Wim Steytler Interview(s)

I prefer to do edgy, provocative work and blur the lines between narrative and documentary film-making. In all my films I love honor the resilience of ordinary, everyday heroes and capture the stories of the underdog and those on the margins.

I majored in art and then worked as an editor for a quite a few years. While I was editing, I started directing my own passion projects, which opened the door to commercial work.

It’s always hard to have to compromise aspects of your vision when you work for clients, but in the end, they are ones who pay, so I had to learn to find a happy medium

When a client trusts you to do something new and innovative.

When I’m not working on a commercial pitch, or on a shoot, I’m actively working on my screenplay for my upcoming first feature.

I choose to be so prepared, that most of my work is done before the shoot. On set, my job is just to keep the crew on course to stay loyal to the agreed vision and execution. I’m also lucky to have a strong production team behind me, who not only take care of the logistics, but are great with making everybody feel comfortable on set.

My best job would be a TV commercial for Spar, where I could bring in my music video and docu style sensibility into the retail space and create a piece that is fresh and out of the box for the brand. My worst job probably the same piece, as I sometimes had to fight tooth and nail stay on treatment.

Never stop doing passion work as this will inform the commercial work you get. You need the mindset and endurance of marathon runner. It doesn’t come easy. Also grow the skin of rhinoceros but keep the heart of a poet.

My music video for Heazer.

It's not a glamorous gig and every job is a job interview.