Chloe Iacovou from Standerton is ready to conquer the film industry

Ms Chloe Iacovou, film student from Standerton, considers herself and her fellow-students a little bit crazy and weird, but artsy.

This outgoing daughter of Nick and Dianne Iacovou began studying for a degree in Durban three years ago.

“My parents were over the moon when I decided on this field of study,” Chloe said.

“It’s everyone’s dream.”

Father Nick from Greek heritage, married a South African woman, and both are keen on the cinema releases.

They whet their daughter’s appetite for a future career.

Chloe has one sister, Alexia who was a learner at Hoërskool Standerton before the pandemic, changing to online school in April 2020, during the lockdown.

Alexia is busy with Grade 10.

Although born in Durban, Chloe attended Kosmos Private Academy in Standerton before completing her matric year at Hoërskool Standerton.

When reminiscing about high school years, she admitted to being fairly ambitious, either seeing her name in print or on the screen.

That was her message beneath her matric photo at SHS.

Both dreams will be realised, apart from the interview, since a 12-minute-film in the making, will be shown in cinemas of Ster Kinekor.

The curriculum at the film school is almost the same as that of a university, covering all aspects of filmmaking.

“It is a difficult course,’ she added.

“We were 100 students in our first year and the number dwindled to 40 in the second year.

“It is quite stressful.”

Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCapprio undoubtedly are admired for their acting abilities and producer and director and James Cameron takes top honours for steering a cast towards acclaimed success.

Chloe prefers movies with action and drama themes, focusing on the humane aspect, considers herself adept with a four-digital-camera and comfortable with production design.

She interviewed Kyle Stroebel, colour grader for the Oscar-winning, ‘My Octopus Teacher’, taking inspiration from his advice on how to thrive in the industry.

“I am majoring in data and grading,” this final year student said.

Graduation will take place in February next year.

The holiday will not be spent lazing in the sun, but working on the 12-minute-footage to make a longer version and there will be someone at her side, of course.

Chloe is seeing a man who is studying towards the same degree.

Maybe Indie pop will be playing in the background and a Greek dish simmering on the stove.

She is under no illusions about what a career in film-making will demand.

“You need to be good with people,” she commented.

With an active student life on the coast, social interaction is par for the course.

When it gets down to reading, British writer, Roald Dahl is a firm favourite, especially his children’s books..

“I am passionate about what I’m doing,” she concluded.