Simon Hansen
Encyclopedia
Simon Hansen is a South Africa
n born film maker who is considered by some to be leading South Africa's revolution in their local film industry
. Hansen has been working in the Film and entertainment industry since 1992 and is a world class innovator. He is best known for producing Alive in Joburg
, the film upon which District 9
is Based and for his ability to spot, nurture and engage with new talent.
and Neill Blomkamp
. Blomkamp was still in Highschool when they began working together. Hansen mentored many animator
s and film makers in the South African and African Film Industry. He convinced Copley not to leave South Africa to study in the USA but rather to stay in South Africa and build the industry. Hansen was partnered with Copley in business for well over a decade. Claims the duo were instrumental in starting a television Channel in South Africa called e.tv
are false. In truth they supplied etv with a show called Deadtime which ran during the dead time of midnight to 6am.
Hansen still conducts workshop
s in South Africa to inspire and unite young film makers and grow the industry and is currently collaborating with young talent to produce a slate of films under his company Inspired Minority Pictures.
As a writer, producer and director he has partnered and collaborated with different people to build a competitive film industry in South Africa that can compete in the international arena. Hansen owns the Visual Effects company called Atomic Visual Effects, the talent agency called Slaves Talent Management and a production company
called Inspired Minority Pictures which is now his flagship for creating, what he calls, commercial Independent films.
in 2006 under the Cinema Du Monde Section. Hellweek also featured a then unknown Copley as a relentless US drill sergeant. The theme of Hellweek relates to the training of world-class animators in a third world South Africa. 2001:a Space Oddity shares some themes with District 9 in that it features the space shuttle
Atlantis landing on a Cape Town
street as opposed to New York
or Los Angeles
.
Hansen's first feature film entitled Spoon was co-directed by Copley in 2006 and shot using brand new camera technology. The supernatural thriller produced by Hansen, Quinlan and Copley stars Darren Boyd
and Rutger Hauer. Copley left Hansen to finish the project when he was offered the lead role of Wikus Van Der Merwe in District 9. Spoon's long-awaited release is expected sometime in 2010. Hansen was instrumental in the development of the si2k which was used for the first time on Spoon and later on Slumdog Millionaire
for which that film won the Academy Award for cinematography
.
In 2005 Simon and Sharlto produced the short film directed by Neill Blomkamp entitled Alive in Joburg. The film features a documentary
account of aliens living in South African township
s and is the basis for the 2009 summer blockbuster District 9 which starred Copley. Hansen also directed some of the scenes in District 9.
In 2009 Hansen produced Pumzi
, a short film which features a future sci-fi world without water, 35 years after 'The Water War'. Pumzi (which is Swahili for "Breath") is written and directed by young Kenyan director Wanuri Kahui. The short is part of the Focus Features backed Africa First Program and is officially in competition at Sundance 2010. The film boasts high production values for its tiny budget which is something Hansen is known for.
for Spoon, What the Bleep do We (k)now, The Breed and Pumzi. Hansen also supervised the visual effects on Lost City Raiders, and the TV series Crusoe
s and has taken over 100 submissions and conducted 4 workshops throughout South Africa. Hansen believes the process of making Spoon has shown the way for film makers to take full advantage of the new world offered through technology and innovation and refers to Spoon as the project which proved it. He calls it "a big film in a small films body". and is currently collaborating with young South African talent to produce a slate of 10 low budget, high impact, commercial independent features based on Spoons production model. Hansen intends to use technology and innovation to turn low budget films into more bankable commercial properties.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n born film maker who is considered by some to be leading South Africa's revolution in their local film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
. Hansen has been working in the Film and entertainment industry since 1992 and is a world class innovator. He is best known for producing Alive in Joburg
Alive in Joburg
"Alive in Joburg" is a 2005 science fiction short film directed by Neill Blomkamp, produced by Simon Hansen and Sharlto Copley in Canada, and released by Spy Films. It runs approximately six minutes long and was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa with soundtrack featuring composer sound designer...
, the film upon which District 9
District 9
District 9 is a 2009 South African science fiction thriller film directed by Neill Blomkamp. It was written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James...
is Based and for his ability to spot, nurture and engage with new talent.
Background
Hansen discovered and mentored long time collaborators and friends Sharlto CopleySharlto Copley
Sharlto Copley is a South African producer, actor, and director who has produced and co-directed short films which have appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as commercials and music videos...
and Neill Blomkamp
Neill Blomkamp
Neill Blomkamp is an Afrikaner-Canadian film and advertisement writer and director. Blomkamp employs a documentary-style, hand-held, cinéma vérité technique, blending naturalistic and photo-realistic computer-generated effects. He is best known as the co-writer and director of critically acclaimed...
. Blomkamp was still in Highschool when they began working together. Hansen mentored many animator
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
s and film makers in the South African and African Film Industry. He convinced Copley not to leave South Africa to study in the USA but rather to stay in South Africa and build the industry. Hansen was partnered with Copley in business for well over a decade. Claims the duo were instrumental in starting a television Channel in South Africa called e.tv
E.tv
e.tv is the fifth terrestrial television channel in South Africa, following three channels operated by the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation and the privately owned subscription-funded M-Net, operated by Multichoice...
are false. In truth they supplied etv with a show called Deadtime which ran during the dead time of midnight to 6am.
Hansen still conducts workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
s in South Africa to inspire and unite young film makers and grow the industry and is currently collaborating with young talent to produce a slate of films under his company Inspired Minority Pictures.
As a writer, producer and director he has partnered and collaborated with different people to build a competitive film industry in South Africa that can compete in the international arena. Hansen owns the Visual Effects company called Atomic Visual Effects, the talent agency called Slaves Talent Management and a production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
called Inspired Minority Pictures which is now his flagship for creating, what he calls, commercial Independent films.
Partnerships and associates
Simon has worked closely with Shartlo Copley, Amira Quinlan and Hannah Slezacek on most of his projects. Hansen directed and produced two very popular viral short films, 2001:a space oddity and Hellweek, both of which were featured at the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 2006 under the Cinema Du Monde Section. Hellweek also featured a then unknown Copley as a relentless US drill sergeant. The theme of Hellweek relates to the training of world-class animators in a third world South Africa. 2001:a Space Oddity shares some themes with District 9 in that it features the space shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Atlantis landing on a Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
street as opposed to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
or Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Hansen's first feature film entitled Spoon was co-directed by Copley in 2006 and shot using brand new camera technology. The supernatural thriller produced by Hansen, Quinlan and Copley stars Darren Boyd
Darren Boyd
Darren Boyd is an English actor well known for his roles in Smack the Pony, Green Wing, Whites and most recently for playing the role of John Cleese in Holy Flying Circus. He is a classically trained singer, and played a jazz musician in NBC’s Watching Ellie...
and Rutger Hauer. Copley left Hansen to finish the project when he was offered the lead role of Wikus Van Der Merwe in District 9. Spoon's long-awaited release is expected sometime in 2010. Hansen was instrumental in the development of the si2k which was used for the first time on Spoon and later on Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
for which that film won the Academy Award for cinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
.
In 2005 Simon and Sharlto produced the short film directed by Neill Blomkamp entitled Alive in Joburg. The film features a documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
account of aliens living in South African township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
s and is the basis for the 2009 summer blockbuster District 9 which starred Copley. Hansen also directed some of the scenes in District 9.
In 2009 Hansen produced Pumzi
Pumzi
-External links:* at Pumzithefilm.com* at SCI-CULTURA...
, a short film which features a future sci-fi world without water, 35 years after 'The Water War'. Pumzi (which is Swahili for "Breath") is written and directed by young Kenyan director Wanuri Kahui. The short is part of the Focus Features backed Africa First Program and is officially in competition at Sundance 2010. The film boasts high production values for its tiny budget which is something Hansen is known for.
Visual Effects
Hansens company Atomic Visual Effects has produced 3D animation and visual effectsVisual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
for Spoon, What the Bleep do We (k)now, The Breed and Pumzi. Hansen also supervised the visual effects on Lost City Raiders, and the TV series Crusoe
Inspired Minority Pictures - Perfect 10
Inspired Minority Pictures is producing 10 Low budget filmLow budget film
A low-budget film is a motion picture shot with little or no funding from a major film studio or private investor. Many Independent films are made on low budgets but films made on the mainstream circuit with unexperienced or unknown filmmakers can also have low budgets. Many young or first time...
s and has taken over 100 submissions and conducted 4 workshops throughout South Africa. Hansen believes the process of making Spoon has shown the way for film makers to take full advantage of the new world offered through technology and innovation and refers to Spoon as the project which proved it. He calls it "a big film in a small films body". and is currently collaborating with young South African talent to produce a slate of 10 low budget, high impact, commercial independent features based on Spoons production model. Hansen intends to use technology and innovation to turn low budget films into more bankable commercial properties.
External links
- Simon Hansen on IMDB
- Twitchfilm Simon Hansen heads to Sundance
- Spoon on IMDB
- Channel 24 Spoon article