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.
Painting from a young age, I’ve always been inspired by the emotion of conceptual art and the energy of graffiti. I personally love pop art and bold colour, but I also enjoy painting finer detailed pieces and whymsical scenes. I graduated from Fashion Design College in 2007. I ran my own fashion business, often incorporating painting into my designs. I did a few Jackson Pollock inspired cocktail dresses during my early days, and sold a range of hand painted cotton dresses later on. During a stint overseas I was asked to do a classroom mural. After returning, I worked in an art classroom helping with the yearly Musical prop production painting aswell. Then, I was approached to paint a wall outside a classroom and my Mural career took off! I’ve painted scenes and props for escape rooms. I’ve done group projects on large interior walls; an inspirational 5 square meter word wall; a 4 square meter mural of a lego ball exploding through the wall; safari scenes and the list goes on!
I’m big on perfection and proficiency. The bigger and bolder the mural, the better!
ACTION VEHICLES COORDINATOR
As an Action Vehicle Coordinator in the film industry, I bring precision, creativity, and fearless leadership to every set I step onto. With a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics and cinematic storytelling, I specialize in orchestrating high-impact scenes where cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles become characters in their own right. My journey has taken me from vehicle sourcing and good client relationships to blockbuster productions, where I’ve worked alongside stunt teams, directors, and production crews to choreograph vehicle sequences that are as safe as they are spectacular. Whether it’s a high-speed chase through city streets or a convoy rolling through rugged terrain, I ensure every movement is timed to perfection and every vehicle is ready for action. In a space where women are still carving out their place, I’ve built a reputation for excellence, resilience, and collaboration. I thrive under pressure, adapt quickly, and bring a unique perspective to the art of vehicular storytelling—proving that grit and grace can coexist behind the wheel. With deep respect for all crew.
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.
Prop Stars is your go-to destination for high-quality furniture, prop rentals, and set decoration services in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Whether you’re planning a film production, exhibition, private event, wedding, conference, or home staging project, we provide a wide selection of styles to match your unique vision.
With a strong foundation in the South African film industry, we offer specialized prop hire and set dressing solutions, along with a fully equipped film studio in Johannesburg. Our Cape Town warehouse is stocked with an extensive inventory, ensuring seamless rentals for productions and events of any scale.
PROP.STUDIO is a boutique prop hiring business. With a vast collection of curated high-quality items ranging from crockery, bicycles, kids toys, decor items, beach, bags and more -all available for hire to stylists, art department and people alike in the stills, tv and film industry.
Propeller Period Props is the legacy of one man ~ Abraham Theron, known to everyone in the industry simply as Braam. What began as a personal passion for collecting, restoring, and cherishing timeless items soon caught the eye of the film world. Long before South Africa became the international production hub it is today, filmmakers were knocking on Braam’s door to borrow pieces that no one else could provide.
As his modest home began overflowing, it became clear that what started as a hobby had transformed into something much bigger ~ a business too vast for one person to manage alone. Braam turned to one of his clients, set decorator Zaan de Villiers, inviting her to partner with him. She left her career in set decoration to co-create what would become Propeller Period Props.
From those humble beginnings, Propeller has grown into a cornerstone of the film, television, events, and entertainment industries ~ offering an ever-expanding world of unique, magical pieces. Braam still delights in sourcing and collecting treasures, while the Propeller team keeps this remarkable ship afloat, ensuring the magic continues for productions of every scale.
With over 25 years within the film industry we will take care of your valuable product providing world class professional and efficient view to ease your load and complete peace of mind. Transportation, open and enclosed for complete security and efficiency specialising in confidential concept and pre-production vehicles. We are your 1 stop shop for any motor vehicle related shoots. Precision driving with a database for supply across all ethnic groups from bike riders to car and truck to match your artist selection as close as possible. Coded Auto Detailing Technicians from Stills to TVC to Features.
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.
