Feeding the film industry

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Sixteen-hour days, hundreds of hungry crew members and a lot of pressure - two Garden Route caterers share their experiences.

Film locations (whether in a studio or on location) are closed sets where the shooting schedule strictly adheres to the call sheet for that day.

It's not an environment where the cast and crew can go to nearby restaurants when they're hungry, have a leisurely bite, and then return when they're done.

Time is money, and keeping a couple of hundred film crew members fed swiftly and nutritiously so they can return to the process of making art is demanding work.

PL Catering is based in Sedgefield and is owned by Ian Perryman and Dale Engelbrecht. They are thrilled to have had the opportunity to offer their services to the film industry, with additional productions and upcoming prospects on the horizon.

"Tourism is a passion of mine, and since arriving in the Garden Route in 2005, I quickly learned as a new businessowner that foreign holidaymakers disappear during particular times of the year, and you have to start looking for other business to keep your doors open," says Perryman.

"Throughout my early years as a Sedgefield accommodation provider, I was fortunate to meet with a few individuals from the film industry, both local and international. They came to the Garden Route to scout for the ideal location and suppliers and to determine what was needed for their upcoming production. 'Wouldn't it be great if we could have a local film organisation in the Garden Route to go to for information?' they'd ask."

In later years, the Garden Route Film Commission came along, and Perriman duly registered as a member to be an accommodation supplier and, more recently, as a catering company. He didn't really understand the needs of the film industry, but through guidance and support from the GRFC, he has been able to work through film tenders and referrals and secure contracts for catering and as an accommodation provider.

"What a difference these opportunities have made to our small business and others that we support locally!" he says.

Engelbrecht says in 2021 and 2022, they catered for a crew of over 200 people, filming a reality series for a German film company. "Just in catering, this created employment for 25 people from the Plett community and dozens more from the rest of the Garden Route in other departments. They had seven weeks of hands-on training, learned new skills and earned a salary."

PL Catering had a local spend in year one of R1,535m and in year two of R2,32m. This was shared locally with Garden Route suppliers for food, drinks, packaging, and staffing. Financially, the following areas benefited: Plett 38%; Knysna 30%; Sedgefield 12%; George 9%.