South Africa trip

[Spike Baumann]

Hey all,

Our crew is heading to South Africa to shoot some sharks and other things. We are staying in Cape Town and I'm wondering is there anything we need to watch out for besides shots, kidnapping, and sharks!

Thanks
Spike

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

I just got back from Johannesburg and Cape Town last month actually. In terms of safety, Cape Town is much better than Joburg, but still can be dangerous. Just be aware of your surroundings and don't leave anything unattended; common sense kinda stuff. In Johannesburg, we were required to have armed security with us at all times and weren't allowed to leave the hotel at night; it can get pretty hairy there in some spots.

Most importantly, South Africa is subject to rolling blackouts; they often times don't have enough power to go around, so the government will shut the power off in certain areas to conserve and divert power to more heavily populated areas. So, whenever you have access to power, take advantage of it and always keep your batteries and other electronics topped off; you never know when you might not have power for 12-24hrs. We were lucky and didn't have any issues with blackouts while we were there, but that was a month ago when they were still winter, so the whole country hadn't turned on their A/C yet. You'll probably be fine, but it's something to be aware of.

Also, make sure you have the proper power adapters. In my research, I thought that SA used a certain type of adapter, but when I arrived I found that most places were using an older style adapter that looks like this - http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lRjpiUpsL._SX300_.jpg

Have a great time, Cape Town is pretty breathtaking. Point your camera in any direction and it'll look amazing in 6K

 

[Aaron McLane]

Definitely pick up a Glock as soon as you can, very easy to get, most hotel door guys and drivers can get you connected and you can sell back when you leave.

 

[Spike Baumann]

Thanks. Good info to know.

We will have 3 armed security guards with us.

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

Definitely pick up a Glock as soon as you can, very easy to get, most hotel door guys and drivers can get you connected and you can sell back when you leave.

While getting a hand gun in SA from, shall we say, "A less than legal source," may be possible, keep in mind that a formal license is required in SA to obtain and possess a hand gun for self-defense.

See: http://www.loc.gov/law/help/firearms-control/southafrica.php

And, the penalty for unlawful possession could be a prison term. See above. I don't know about you, but the thought of spending a couple years in a SA prison doesn't sound too appealing to me.

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Thanks. Good info to know.

We will have 3 armed security guards with us.

That's plenty. I really see no reason to get a fricken gun if you have armed security with you. Leave it to the professionals.

 

[Justin Campos]

Lol, South Africa is considered a dangerous country, but Ive heard guys getting robbed at knight point in Sweden, which has never happened to me in 17 years of shooting all over Cape Town/Johannesburg, without security gaurds.

Iv'e shot without security in Cape Town countless times.
Just don't go go walking on the beach at night alone, and stay away from the infamous area called "Cape Flats" in "Mitchells Plein", and stay away from the "townships"(informal settlements/poor areas) and the area "Bo-Kaap"
Dont go to the train station at night in the city centre.

Have your wits about you, keep doors locked.
At night if you want to go out out, try restaurants on Main Road in Green point, or go to the V&A waterfront in "Sea Point" for entertainment/shops/restaurants.

Blackouts are real, so keep charged up.

Great news is our currency is weak, and things are generally cheaper than most countries. For instance, a 300g (0,6pound) fillet steak costs around $10, and a cheeseburger around $6, and some of the restaurants have a michelin stars holding chef preparing your food.
If you have time, do the "Red Bus" city tour, they take you to a lot of the city's best sight seeing spots.
Its an awesome place and lots of beautiful scenery, you gonna love it there, and it was recently voted #1 best tourist destination in the world!
Ive attached a shot of the unsafe areas for you.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zTxHHL1gy4wo.k58R_GPCSAFk&hl=en&usp=sharing


Contact me if you need any info/contacts for crew and equipment etc as crew are well priced, equipment a plenty.
justin at gorilla films dot co dot za

 

[Mike Hechanova]

Thanks Justin. We could use some redmags and possibly some lights. Spike or I will shoot you an email. Appreciate all the info and help, everyone.

 

[Spike Baumann]

Justin I'm going to email you.

 

[Robert Andriessen]

I was in Cape town for a couple of weeks in Feb, it's really safe everywhere in the bowl and seapoint etc., just avoid townships. Also I can recommend Panavision for fair prices on red mag rentals. Sunshine lighting is also great to get some lights/lenses and are willing to rent to out of town clients.

 

[Matthew Quinn]

here is a good tip. when people come ask you your name tell them a crazy Russian name or something they cant spell, cuz 5 min later you will have: a Sea Shell, braided Bracelet, and T-shirt with your name on it, it was uncomfortable, and i ended up with lots of stuff i didn't want. I would have rather just give out money rather than carry around a bunch of stuff so after a day i changed my name in Africa to Maxim Afenoginov! most of the souvenir guys just moved on.

 

[Andreas Mendritzki]

Yeah, obviously be careful when shooting with gear, but Cape Town is pretty safe. I'm here visiting my 90 year old grandmother. She still drives herself around, no problems - and she doesn't even cary no glock!

Oh, and ps. Its insanely beautiful.