kristen van niekerk.
kristen van niekerk.
South Africa
videographer
Please could you describe what you do in a sentence and why.
I'm a creative and a filmmaker. I don’t limit myself to the one because my mind doesn’t tend to stick with one. I have always enjoyed being able to put things together and construct images. What I do, whatever it may be, makes me happy and that’s why I do it.
When did the creative bug bite?
I think about several years ago, maybe in 2009. I had discovered YouTube and wanted to test my abilities out. I had a lot of energy and ended up creating a stop-motion lyric video with an old Nokia phone. The video did well and from that point onwards, I constantly wanted to edit videos, film, do whatever I could to create content. I do think that prior to this, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting and creating.
Did you always want to do, what you currently do?
Growing up, my interests have always changed - I went from wanting to be a comedian to wanting to be an astronaut, an animator and then finally in the film industry.
What is the best thing about your work?
There is time to be on your own. I love people but there’s something about switching off what’s around you to put all of your energy into a piece you’re working on.
Explain the concept/inspiration behind your favorite project
Die Kaapse Kind to this day is my favourite project - it’s a short film about a young person just going about his day - he does his chores, goes to the shop with his friends to buy a Jive and they could to the arcade to play King of Fighters before returning home - it sounds simple but I see my life in Die Kaapse Kind. I was inspired by my childhood and I wanted to immortalise the feeling of nostalgia. I wanted to immortalise a happiness from my youth.
What is the motto you live by?
Cheesy but my motto is that it always seems impossible until it’s done.
What makes you happy?
Being able to live a privileged life with those I love makes me happy.
Where do you currently live and work?
I currently live in Observatory in Cape Town and I work at the Visual Content Gang - a production agency where I’ve had the privilege of creating dope content.
Describe how you got to your current position?
Luck, hard work and passion.
Describe how you were chosen as one of the Emerging Creatives at the Design Indaba. Why exactly do you think you were chosen?
I personally think my passion project - A Day In The Life of Die Kaapse Kind - caught the eye of Design Indaba. It was a piece dear to my heart and my childhood. I think that with the fact that it was nominated for awards and officially selected by The Bokeh South African International Fashion Film Festival.
Where do you live and work?
I currently live in Observatory in Cape Town and I work at the Visual Content Gang - a production agency where I’ve had the privilege of creating dope content.
Explain/Describe your Creative Process
There is no process. If I’m working on a project for work, I organise and get right into it. My own projects are a bit trickier - I procrastinate, doubt and I worry before I really do anything. Once I really get into it, there’s no stopping me.
Could you please list some of your biggest achievements?
Currently, my biggest achievements include being selected as an emerging creative for The Bokeh South African International Fashion Film Festivaland receiving nominations for my film Die Kaapse Kind - it was the first film I made outside of my university and it was officially selected for The Bokeh South African International Fashion Film Festivalas well as nominated for best sound and music as well as the emerging creative award. I was also selected as one of the 40 emerging creatives for Design Indaba which was a big achievement for me.
What are your thoughts on the Afrikan Creative Industry?
I’m incredibly excited for the work being produced currently - music, films, photography, design. It’s heading in a new direction fueled by identity and politics and passion. It’s inspiring to see what can be done and I’m proud of those putting out their best work but also of those who are struggling to produce. I know it can be tough to be in that position.
How do you think the Afrikan Creative industry is moving foreword?
I think that in each moment, people become less afraid of putting out what they fear and what they believe in.
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Do you think that Afrikan Creatives have a lot to offer in terms of the Global Creative Market?
Definitely! There’s a richness to our work that cannot be found anywhere.
How are you contributing to the Afrikan Creative Industry?
I’m trying to create work that represents who I want to see and if one person can relate, that’s enough for me. I’m not trying to change the world through my work but if it does have that impact, I’ll be pretty happy.
Are there any Afrikan Creatives that influence your work? If so please name and state why they influence you as a creative.
Definitely - it might not be seen in my work but they’re creatives I’m inspired by.
Darkie Fiction- Their music takes me back to a whole new world and a world I’m very familiar with - which always inspires me to push myself harder.
Tony Gum- Her growth has been wonderful to watch and her art is constantly becoming bigger and more outstanding.
Jenna Bass, Loren Loubser, Kelly-Eve Koopman, Sarah Summers and Kim Windvogel - I cannot be influenced or inspired without mentioning these names. They might not know that they inspire me but they sure as hell do. They are each putting out dope work, they’re incredible people and they’re just getting out there.
Dr Ashraf Jamal- an old lecturer who might not remember me but he influenced me from the first day I stepped into his class. He taught me how to be fearless.
Has social media made an influence on the success of your work? If so how?
Yes and no, I’ve managed to gain more attention through social media but it doesn’t impact the success too much.
How can people connect with you if they would like to?
Website: Coming Soon.
Instagram: @kristeniscalm
Twitter:@diekaapsekind
Facebook:Coming Soon.