AFDA in the district

Stephanie Macrides and Richard Ray have been involved with District 9 from its early conception. In 2007, a friend of theirs and ex-school mate, Sharlto Copley, had discovered Stephanie via a family friend. “I was fresh out of AFDA and looking to start working in my industry,” Stephanie says. Together with Niel Blomkamp and Sharlto Copely, she began her venture on District 9 whilst shooting the Halo Xbox trailer.

A year later the group were informed that Peter Jackson would be producing the movie. “We availed ourselves for free with Kalahari pictures through Sharlto and within a couple of weeks we had worked our way into higher, paid positions,” Stephanie said. The group was fortunate as they watched a small, low-budget short movie evolve into an astounding high-budget international feature. Stephanie explains that it was an amazing opportunity and the knowledge she gained during the course of the year was immeasurable.

District 9 created new dimensions for the enthusiastic filmmaker. She has produced a short film in association with Sharlto Copely, which is soon to be released, where Jason Cope and Eugene Khumbanyiwa of District 9 stars in. Stephanie pleasingly says that she is currently directing a short and in pre-production on another film.

The AFDA Alumni District 9 crew:

Stephanie Macrides - Travel and Accommodation Co-ordinator/Production
Richard Ray - Second Assistant Camera
Lesedi Siswana - Production Secretary/Production
Amy Yeats - Clapper/Loader B Camera
De Villier Fourie - On set P.A.
Jamie Ramsay - Doco Unit DOP
Basiami Segola - Doco Unit Sound
N'cee van Heerden - Behind the Scenes Camera/Production