When creating a feature-length film proved too costly, Louis Janse van Rensburg got creative. In a new experience for South Africa, Louis has led the creation of the first ‘Podcast Film’!
South Africa (17 April 2024) — Writer, producer, entrepreneur and CEO of NPO Heavy Chef Foundation, Louis Janse van Rensburg, had big dreams of creating a feature-length film. But, when the expense of this kind of dream presented itself as a massive obstacle, Louis faced a crossroads. Throw the dream away, or get creative. It was the latter that ultimately led Louis to creating South Africa’s very first ‘podcast film’!
“I flipped the script (so to speak) and self-funded and produced an original screenplay now available as SA’s first ‘Podcast Film’…a movie experience for your ears,” Louis tells Good Things Guy.
Drawing inspiration from coming-of-age classics like Stand By Me and The Breakfast Club, Louis got to work on creating his own take on the genre, written in Afrikaans as South Africa’s own Ballade vir n Enkeling, Reisigers.
The narrative tells the story of four best friends—Jouba, Slabs, Mario and Monty who reunite on what is far more than merely a road trip back to their home town. Throughout their trip, they confront past and future, loss and belonging, and ultimately a journey to rediscovery.
“This is not just a film, but an immersive cinematic experience for the ears,” Louis shares.
“Through powerful storytelling, original music, and captivating sound design, we aim to transport listeners into the world of Jouba, Slabs, Mario & Monty.”
Featuring a stellar cast including Jacques de Villiers from Joshua Na Die Reën, Luan Jacobs, Deon Meiring, and Wernard Van Zyl, against the sound design by seasoned music producer Gideon Botes and music composed by Joshua Na Die Reën, Reisigers took many talents to come to life.
A community effort in many ways, production was further made possible with support from family and friends and the NG Elarduspark Gemeente.
But, beyond bridging a new world between podcasts and films, Louis hopes that Reisigers will also play its part in changing the South African storytelling landscape.
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“South Africa has many talented writers, but the barriers to producing a screenplay are significant,” Janse van Rensburg notes. “Yet, we have a rich legacy of storytelling and radio dramas in this country, while the field of sound design and creative fictional podcasts is bursting with new opportunities for stories to come alive.”
“If Reisigers can inspire and contribute even a little bit to unlocking a new era in storytelling innovation among local writers and creatives, that would be an unplanned but welcome surprise to this passion project.”—Louis Janse van Rensburg.
You can catch the podcast film on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.
Sources: Louis Janse van Rensburg
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