Post-production gladiators come from Ludus

Ludus at the Loeries

Named after an ancient Roman school known for producing gladiators, the post-production company slays all creative giants and wins every war for its clients – Offering a facility that caters for the needs of production houses, directors and agencies alike. Ludus takes pride in being all about supporting its ‘work-family’, with the team spending so much time at the office that nurturing a family-culture is imperative.

“One only needs to look at our social media to see that we are all about sharing this story with our clients, suppliers and friends. We are all about making our days memorable and exciting for both our clients and ‘The Fam’," says Ludus Client Liaison and Senior Producer Mandy Biart.

In a perfectly diverse creative world

“Historically, our industry hasn’t been a leader in diversity and inclusion,” says Biart. But, Ludus is committed to promoting South African women of colour to prominent positions to bring about real change. She continues: “It's important that our industry corrects the ratios and ensures women, and most importantly women of colour have a seat at the creative table.” Due to the gender bias gap, Ludus is committed to seeking out female talent for any new career opportunities that arise. All senior positions are held by women.

Biart goes on to explain that the company take various steps in order to safeguard female employees against unwanted attention, as well as give them a voice in the organisation - A ‘velocity matters’ meeting is held once a week, which sets out the roadmap of what needs to be accomplished - on time and on budget. These are run by Ludus’ female managing director, Ashleigh Oates, and implemented by the all-women team of producers.

Celebrating Ludus women

How does Ludus live out its focus on people and talent above all else?

‘The Fam’ (the Ludus team) is considered among the most valuable assets that the Ludus has. “They contribute to the mission and the company's overall success, which means it’s worth investing in them in order to motivate them to provide their best work,” comments Biart.

According to Ludus philosophy, the key to developing ‘The Fam’ to the utmost of their potential is understanding their drives and what motivates them – getting to know what will reach and inspire them to push themselves further. “Placing greater responsibility on someone’s shoulders might seem like a burden for some, but for others it serves as a reward and motivation. It’s a show of faith on your part in their abilities, and a demonstration of your belief that they’re capable of handling more,” Biart concludes.

Telling better creative stories

As post-production partners for The Loeries 2019, Ludus also believes in pushing South African creatives to tell better, more diverse and authentic stories, encouraging industry players to work together to retain the value of their crafts and find new solutions which offer clients the best creative talent. Mark Ash, Senior Offline Editor, elaborates: "Our industry needs to pull together and unite as creatives rather than chip away at each other. Rather create synergy and greater capacity through collaboration with like-minded people, re-imagining the current way of working and rendering it far more inclusive. Doing so is the only way in which collective longevity can be ensured in an industry in flux."

Since the Loerie Awards offer the most prestigious industry accolades on the continent, it is the ideal fit for Ludus, as the company’s corporate responsibility focus is to partner important events like this one. The Loeries post-production needs are diverse and road-mapped well in advance, months before the actual awards. As a facility, Ludus has the necessary capacity to roll out these requirements on time throughout the year.

This year, Ludus saw the following winning works at the Loeries:

In the category: Film - TV Cinema Commercials - Up to 90s – Nando’s 'You People’ (TV1A-19-11108):

Award: Silver
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: Mark Ash
Post Production: The Ludus
Agency: M&C Saatchi Abel
Account Management: Nadine Govender
Agency Art Director: Lubabalo Mtati
Agency Producer: Bronwyn Henry
Art Director/Stylist: Lauren Wilensky (Darling)
Brand Representative: Chief Marketing Officer
Chief Creative Officer: Neo Mashigo
Cinematography: Devin Tosseli
Creative Director: Jabulani Sigege
Executive Creative Director: Neo Mashigo
Film Director: Chloe Coetsee
Production Company: Darling Films
Media Agency: The Media Shop
Music Composer: Garrick Jones
Recording Studio: We Love Jam, Sterling Studios
Sound Designer: Arnold Vermaak (We Love Jam), Sean Williams (Sterling Sound)
Strategist: Makosha Maja-Rasethaba
Writer: Gabriella (Bella) Evans

In the category: Film - TV & Cinema Commercials - Up to 90s – Nando’s ‘Afrotising’ (TV1A-19-11668):

Award: Grand Prix
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: Andrew Traill
Agency: M&C Saatchi Abel
Account Management: Nadine Govender
Agency Art Director: Wade Barnes, Joshua De Kock
Agency Producer: Bronwyn Henry
Art Director/Stylist: Bobby Cardoso / Bee Diamondhead
Brand Representative: Doug Place
Chief Creative Officer: Neo Mashigo
Cinematographer: Adam Bentel
Creative Director: Wade Barnes, Joshua De Kock
Executive Creative Director: Gordon Ray
Film Director: Tebza Malope
Production Company: The Star Film Company
Music Composer: Tigerfight
Performance: Hamilton Dlamini, Khuli Chana
Producer: Adam Thal, Ashley Kadish
Recording Studio: Sterling Sound
Strategist: Keke Mahlelebe, Johannes Keiper, Jason Finklestein
Writer: Joshua de Kock, Wade Barnes
Post Production: The Ludus

In the category: Film - Direction - Up to 90s – Nando’s ‘Afrotising’ (TVWA-19-11124):

Award: Craft Certificate
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: Andrew Traill
Post Production: The Ludus
Agency: M&C Saatchi Abel
Account Management: Nadine Govender
Agency Art Director: Wade Barnes, Joshua De Kock
Agency Producer: Bronwyn Henry
Art Director/Stylist: Bobby Cardoso / Bee Diamondhead
Brand Representative: Doug Place
Chief Creative Officer: Neo Mashigo
Cinematographer: Adam Bentel
Creative Director: Wade Barnes, Joshua De Kock
Executive Creative Director: Gordon Ray
Film Director: Tebza Malope
Production Company: The Star Film Company
Music Composer: Tigerfight
Performance: Hamilton Dlamini, Khuli Chana
Producer: Adam Thal, Ashley Kadish
Recording Studio: Sterling Sound
Strategist: Keke Mahlelebe, Johannes Keiper, Jason Finklestein
Writer: Joshua de Kock, Wade Barnes
Post Production: The Ludus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRwiu-QsiSk

In the category: Film - Branded Content Film - Series, Outsurance ‘It’s a calling’ (TV1H-19-11888):

Award: Bronze
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: Mark Ash
Post Production: The Ludus
Agency: Outsurance
Executive Creative Director: Bryn Puchert
Film Director: Zee Ntuli
Production Company: Darling Films
Music Composer: Chris Letcher
Producer: Lorraine Smit, Melina McDonald, Mmameyi Mphahlele
Sound Designer: Lorens Perrson
Recording Studio: Sterling Sound
VFX Operator: Michael Naidoo

Outsurance - The Calling "Linda" Directors cut from Darling on Vimeo.

In the category: Effective Creativity, Huggies ‘Baby Marathon’ (XC1A-19-12287):

Award: Campaign Gold
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: James O'Sullivan
Post Production: The Ludus
Agency: Ogilvy South Africa
Film Director: Matthys Boshoff
Production Company: The Star Films Company
Music and Sound Design: Louis Enslin, Theo Potgieter
Creative Director: Catherine Wanliss, Gregory King
Chief Creative Officer: Pete Case
Executive Creative Director: Mariana O'Kelly
Art Director: Chantelle Dos Santos, Jade Amic, Suzanne Jenner

In the category: Film - Online Film - above 30s, Brand SA ‘The Prayer’ (TV1D-19-12365)”

Award: Silver
Editing company: The Ludus
Editor: Nick Gishen
Post Production: The Ludus
Agency: The Odd Number
Account Management: Kazi Mestile
Agency Art Director: Elzanri Kirsten, Sbu Sitole
Agency Producer: Shoni Nekhabambe
Brand Representative: Sithembile Ntombela, Tshepiso Malele
Chief Creative Officer: Sbu Sitole
Cinematography: Brendan Barnes
Executive Creative Director: Terry McKenna
Film Director: Ernest Nkosi
Production Company: Seriti Films
Performance: Richard Njoku
Recording Studio: Sterling Sound
Sound Designer: Sean Williams
VFX Opperater: Michael Naidoo
Writer: Neema Nouse, Terry McKenna

If you’re interested in working with one of the most creative, diverse and motivated teams, get in touch!

Website: https://www.ludus.co.za/
Instagram: upstairs_ludus
Tel: JHB (011) 326 2827, CT (021) 461 8400
Producers:
JHB az.oc.sudul@norehs
JHB az.oc.sudul@ydnam
CT az.oc.sudul@awsidnaht