With 20 years' experience in feature films, commercials, actuality and music videos, Jonathan H. Pienaar has garnered a reputation as one of South Africa's most respected video producers and editors.
Together with co-founder of Modern Times, Sophia Phirippides, Jonathan shares numerous awards, including the CNN Journalist of the Year Award, Telkom ICT Award and the Citadel Words on Money Award.
Ground-breaking work done by Modern Times includes a documentary series on Mark Shuttleworth's quest to be the first African in space; an expose on 'Kamp Staaldraad' - a training camp for the SA rugby team that included ritual humiliation; and a documentary insert on internet bank hacking which made SA financial institutions change their 'net access policies.
Jonathan's portfolio of work for the business sector includes commercials and corporate videos for the likes of Guardian National Insurance, DStv, Price Waterhouse, M-Net Broadcast Services, Tracker Network, Lufthansa, M-Net (various on-air), ICL Computers, Coca-Cola, Software Futures, Resolution Health, Toyota/Lexus, Ubambo Holdings, Avroy Shlain, Ster-Kinekor, Phoenix Beer (Mauritius) and SABC Broadcast.
A regular producer for Carte Blanche, Pienaar also edited the movie trailer for Tsotsi in collaboration with Gavin Hood, produced the documentary "The Making of Tsotsi"; co-wrote and edited the trailer for Bill Flynn's final movie 'Running Riot' (with Paul Slabolepszy); and created "Go Open" a 13-part television series aired on SABC3 which promoted the use of open source software.
Jonathan works from his production facility in Randburg, near M-Net which has three HD edit suits, two final mix sound studios, and the requisite HD camera rigs required for making top end videos, commercials and documentaries.
A strong background in journalism, writing and editing enables Pienaar to bring maturity, experience, aesthetic craft and a strong narrative focus to projects.
Jonathan is inspired by the great filmmakers, from Francois Truffaut to Martin Scorcese.
