The short film, Icarus Rising, is written and directed by Michael Wilson, an Ebotse Golf and Country Estate resident and AFDA student.
The crew shot the film over the week of July 12 to 19, in several locations in both Benoni and Boksburg.
The City Times joined the crew on set for the second day in Ebotse Golf and Country Estate and the penultimate day of shooting when a key scene was shot in the old Rynfield Shopping Centre.
Icarus Rising deals with the emotional and psychological journey of an over-the-hill superhero, who is faced with failure and the hatred of letdown fans.
“I love super heroes, I grew up with comics and superhero stories, it became a part of me throughout high school. It’s a very personal story for me in that regard, as I watched these kind of films growing up,” said Wilson.
“In this film, we’re going for an action drama and the style can be described as Chronicle meets Man of Steel.”
The film’s producer, Romancia Reneke, explained why she chose to work on Wilson’s film. “For me stories that resonate with me emotionally are the strongest,” said Reneke.
Both Wilson and Reneke, along with Brendan Wasserman (cinematographer), Zeenit Jacobs (offline editor), Joseph Putter (lead actor) and Xenie Pernet (production and costume design, make-up and hairstyling) are in their honours or fourth year of study at AFDA and have big plans for the future.
Pernet said she loves her role as it allows her to create her own version of the character and settings in the story. Although a director’s input is a strong factor in the final look, she feels there is a bit of her in each film she works on.
Wasserman said he wants to go bigger because his goal is to work in Hollywood.
“I’ve always had a passion for film, but only realised this was what I wanted during a gap year,” said Wasserman.
Work on the film started with pre-production in early February and post-production is expected to end in November.
With principal photography of the film now concluded, the crew enters into post-production during which all the footage and sound will be cut together to form a seamless presentation of the written story.
Jacobs, the editor, will be most active during post-production.
“As editor I want different shots that I can work with, to let the story flow, whilst making it aesthetically pleasing at the same time,” said Jacobs.
To draw in an audience for the film, the filmmakers are expected to organise their own marketing campaigns.
“We will definitely use social media more than anything else to advertise the film and reach our intended audience,” said Reneke.
Wilson and Reneke said Icarus Rising will be screened in late November at a pre-selected Ster Kinekor Cinema Nouveau.
