Brendan Jack and Gavin Williams shared an office at a prestigious advertising agency for five years. One day in 2001, while throwing down some dangerous moves on the office couch, Brendan suggested that they create a posse of super-safe guys for an insurance company campaign. The idea began brewing and mutating. Couch skating continued in the office. A few days later, at an underground comedy evening, Trevor Clarence, an upcoming commercials director, suggested that they take the idea to the top, MTV.
After tracking down the right contacts at MTV London, Crazy Monkey tweaked and re-wrote their proposed spots. They knew that the scripts were a difficult sell to people who didn't know them personally. They were also aware that they only had one shot at the top. They certainly didn't want to make a bad first impression with the biggest and most acclaimed youth station on earth. On paper, the scripts seemed slightly insane, but the guys were confident in their vision. They sent off their proposal.
A few months and chewed fingernails later, the answer arrived in the form of an email. MTV were intrigued by what they saw, but couldn't offer a budget to a no-name brand from the tip of Africa. The fact that they liked it inspired the guys to find the means to make the spots. The solution came in the form of Trevor's production company. They supplied a modest budget and post-production facilities. Brett Goldin, a friend and actor was then recruited to complete the group of daredevils. The wheels of extreme sickness had been set in motion.
Two days of shooting in the Joburg suburbs was followed by a few weeks of editing, music selection and sound, picture and logo designs. The spots were then sent to London.
After a few more weeks of nail chewing, the answer came back... MTV loved Crazy Monkey. Rejoicing and more couch skating ensued.
All that the Crazy Monkey guys hoped for was for the spots to be played once. Just once. They began flighting during an MTV Jackass special on a Saturday night. Crazy Monkey and friends watched at a lawn bowls club that offered cheap dinner specials. It was slightly surreal to hear the South African accent cutting through the overseas feed. The spots played more than once. Three years later, they continue to play.
MTV then commissioned another set of spots, resulting in the extreme sport of Footskating. This was also well received and led to MTV flying the guys over to London to present a couple of Men Hurting Themselves weekends, doing interviews and shooting footage of them being wicked cool around London Town.
A TV show was then discussed and a pilot was put into production. Around this time, after meeting Ronnie Apteker from Internet Solutions, Crazy Monkey were offered the chance to make their debut movie in South Africa. They decided to swap small screen aspirations for the big screen.
A year and thirteen revised drafts later, Brendan and Trevor were finally happy with the script and the Crazy Monkey crew were ready to make their first feature film, in Benoni - home of Charlize. But it's not that simple with filmmaking - the right team had to be assembled first. Tendeka Matatu was brought on board to crack the whip as go-to-man and producer.
This was not to be a typical movie making experience. Firstly, the production office was set up in an old rug shop on a farm in Benoni - the perfect setting for a Crazy Monkey production. Cast and crew were then put to work, not making the film, but finding locations, casting around the country, assembling more key team, and shedding all the blood, sweat and tears that is needed to make the final product look effortless.
"Benoni shall provide" became the film production's mantra - and provide it did. The energetic and determined cast and crew moved quickly between locations, ranging from playgrounds flanked by mine dumps, to lakesides, to empty strip malls, to beauty salons. They even got to spend a memorable day at Benoni High School, where hundreds of school kids stayed after class to make a scene and make a noise. Even the difficult days were a pleasure. Rain, clouds and fleeting daylight provided a few hurdles, but all the shots ended up in the can.
And throughout, the people of Benoni offered nothing but help and support.
After a month of waking up before the sun, the final "cut!" was called. The surreal and uplifting experience was over and the newly formed family of cast and crew had to go back to their real families.
'Straight Outta Benoni' showcases some of the best musical talent South Africa has to offer, such as 'The Finkelstiens', 'Wickhead', 'Danny K', 'Felix Laband' and 'Flash Republic'. With the help of Adrian King and Gallo records, the soundtrack incorporates a great mix of genres - from straight up rock, pop, electro and house, to instrumental scores and old-school classics.
The compilation also features up and coming international bands 'My Orchard', 'Marble' and 'Electric Six', as well as eighties classic, 'Good Life' - originally done by Kevin Saunderson's 'Inner City'. The film begins with this track, but ends with a punked-up, 'Finkelsteins' overhaul of the same tune.
The soundtrack will come with a bonus CD containing production photos, 'The Finks' music Video, the shooting script, and much more.
The movie, "Straight Outta Benoni" is a proudly South African venture, made with Ronnie Apteker from Internet Solutions and supported by Rand Merchant Bank. The cast includes Colin Moss, Tanit Phoenix, Kagiso Lediga from Pure Monate and Danny K. It's a feel good comedy about living your dreams and finding your place in the world, even in Benoni. The story transcends all cultures and age groups, which is why everyone should see it... at least twice.
"Straight Outta Benoni" launches nationwide in August, through Ster Kinekor. Crazy Monkey are going for the biggest release in South African history. It's going to be like Titanic, only bigger and better. And without boats. The Monkey is coming!
Check out the theatre trailer at www.crazymonkeymovie.com.
