Meeting creatives from around the world and collaborating to craft something unique is an endlessly rewarding process. Every project brings its own challenges, opportunities, and lessons. After more than two decades in film, I still love every part of it. I’m passionate about keeping pace with industry innovation and finding smarter, more efficient and sustainable ways to enhance the visual and emotional impact of each story.
Leading a team of talented professionals is one of the great joys of my work. I take pride in assembling crews who not only excel at what they do but bring integrity, intelligence, and meaning to the process. Together, we turn creative vision into tangible worlds and enjoy doing so.
I focus on visual storytelling through detail, structure, texture and atmosphere. I approach each project with an emphasis on preparation, clear communication, and respect for the wider creative vision. I’m always looking for practical ways to support the director’s intent, the needs of camera and performance and the production design concept,
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable directors including
Mira Nair, Anne Sewitsky, Sherry Hormann, Kai Wessel, Mac Premo, Liam O’Donnell, among others.
I’ve also learned from some of the industry’s most inspiring Production Designers such as Stephanie Carroll, Kevin Phipps, Fred du Preez, Tracy Collis, John Bennett, Tom Gubb and Franz Lewis.
My work has brought me into partnership with global production companies like Netflix, Warner Brothers, Fox Searchlight and Sony Pictures , as well as South Africa’s leading studios, Moonlighting, Film Afrika, Orange Films, Gatehouse and Farm Films.
In every project, I aim to create sets that feel alive and environments that become characters in their own right. At the heart of it all, we love great stories.
Let us bring yours to life.
Cream Recruitment is a Cape Town-based boutique agency specialising in Art Department and Wardrobe crew for local and international productions. We represent a curated roster of experienced professionals. From production designers and art directors to set dressers, props assistants, stylists, scenics and more.
With years of industry insight, we focus on providing tailored crew solutions for features, commercials, stills, and events. Our strength lies in matching the right people to the right project, quickly, reliably, and with full transparency.
We work closely with producers, HODs, and coordinators to streamline the hiring process, ensuring crew are not only skilled and SARS-compliant but also a great fit for the team dynamic. From crew recommendations to interviews, onboarding, and invoicing, we handle it all.
Whether you’re prepping a shoot in Cape Town or bringing in an international project, Cream is your trusted partner for dependable, creative, and committed crew.
PROPS & SET DEC STANDBY
Damian has 14 years experience in International Film, TV Series & Commercials. He is a powerhouse with indepth knowledge, a full kit & standby vehicle, exceptional creativity with a huge passion for filmmaking.
“Originating from a small town in Namaqualand, I left for Cape Town with a dream for a better future. I started out as an Art truck driver, but I had my hopes set on becoming a Standby ~ within a year I was given the opportunity and I have never looked back!
I have always been captivated by the filmmaking process. I love all of it! The long hours, the people, the challenges, finding quick solutions and my heart beating in my chest when under pressure! I take my job very seriously and create in depth breakdowns, think deeply about the characters and how their props and environments relate to them and I love coming up with clever ideas to resolve problems. I love the fast pace, attention to detail creating shoot-throughs for camera and continuity for resets.I am quick on my feet always keeping the Director in my line of sight, you’ll always find me at the monitor while we are rolling whilst also scheduling my day prepping for the scenes ahead. Living my dream !”
ART DIRECTOR | STYLIST | SET DECORATOR | PROPS MASTER
From concept to creation I bring to life, with detailed attention, your ideas for film, events and commercials. My love for travel, eye for the unusual & alluring, (and 15 years of hard work in the industry), have taught me the secrets of authentic dressing. I am diligent and playful and always manage my crew and budgets with integrity.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER | ART DIRECTOR | SET DECORATOR
I have loved the Cape Town Film Industry for 25 years now.
With a deep interest in Story telling, design details, fabrics and architecture through out various periods.
I have grown over the years through Props mastering, Set dressing, Decorating, Art Direction and Production Design. (For this I have been awarded a SAFTA and an Amanda award in Norway)
Whether it’s heading the Art Department, or just being part of a bigger team, I believe encouragement and good morale in the Art Department is when the magic happens. We should never stop learning from each other.
Be it film, episodic, TVC’s, or Music Videos, I approach each project with creative enthusiasm, and have Production designed for Amazon Prime, Netflix, CNN, and Norwegian Cinema.
I have Art Directed for Universal Pictures, Hulu Germany.
I have Decorated films for Amazon Prime, German Cinema, and others
I reside in Cape Town, but also hold a British Passport.
With a distinguished background in both the South African Defence Force and the South African Police Service, I bring extensive experience in discipline, leadership, and operational excellence. Over the years, I have developed a deep passion and expertise in 4×4 and overlanding adventures, supported by formal qualifications in advanced driving—both on-road and off-road. My proficiency extends to overlanding tour operations, vehicle recovery, and 4×4 accessory applications, making me well-versed in planning and executing challenging expeditions with precision and safety.
Dedicated, resourceful, and highly skilled in terrain navigation, I take pride in combining technical know-how with a love for exploration.
An added bonus is a small rental fleet of restored Land Cruiser 60 Series vehicles for photo shoots or productions.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER | ART DIRECTOR
M-j has been weaving her magic and sprinkling her gold dust on creative ideas throughout South Africa, Europe, America, Seychelles, and Mauritius, Kenya & Namibia for over 25 years, while at the same time keeping an iron-fist control on the budget. She is totally committed to anticipating the film director’s needs and to interpreting his vision into an end result that surpasses his expectations.
On both features, commercials and other visual genres, her positive “let’s make it happen” attitude ensures that the project evolves to be the best that it can be. M-j’s talent and artistic expression is strongly underscored by her Graphic Art Diploma (Michaels School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town), as is apparent in the versatility of myriad styles showcased in her work.
Although she majored in photography, which remains one of her primary artistic expressions, she has embraced many art disciplines including abstract painting, paint effects, jewellery design and manufacture. She is also an accomplished Interior Designer and Landscape gardener.
Passionate about nature and the outdoors, M-j lives on a farm 40 minutes from Cape Town that serves as her studio and props warehouse, and where she keeps her award winning German Shepherd dogs and her Appaloosa Stallion.
ACTION VEHICLE COORDINATOR
With over 13 years of experience as an Action Vehicle Coordinator, I have sourced and managed vehicles for a wide range of projects, including international and local commercials, docudramas, movies, and Series. I have solid experience in coordinating “Mystery” (unreleased models) car logistics for commercials from Dacia to Aston Martin. Vintage vehicles hold a very special place in my heart and they, of course, come with special needs on set. I’ve worked alongside stunt teams when planning stunts, directors, when choreographing traffic jams and car wrecks; production teams with planning and when a quick fix is required.
ART & COSTUME STYLIST | PROPS MASTER | COSTUME ASSISTANT | FABRICATOR & MANUFACTURER
Nicola Hetz has over 12 years of experience in stage, screen, and events costumes, floral design, and prop styling. Nicola is now the co-owner of Compass Rose Collective, a multidisciplinary design studio and creative hub, where she continues to hone her craft. Her on-screen credits include being lead seamstress for Road to Emmauss, Production Designer for Céline Tshika’s ‘No Worries if Not’ and ‘The Bear’ videos.
Nicola has extensive experience working in TVCs in numerous capacities in art and wardrobe.
She’s available for the following roles: costume design/styling, manufacturing, Props Master, and costume assistant.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
I graduated in 1996 from Rhodes University with a BFA (Fine Art) and have worked in the commercial, film & TV industry since then.
SAFTA AWARD – Best in Production Design 2019
Skills:
drawing, painting, print making(multi disciplinary)
photography
scale drawings, sketchup, set design
graphic design, photoshop, illustrator, indesign
procreate
wardrobe design
lighting design
set dec & dressing
interior design
interactive graphic design for props
prop design & fabrication
scenic painting
packs and product styling
budgets, scheduling, continuity breakdowns, excel.
