to be a videographer to get a qualification first or to learn on their own?

To be honest, in this industry they don’t really look at qualifications, people hire you based on creativity, good etiquette and hard work. Like everything else these days, videography can be taught online, but I went to the Durban University of Technology for 4 years and I feel like it has taught me quite a lot. So my answer is to do a short course which will teach you the basics and then to work and gain as much experience, because that is the only way you grow as an individual.

Keep active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for everything #ProjectScouted. The Project kicks off on 28 February 2015 with Phase One and the launch. And remember that all shoots and events are open to the public free of charge!