Often we see full productions and hardly question who is behind these staggering productions on our screens. This month we are bringing you a remarkable film director by the name of Siyasanga Bongani Sityana, who is known as "Siya Sityana" and many call him "Director S". The gentleman was born and bred in Port Elizabeth, currently known as Gqeberha – also grew up in Gqeberha for a while but mostly spent his time in a small town called Peddie, in the Eastern Cape.
"I graduated In Film and Television, majored in Script writing and directing at Cape Town International Film School 2004. Currently, due to the nature of my work and bookings I am floating between Johannesburg and Cape Town as far as residence is concerned", he said.
When did you start with Filming/Directing and what inspired you to go for it? “I started working on film sets right after my graduation in 2005. I started off as a PRODUCTION PA then as SET PA, two years later I progressed into Assistant Director for international and local directors. Three years from there I started directing full-time for Local Films, TV Series and TV Commercials. My inspiration for visual storytelling comes from the blood, I am a grandson to one of the greatest Xhosa Novelists (AMS SITYANA) whose books are all over our universities. I read some of his books and listened to some of his radio dramas, from there I knew I wanted to tell stories but visual stories. That passion and gift is what led me to where I am to date”.
Since inception with your filming/directing career – which is that one production would you say it’s your favorite or close to your heart and why? “The one production that's a highlight of my career is called "Hostage", a local movie I directed for eTV as my first movie on TV. Although it's hard to choose just one out of the many productions I've done, a second one would be "OUR DREAM" a public announcement campaign advert for the "46664" Nelson Mandela concert. To me these are major productions of my humble beginnings and rubber-stamps that a farm boy like me can do anything and only the sky is the limit”.
You once directed Denzel Washington - please share how was it to be part of that production: “Working with Denzel Washington was an honor given his stature. I was an assistant director on the production which was a major American block buster "Safe House". Having to speak to him and other A-Listers' infants on camera was epic for me, I had such a euphoria”.
Most people surely know some of the productions you worked on but do not know you were part of those – please mention three that you think people may know and which production are you currently involved in? “The latest is the Castle Lager TV commercial, Stokvel on SABC 2, Interrogation Room SABC 1, Uthenjiwe Uyatshata on Mzansi Magic and "BLACK" Music Video with THE DREAM American rapper”.
Lastly, there’s young people out there who would like to follow on your footsteps – what can you advise them? “Wanna be in film and television in any of the department? Just know it's a tough industry, working long hours sometimes on weekends, and holidays. But to those who specifically want to be directors and writers like myself. It all starts with passion, vision, skill then the ability. if you have the above then you are king to the throne. Remember school doesn't teach talent - they polish it, it needs to be within you. In my view filmmaking is a form of expression”.