Drikus van der Merwe

Drikus's craft is to create a visual language in both film and photography, that not only tells a story but connects to the viewer on a deeper, subliminal level.

A graduate from AFDA Film School and holds a bachelor's degree in cinematography - his work ranges from film and digital narrative feature films and to television. He has extensive experience in all departments on set, working his way through the industry as a Lighting technician, Grip assistant, 2nd AC, 1st AC and Camera operator before becoming a director of photography. This experience equips him with invaluable in-depth knowledge of all aspects of filmmaking.

Drikus's worked as a 1st AC on more than 48 feather films and most recently as the Director Of Photography on "Deep City" in South Africa.

He has travelled the world extensively from Africa to Europe and into India. This worldwide experience has given him the ability to work across all cultures with multi-national, multi-faceted teams, broadening and deepening his understanding and perspective on Production. Speaking Afrikaans and English Drikus is adept with his skills and integrates with confidence in all environments. 

SELECTED CREDITS

LONG FORM WORK EXPERIENCE

• Telenovela: The Final Chapter ‘Smoke & Mirror’ (Season 3) – Position: DOP  
• Drama: Black Brain Pictures ‘Isitha ‘The Enemy’ (Season 1 & 2) – Position: DOP  
• Short Film: Money Grubbers ‘Money Grubbers’ – Position: DOP  
• Drama: Black Brain Pictures ‘The Black Door’ (Season 2) – Position: DOP  
• Telenovela Dailies: Black Brain Pictures ‘Diep City’ (Season 2) – Position: DOP  
• Documentary Dailies: Storyscope ‘BATB’ – Position: Camera Operator
• Feature Dailies: Cheeky Pictures ‘Dimpie’ (2nd Unit) – Position: Camera Operator
• Reality Show: Hoodlum Films – ‘90 Days TOW’ (Season 5) – Position: Camera Operator
• Feature Dailies: Known Associates ‘DOAW’ (2nd Unit) – Position: Focus Puller
• Series: Ferguson Films ‘Kings of Johannesburg’ (Season 2) – Position: Focus Puller
• Series: Atlantic Pictures ‘The Dreamer’ – Position: Focus Puller

SHORT FORM WORK EXPERIENCE

• Commercial: Hogarth Worldwide ‘Proto’ – Position: DOP  
• Commercial: Groundglass Media ‘Standard Bank - Bulls’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Content: Concept 254 ‘Chivas’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Commercial: S2 Multi Media ‘GOtv’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Commercial: S2 Multi Media ‘SuperSport Euro’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Interview: Moonlighting ‘JHB Interviews’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Commercial: SRL Holdings ‘Fall in Love with TV’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Commercial: S2 Multi Media ‘GOtv - New Football’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Commercial: Afropulse Media ‘DStv’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Promo: Afropulse Media ‘GOtv - Live Sports Return’ – Position: Focus Puller    
• Commercial: OSU Creative Production ‘McDonald’s - Rewards’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Corporate: Big Banana ‘Passion’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Promo: Monarchy Productions ‘Kid’s Club’ – Position: Focus Puller
• Promo: Prodigious ‘Distell Extreme Energy’ – Position: Focus Puller  
• Commercial: Foghound Studios ‘Hollywoodbets - Wedding’– Position: Focus Puller

REFERENCES

• Sfundo Ntuli – Director
• Lungelo Ncgobo – Director
• Phumelele Majola – Director
• Wandile Magadla – Director
• Zuko Nodada – Director