Gallery Update
KNYSNA NEWS - Filming of the third season of the Finnish version of the Bachelor has wrapped after a month in the Garden Route, and already the Finnish producer has said that the crew will definitely be coming back next year.
Not only did the show's filming have a financial impact on the towns used as locations, but it was also a chance for a Sedgefield local with hopes of one day becoming a director himself to learn the ropes from the ground up.
Chase Hofhuis, a familiar face in Sedgefield and a learner at Vine Christian School in George, was employed as a "spark" for the shoot.
"I set up the lights and help with all lighting-related aspects of the filming," explained Hofhuis.
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Hofhuis said he got involved in the shoot because he wants, first, to learn more about the industry, and second, be a director one day.
"The experience has been amazing. I have learned so many things, and it's all thanks to Belinda (Hobson) from Sedgefield Tourism and Patrick (Walton), the South African producer on the show," he said, adding, "I have to thank my school as well for giving me all the time off."
His favourite part was the many locations they visited for shoots. "We have been from Mossel Bay all the way to Storms River, so I have seen lots of new locations."
While filming a rose ceremony for the show at Lakeside Lodge and Spa, Knysna-Plett Herald caught up with Samuli Sainio, producer for Warner Bros.
Producer Samuli Sainio (left) of WArner Bros with his South African counterpart Patrick Walton of Shootaway Productions. Photo: Stefan Goosen
'People make it worthwhile'
"This was my second time in the Garden Route. It is a great place and I like it very much.
"The first time was two years ago, and we only spent one day at the Knysna Waterfront. This time we were here for a full month and I loved it," said Sainio.
One of the main reasons they returned to the Garden Route, he said, was because of the people.
"They are all fantastic and welcomed us here so warmly. We heard about the fires, and saw footage of what the people went through. We even shot an entire episode with the contestants helping out in some of the affected communities and handing out clothing we donated," he said.
According to Sainio, another reason is that the scenery bears a liking to Finland.
"There are many rivers, lakes and forests here, which look a little like Finland. But in the same sense it still looks very exotic to viewers in Finland.
"What we don't have is your kind of wildlife, like the monkeys, and while the weather is great here, it was -20ºC in Finland a week ago," he said.
Female contestants of the Bachelor, Finland during a 'mix and mingle" session, filmed at Lakeside Lodge and Spa just outside Sedgefield. Because the show has not yet hit Finnish Television screens, Knysna-Plett Herald was not allowed to photograph their faces. Photo: Stefan Goosen
Will residents of the Garden Route be able to see their area on screen? Unfortunately not, said Sainio.
The show will be released in March next year, but residents will have to wait for the crew to return for the possible filming of the Bachelorette later in 2018.
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