Joshua Rous:Writer & Director
Joshua Rous is an award winning Writer/Director who has worked and studied in both theatre and film in South Africa, Oxford, Boston and Los Angeles. Having attained his Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from the University of Southern California he worked for a year as an editor and director in Hollywood.
Joshua’s music video Tragic Laughter, commissioned by Yo Yo Ma, was released by Sony Classical in May of 2005. Other achievements include winning SAFTA Golden Horns as Best Director for his short film Sibahle, Best Writing Team and Best New Sitcom for City Ses’la, and the audience award for his short film The Atkins Angels. He gained experience working with Adam Schroeder Entertainment at Warner Brothers, and has been personally mentored by Oscar winners Robert C. Jones and Mark Harris.
Josh returned to SA in 2004 and has become a Head Creative and In-House Director at Black Brain Pictures. He is currently head writing a 13 part one hour drama for SABC 3 entitled Borderline which he will direct in late 2007. Returning to South Africa to revolutionize the film industry is the culmination of many years of preparation, perseverance and passion for this young director.
Cuz Lindsay:
Producer
Cuz is a multi-talented and highly experienced line producer. She has worked in every genre of the film industry over the past 18 years for local and international companies. Recent projects include the SABC's well known Hardcopy and The Lab. Her projects have won Buscas’, Louries and awards in London and New York and more recently SAFTA Golden Horns.
The discerning eye of a painter and sculptress combined with sound budgeting and financial skills, and high-level project management experience, make her a pretty unique and eminently sound member of the team.
Anel Alexander:Production & Performance
Anel Alexander is most known for her role as Liesl in the popular SA soapie 7de Laan.
She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Pretoria with a degree in Drama in 2002. During her time at the university she performed at the State Theatre in the musicals The Witness and Jesu-An African Portrait. She also joined theatre legend Nicholas Ellenbogen on stage at the KKNK in the play The Calitzdorp Passion.
After completing her degree, Anel was soon to be seen showing off her musical and dancing abilities in the cabaret show Blondes. It wasn’t long after that she found herself snatched up by 7de Laan to be their ‘ugly duckling turns swan beauty’, Liesl.
Since then, she’s been infront of the camera involved in well known TV shows like, Zero Tolerance 3, Amalia 2 and Hillside. In between her TV work Anel’s love for the theatre has kept her involved in many arts festival productions, most recently Bosryk where she shared the stage with the likes of Gys de Villiers. She also co-produced and performed in the popular Discreet, Upmarket, 24/7 at the Grahamstown National Artsfestival (2005 & 2006) and KKNK (2006). Anel was most recently seen in the M-Net medical drama Binnelanders.
James Alexander:
Writer & Performer
One of South Africa’s up and coming leading men, James Alexander, is a versatile performer in both English and Afrikaans. A natural talent, he has honed his skills over 6 years of working professionally and involving himself in exciting and challenging projects.
His theatre career has seen him perform in comedies such as Alan Ayckbourn’s Damsels in Distress for Pieter Toerien, to the timeless drama Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, playing opposite the great Trix Pienaar.
On TV he has done everything from live presenting on the hit M-Net reality show Project Fame to acting in popular soapie-dramas like Binnelanders.
His voice is also very recognizable as he often finds himself behind the microphone, bringing to life the latest campaigns of some of SA’s top brands.
Film though, is where James’ real passion lies. Having played the leading role in The Eastern Bride, a Dutch / SA co-production and appearing in the BBC’s most expensive mini-series ever made, To the Ends of the Earth, James showed himself to have a captivating on-screen presence.
Continually developing himself, James started to hone his writing skills with the popular play Discreet, Upmarket, 24/7.He subsequently enjoyed being a part of the writing team for the hugely popular SABC comedy series, City Ses’La. He continues to develop stories for both theatre and TV whilst pursuing his primary passion, performing.
Meren Reddy:Producer
Meren Reddy matriculated from the National School of the Arts with exemption after which he completed an undergraduate and post graduate degree from AFDA. He majored in Physical Performance, Performance for Film and Stage, Writing and Producing and believes that the world has too much information and that there’s too much to learn for people to be interested in just one thing.
Meren co-created City Ses'La and worked as one of the core writers on the show. Currently brokering deals with Sprite, Renault and FNB for corporates and commercials being produced by Black Brain Pictures, he is fast becoming one of the power players in South African film and television.
With various hit theater productions to his name, among them De Wet’s Dream, Baie Nice, Reddy Steady Go, and Fly, Meren is one of the authorities on top class theater. He is currently developing The Big 5, an action adventure show scheduled to be launched throughout Africa in 2008.
Mandla Ndimande:
Marketing Director
Mandla Ndimande is an ambitious young man who obtained a BA degree in producing from AFDA. Since then he has starred in four award winning MNET short films, Skitter Wit, Black Sushi, Senter and Scared instinct.
Mandla is now the Executive Producer at BBP where he has brought in work from FNB, YFM, MNET and numerous independent music labels. His talents in the music industry have led to producing the SAMA award nominated music video I life Iskorokoro by "Brothers of Peace". His own group, Gang of Instrumentals, has recently been heard at # 1 on the High 5 @ 5 with their hit track My Number One. In between all of this he is producing Black Brain’s new one hour drama, Borderline, for the SABC.
Mandla was instrumental in forming a co-production deal between BBP and Endemol SA to produce City Ses'La and not only acted in the series but was also an Associate Producer. With a silver tongue and a business savvy second to none, this is the man you want marketing your film.
