11/06/2026
Planning a Cape Town production this season? The earlier the conversation starts, the more options you’ll have when it comes to securing the people and places that bring your vision to life. We speak to Ila about her go to tips for a smooth production journey. ✨
Q: Cape Town’s season gets romanticised online. What’s it actually like from a producer’s perspective?
A: Crowd control, heavy traffic and stretched infrastructure all come into play during peak season. The key is smart scheduling. We plan around rush hours and busy locations, and one of our favourite tricks is making the most of first light, when some of Cape Town’s most iconic locations are still beautifully quiet.
Q: What’s the one thing clients consistently underestimate about season?
A: Traffic. It sounds simple, but when you’re moving talent, crew and equipment across the city, timing is everything. Route planning becomes an essential part of production. Popular permitting locations can also get busy, so setting realistic expectations and planning ahead makes all the difference.
Q: What’s the most unexpected last-minute challenge you’ve had to solve?
A: Helping arrange travel logistics for a foreign nanny accompanying a client’s newborn. It wasn’t part of the original production brief, but thanks to an incredible support network, we found a solution quickly and professionally. Production is often about solving problems nobody saw coming.
Q: How early should brands start planning for Cape Town season?
A: Ideally, 12 weeks out. That gives us access to the best locations, venues and crew, while taking the pressure off everyone involved. That said, we’re used to fast turnarounds and can often make projects happen with much shorter timelines. If your shoot depends on specific locations or specialist crew, earlier is always better.
