Films Archives | Moonlighting Films

Celebrating the crew behind the service: up close & personal with our chaperones in 3 short films

Jan 10, 2022 | Commercials, Films, General, Shooting in COVID

Watch our short films featuring Capetonians Andrew Raeburn and Elmarie Raubenhimer. (and coming soon – Marco Bacchetta).

Ask any South African producer which crew they call first when a job is looking likely. Right up there with the Art Director, DP and other key crew are the chaperones – and that’s if the client hasn’t already called them. It’s not surprising when you consider that chaperones probably spend more time with the clients than anyone else on a shoot.

Chaperones play a crucial role in a client’s journey when they come to Cape Town. We decided to take a closer look at this South African production service phenomenon and spent some time with three of Cape Town’s finest: What makes them tick, what do they do, what are some of the million anecdotes they must be able to tell? That however was where they drew the line. Integrity is their middle name and therein lies one of the many secrets to their success.

What does a chaperone do? Let’s start with tour-guide, driver, friend, butler, production assistant, personal shopper, therapist, safe-space, production liaison, surf instructor, precision driver… slightly more than the oft-misconstrued assumption of being just a driver.

In the 18^th century, chaperones would escort young ladies when they ventured out into society to ensure they were never alone with a gentleman. Fast forward a couple of hundred years and here they are in South African production, tasked with looking after our international clients. They are quite literally the first person they meet on arrival in Cape Town and the last person they see before they board the plane.

There’s the tangible, more obvious side of the role: as Marco Bacchetta says, “a client arrives here, they may not know anything about this country – and now they’ve been given someone who is here to help them with whatever they need. To make sure they get to wherever they are meant to be and do all the things they want to do.” Chaperones work together with production, from driving the clients around as per the production schedule, helping them with whatever they need, taking them sightseeing on a down-day to booking restaurants. They have the ability and contacts to secure & then cancel a table for 12 at Cape Town’s most sought-after restaurant and then book it again the following night, without upsetting the maître ‘d.

Then there’s the intangible, the magic. As Elmarie Raubenheimer puts it, “We create a secure environment for the clients in which they can work without worrying about lunch or sunscreen or did I bring my hat? They are out of their normal comfort zone. We’re a constant in a milieu that changes constantly.”

Discretion is non-negotiable. “Clients need a safe space” explains Andrew Raeburn. “The big part of chaperoning is the integrity.” Clients need to be able to have conversations while being driven around and be secure in the knowledge that they go no further. As Marco says, “My ears are blocked when I’m in the car.”

It takes a special kind of person to be a chaperone and service runs in their DNA – which explains why work for many of them doesn’t stop when they get home. During lockdown, Acghmat Van Der Schyff and Bash Kariel set up the NPO “Servants of Sustenance” and run a weekly soup kitchen in their local community; Andrew Raeburn set up the NPO “123Braai” when he came across a community living out in the bush near Atlantis Dunes. Elmarie Raubenheimer is the emergency liaison in her local community Neighbourhood Watch. Marco Bacchetta’s “Marco’s Kitchen” employs a team of ladies to makes his delicious aubergines based on an old family recipe that now sell in Spars and farmstalls around Cape Town.

Elmarie sums it up for us: “Cape Town is very lucky to have some of the best chaperones in the world and together we’re a great team and a force to be reckoned with.”

With thanks to all Cape Town chaperones, and to Elmarie Raubenheimer, Andrew Raeburn and Marco Bacchetta for giving us insight into their world.

The first two of Moonlighting’s short films: Celebrating the crew behind the service: Up close and personal with our chaperones can be seen here: Andrew Raeburn and Elmarie Raubenheimer.

Chaperones – Hout Bay 2021

a trio of chaperones 3

a trio of chaperones 2

a trio of chaperones 1

Team of 5 for Lays, Sweden – Marco, Adam, Carmen, Justin, Leonard

Andrew and Shayne on set 2

Marco, Elmarie and Bash on set

Marco on set 1

Elmarie on set 7

Elmarie on set 6

Elmarie on set 5

Elmarie on set 4

Elmarie on set 3

Elmarie on set 2

Elmarie on set 1

Andrew on set 4

Andrew on set 3

Andrew on set 1

← Most countries (including Canada, UK, USA, the EU, Israel, the UAE) are now open for travel to and from South Africa without quarantine

Moonlighting Films 2023 ©

Most countries (including Canada, UK, USA, the EU, Israel, the UAE) are now open for travel to and from South Africa without quarantine

Jan 7, 2022 | Commercials, Films, General, Shooting in COVID

MAN5872 800 x 500 BLOG TRAVEL NEWS 28 jAN 22

LATEST NEWS: Emirates resumes flights to & from South Africa & the Netherlands ends quarantine for travellers from South Africa from 29 January. Travel is now 100% open between South Africa and Canada, USA, the EU, the UK and most other countries. WELCOME BACK!

It is great to see production, clients and agency flying back to South Africa for our summer season. Travel to and from South Africa is now 100% back to normal, with Emirates resuming flights from 29 Jan and the Netherlands stopping quarantne for travellers from SA. Most countries have removed the need for quarantine if you’re fully vaccinated and can present a negative Covid test.

Here are all the details you need to know about entering South Africa. Scroll down for our grid that lists many countries’ travel requirements.

For any information on flying to or from South Africa and Visa requirements please contact beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za

ENTRY TO SOUTH AFRICA

Entry is open to all countries subject to the usual visa requirements. All travellers arriving in South Africa must complete an arrivals form & present the following:

a certificate of a negative PCR Covid test dated within 72 hours of departure for South Africa.
Proof of travel insurance with medical cover
Proof of accommodation

AIRLINES: With Emirates resuming flights from 29 January, most airlines’ South African service is back to normal! Airlines flying to SA include:
Air France, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

SAFETY PROTOCOLS
We remain on Level 1 which means minimum restrictions. Everything is open and there is no more curfew 🙂 South African safety protocols continue as before:
– Masks must be work in public with social distancing
– On set, we apply full safety protocols as mandated by the Commercial Producers Association and the City of Cape Town. You can read our production safety protocols here.

SHOOTING
Shooting continued throughout December with full safety protocols in place (with production & agency flying to South Africa and clients joining remotely). We are currently mid-production for January shoots and our season is getting busy as clients travel again.

VISA REQUIREMENTS (for film industry visitors travelling to South Africa with FIVA affiliated production companies).

Producers, Directors, Photographers, DOP’s, Client, Agency are categorised as Oversight & the following rules apply:
Nationals of a visa-exempt country:you will need to present an Oversight Visa Letter of Authority to immigration on arrival; this will be provided by your service company.
Nationals of a non-visa-exempt country:you will need to apply for a visa in advance from a South African Embassy as usual.

Actors, models, Assistant Directors, Stylists, Hair & make-up, Camera Operators and other roles – new rules apply:
1)Nationals from the list of 17 visa-exempt countries*may come in as Oversight for stays of up to 14 days (or 21 days with motivation from your service company), meaning no need for advance visa applications.
2)Nationals of all other countriesmust apply for specialist visas in advance from their nearest South African Embassy as usual.

*The 17 visa exempt countries for which the new rule applies: USA, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Please note the following:

This list is subject to change at any time and is for guidance purposes only. We also add more countries daily as we gather the updated info. For countries not on this list, please contact Moonlighting.

A person is only considered fully vaccinated after the designated amount of time has passed after their single dose vaccine or second double-dose vaccine. Please check that you have the required, approved vaccination documentation.

Country	Any quarantine?	Rules for citizens arriving *from* South Africa
Austria	No quarantine for “boosted” citizens	As of 25 December, Austrian and EU citizens & business travellers may enter Austria from South Africa without quarantine provided they are have received their booster vaccination (2^nd vax for Johnson & Johnson or 3^rd vax for other brands) and a present a negative PCR no older than 48 jours. For full info, See source site here.
Belgium	No Quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Arrivals must complete a Passnger Locator Form, must be fully vaccinated and must take a test on day 1; a negative test means no quarantine. Info can be found here.
Canada	No quarantine for fully vaccinated arrivals from South Africa, unless selected for a random arrivals test that proves to be positive.	Canadian citizens can enter Canada from South Africa subject to a negative PCR test. Fully vaccinated citizens are not subject to mandatory quarantine but may be randomy selected for an arrival test and quarantine depnding on their results. and quarantine. See source site here. All arrivals must also download the ArriveCAN app and fill out the necessary information.
China	Quarantine for arrivals in China	Arrivals in China are subject to 14 days mandatory quarantine in a government facility with an additional 7 days if arriving in Beijing. Arrivals must provide a PCR test and antibody test no older than 48 hours before direct flight to China. A full health declaration must be completed pre departure from and arrival back in China. Up to date info should be checked to ascertain feasability of any travel.
Denmark	No quarantine for fully vaccinated residents of Denmark / EU	Updated 27 Dec 21: No quarantine for fully vaccinated or recently recovered Danish and EU residents subject to a PCR no more than 72 hours old or a Rapid Antigens test no more than 48 hours old. For residents of other countries, strict proof of vaccination required as per set regulations. Source info here.
Egypt	Home quarantine for arrivals from South Africa	Travellers can enter Egypt from South Africa subject to a PCR test no older than 72 hours or an Antigens test no older than 24 hours and must enter home quarantine for 14 days. See here for info.
Finland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Travellers may enter Finland from any country without quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and present a negative PCR or Antigens test no older than 48 hours. Other rules apply for the unvaccinated depending on where they are traveling from. Source info here.
France	No quarantine or compelling reason for the fully vaccinated	South Africa was removed from the French scarlet list on Thursday 6 Jan. Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to provide a compelling reason to travel or quarantine on their return subject to presenting a negative PCR or antigens test no older than 48 hours, Click here for all information.
Germany	No quarantine subject to proof of vaccination or proof of recovery	As of 4 Jan 22, Germany no longer lists South Africa as a country with a variant of concern. No quarantine is required for fully vaccinated travellers or those with proof of recovery. Travellers must otherwise enter quarantine which can be terminated early subject to a negative PCR test on Day 5. source site here. More specific info here.
Ireland	No quarantine subject to proof of vaccination or recovery + negative PCR or Antigens test**	As of 27 Dec 21, South Africa is no longer on the list of designated states. This means that arrivals from South Africa are not required to quarantine provided you present proof of full vaccination or recovery and a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old or negative Antigens test no older than 48 hours. for full info check source site here.**
Israel	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated (from 9 Jan 22)	All fully vaccinated travellers can enter Israel. Arrivals must take a PCR test at the airport and must then quarantine for 24 hours until receipt of the results. A negative result will end your quarantine. Full info here.
Lebanon	No quarantine if fully vaccinated	Arrivals from South Africa are exempt from testing or quarantine provided they are fully vaccinated. See info here.
Netherlands	No quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers from South Africa	Residents of the Netherlands may enter from South Africa without quarantine subject to negative PCR tests (no older than 48 hours) and rapid tests (no older than 24 hours) and proof of beig fully vaccinated. source site here.
Norway	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated subject to conditions (as of 22 Dec 21)	Norwegian citizens can enter Norway from South Africa without having to quarantine subject to being fully vaccinated + testing negative on arrival. ALL arriving passengers must have registered at entrynorway.no. Info from source site here.
Poland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated – conditions apply.	Travellers returning from South Africa do not have to quarantine provided they have been fully vaccinated with an EU approved vaccine, present a negative test no older than 24 hours and test negative again on arrival. source site here
Sweden	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Swedish citizens can enter Sweden from South Africa without having to quarantine if fully vaccinated. Info from source site here.
Switzerland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Swiss nationals can return to Switzerland from South Africa without quarantine if fully vaccinated. For all other nationalities and statuses, please check
UAE	No quarantine for arrivals from SA	Passengers in transit must abide by the requirements of their destination country. For travellers staying in the UAE: arrivals from South Africa must present a negative PCR test result from an approved facility no older than 48 hours. On arrival they must take another PCR test and self-quarantine until they have their results. View source site here.
UK	No quarantine subject to a negative PCR test pre and post arrival	Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from South Africa do not have to quarantine subject to arriving with a negative test no older than 48 hours + having a booking for a PCR test in the UK on arrival + completing a Passenger Locator Form 2 days before arrival . View source site here
USA	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	The USA recommends that no-one travels without being fully vaccinated. All air passengers coming to the USA, including U.S. citizens, must present a negative PCR test that was taken within 24 hours of your departure flight. View source site here

MBBQ7590 800 x 500

stand-in pic for films bio 30 july 2021

Setting up the remote feed in Kogel Bay

Production office at Kogel Bay

Blog -bts 2021 – beach recce – 6

Blog – bts 2021 lavender recce – 9

Blog – bts 2021 – shooting in town – 15

Blog – bts 2021 – Seapoint – 17

← ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about travelling to South Africa (updated 31 Jan 22) Celebrating the crew behind the service: up close & personal with our chaperones in 3 short films →

Moonlighting Films 2023 ©

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about travelling to South Africa (updated 31 Jan 22)

Oct 21, 2021 | Commercials, Films, General, Shooting in COVID

Mailer 5 Jan image 800 x 471 WITH CAPTION 2

SOUTH AFRICA’S OMICRON PEAK HAS PASSED AND NUMBERS ARE DECREASING DAILY. MOST COUNTRIES HAVE RE-OPENED TO SOUTH AFRICA AND WE ARE SHOOTING!

We are really happy to say that South Africa’s Covid Omicron peak has passed. Numbers have been decreasing since 12 December and on 31 December, South Africa’s NICD announced that the peak had passed.
Here’s a quick update on what you need to know now:

Scroll down for our grid that lists many countries’ travel requirements.

For any information on flying to or from South Africa and Visa requirements please contact beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za

ENTRY TO SOUTH AFRICA

Entry is open to all countries subject to the usual visa requirements. All travellers arriving in South Africa must complete an arrivals form & present the following:

a certificate of a negative PCR Covid test dated within 72 hours of departure for South Africa.
Proof of travel insurance with medical cover
Proof of accommodation

AIRLINES: Most airlines’ South African service is back to normal! Airlines flying to SA include:
Air France, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

SAFETY PROTOCOLS
We remain on Level 1 which means minimum restrictions. Everything is open and there is no more curfew 🙂 South African safety protocols continue as before:
– Masks must be work in public with social distancing
– On set, we apply full safety protocols as mandated by the Commercial Producers Association and the City of Cape Town. You can read our production safety protocols here.

SHOOTING
Shooting continued throughout December with full safety protocols in place (with production & agency flying to South Africa and clients joining remotely). We are currently mid-production for January shoots and our season is getting busy as clients travel again.

VISA REQUIREMENTS (for film industry visitors travelling to South Africa with FIVA affiliated production companies).

Producers, Directors, Photographers, DOP’s, Client, Agency are categorised as Oversight & the following rules apply:
Nationals of a visa-exempt country:you will need to present an Oversight Visa Letter of Authority to immigration on arrival; this will be provided by your service company.
Nationals of a non-visa-exempt country:you will need to apply for a visa in advance from a South African Embassy as usual.

Actors, models, Assistant Directors, Stylists, Hair & make-up, Camera Operators and other roles – new rules apply:
1)Nationals from the list of 17 visa-exempt countries*may come in as Oversight for stays of up to 14 days (or 21 days with motivation from your service company), meaning no need for advance visa applications.
2)Nationals of all other countriesmust apply for specialist visas in advance from their nearest South African Embassy as usual.

*The 17 visa exempt countries for which the new rule applies: USA, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Please note the following:

This list is subject to change at any time and is for guidance purposes only. We also add more countries daily as we gather the updated info. For countries not on this list, please contact Moonlighting.

A person is only considered fully vaccinated after the designated amount of time has passed after their single dose vaccine or second double-dose vaccine. Please check that you have the required, approved vaccination documentation.

Country	Any quarantine?	Rules for citizens arriving *from* South Africa
Austria	No quarantine for “boosted” citizens	As of 25 December, Austrian and EU citizens & business travellers may enter Austria from South Africa without quarantine provided they are have received their booster vaccination (2^nd vax for Johnson & Johnson or 3^rd vax for other brands) and a present a negative PCR no older than 48 jours. For full info, See source site here.
Belgium	No Quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Arrivals must complete a Passnger Locator Form, must be fully vaccinated and must take a test on day 1; a negative test means no quarantine. Info can be found here.
Canada	No quarantine for fully vaccinated arrivals from South Africa, unless selected for a random arrivals test that proves to be positive.	Canadian citizens can enter Canada from South Africa subject to a negative PCR test. Fully vaccinated citizens are not subject to mandatory quarantine but may be randomy selected for an arrival test and quarantine depnding on their results. and quarantine. See source site here. All arrivals must also download the ArriveCAN app and fill out the necessary information.
China	Quarantine for arrivals in China	Arrivals in China are subject to 14 days mandatory quarantine in a government facility with an additional 7 days if arriving in Beijing. Arrivals must provide a PCR test and antibody test no older than 48 hours before direct flight to China. A full health declaration must be completed pre departure from and arrival back in China. Up to date info should be checked to ascertain feasability of any travel.
Denmark	No quarantine for fully vaccinated residents of Denmark / EU	Updated 27 Dec 21: No quarantine for fully vaccinated or recently recovered Danish and EU residents subject to a PCR no more than 72 hours old or a Rapid Antigens test no more than 48 hours old. For residents of other countries, strict proof of vaccination required as per set regulations. Source info here.
Egypt	Home quarantine for arrivals from South Africa	Travellers can enter Egypt from South Africa subject to a PCR test no older than 72 hours or an Antigens test no older than 24 hours and must enter home quarantine for 14 days. See here for info.
Finland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Travellers may enter Finland from any country without quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and present a negative PCR or Antigens test no older than 48 hours. Other rules apply for the unvaccinated depending on where they are traveling from. Source info here.
France	No quarantine or compelling reason for the fully vaccinated	South Africa was removed from the French scarlet list on Thursday 6 Jan. Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to provide a compelling reason to travel or quarantine on their return subject to presenting a negative PCR or antigens test no older than 48 hours, Click here for all information.
Germany	No quarantine subject to proof of vaccination or proof of recovery	As of 4 Jan 22, Germany no longer lists South Africa as a country with a variant of concern. No quarantine is required for fully vaccinated travellers or those with proof of recovery. Travellers must otherwise enter quarantine which can be terminated early subject to a negative PCR test on Day 5. source site here. More specific info here.
Ireland	No quarantine subject to proof of vaccination or recovery + negative PCR or Antigens test**	As of 27 Dec 21, South Africa is no longer on the list of designated states. This means that arrivals from South Africa are not required to quarantine provided you present proof of full vaccination or recovery and a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old or negative Antigens test no older than 48 hours. for full info check source site here.**
Israel	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated (from 9 Jan 22)	All fully vaccinated travellers can enter Israel. Arrivals must take a PCR test at the airport and must then quarantine for 24 hours until receipt of the results. A negative result will end your quarantine. Full info here.
Lebanon	No quarantine if fully vaccinated	Arrivals from South Africa are exempt from testing or quarantine provided they are fully vaccinated. See info here.
Netherlands	No quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers from South Africa	Residents of the Netherlands may enter from South Africa without quarantine subject to negative PCR tests (no older than 48 hours) and rapid tests (no older than 24 hours) and proof of beig fully vaccinated. source site here.
Norway	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated subject to conditions (as of 22 Dec 21)	Norwegian citizens can enter Norway from South Africa without having to quarantine subject to being fully vaccinated + testing negative on arrival. ALL arriving passengers must have registered at entrynorway.no. Info from source site here.
Poland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated – conditions apply.	Travellers returning from South Africa do not have to quarantine provided they have been fully vaccinated with an EU approved vaccine, present a negative test no older than 24 hours and test negative again on arrival. source site here
Sweden	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Swedish citizens can enter Sweden from South Africa without having to quarantine if fully vaccinated. Info from source site here.
Switzerland	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	Swiss nationals can return to Switzerland from South Africa without quarantine if fully vaccinated. For all other nationalities and statuses, please check
UAE	No quarantine for arrivals from SA	Passengers in transit must abide by the requirements of their destination country. For travellers staying in the UAE: arrivals from South Africa must present a negative PCR test result from an approved facility no older than 48 hours. On arrival they must take another PCR test and self-quarantine until they have their results. View source site here.
UK	No quarantine subject to a negative PCR test pre and post arrival	Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from South Africa do not have to quarantine subject to arriving with a negative test no older than 48 hours + having a booking for a PCR test in the UK on arrival + completing a Passenger Locator Form 2 days before arrival . View source site here
USA	No quarantine for the fully vaccinated	The USA recommends that no-one travels without being fully vaccinated. All air passengers coming to the USA, including U.S. citizens, must present a negative PCR test that was taken within 24 hours of your departure flight. View source site here

For any information on flying to or from South Africa and Visa requirements please contact beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za