Former Standertonian climbs the ladder of success
She now lectures at AFDA Durban as a tutor for first-year students, guiding them through the motion picture subjects offered at the institution.
Chloe Iacovou is making a name for herself in the film-making industry.
The daughter of Nick and Dianne Iacovou from Standerton and her team received the Simon Sabela Award for their production titled Winterslaap.
Winterslaap was their AFDA Honours film project.
“It was a gruelling, yearlong collaborative process with many long trips from Durban to the Underberg to establish locations, recruit local extras and animals, and have a few test shoots before our official 10-day production,” Chloe said.
“It was incredibly difficult when torrential rain caused our schedule to get behind by two days and our cars almost slid off cliffs trying to drive to locations.
“Load-shedding was never on our side, and a few crew members left the shoot early, which put a strain on the production.
“We often joked the film was cursed. However, it was still an incredible learning experience that promoted personal growth within me.”
She thanked her two directors, Daniel Howells and Lee Brown, for guiding the crew through thick and thin.
Of the many submitted films four were nominated for the Best Student Film prize. Two films of her contemporaries at AFDA were nominated as well.
Winterslaap is 30 minutes long and now in the running to win prize money at the Durban International Film Festival.
“We would most certainly use the money to fund another film,” Chloe emphasised.
They decided on the title after many attempts.
“It perfectly captures the state of the fictional world – a tired, desolate and sorrowful landscape devoid of life, perhaps waiting to be woken up from its slumber,” she said.
“It also relates to the mentality of the inhabitants of the land – gloomy and weak, searching for something to give them hope.”
One of her team’s accomplishments in the past was a film called Calf, was selected for the Durban festival as well.
Chloe attended the Kosmos Private Academy in Standerton before completing her matric year at Hoërskool Standerton.
She now lectures at AFDA Durban as a tutor for first-year students, guiding them through the motion picture subjects offered at the institution.
Her long-term aspirations have not changed since the interview in May last year. Colour-grading is her passion.
“I would love to continue my work as a colour-grader, a post-production skill I majored in. I also love working with animals on set, creating costumes and location scouting.”
Chloe concluded, saying her hope is to be involved in the industry in any way possible.
