Jurgen Alan
Freelance filmdirector, Jar cafe
Freelance Film Director, Jürgen Alan, A Proposal of Value
The Man:
From art scholarship student, via conscription, into one of South Africa’s elite forces. From the front of an easel, to behind enemy lines. After two-and-a-half years in Death’s company he emerged, a survivor, from deadly bush warfare.
Born from all this, is a creative spirit of tempered steel, and a man who understands the meaning and joy of the essence of life.
A human being whose depth and breadth of insight into the human psyche few others can match. Words like integrity, honesty, courage and commitment are not ideals to Jürgen, but a way of life, because the cost was too high.
The Director:
A highly intelligent and innovative mind, always seeking to illuminate the unifying thread between what is experienced and what it means; a quintessential requisite of a good director.
In addition, he is able to convey the essence of his vision to others, through the medium of his craft; another quintessential requisite.
Jürgen’s genuine warmth, passion and empathy, draws the best out of people. Under his direction actors and production crews, in whatever format, give of their best because they want to, not because they have to. Jürgen leads by example.
Jürgen has come up through the ranks, runner to director, from lighting and sound, to copy writing and editing; he understands the nuts and bolts. He knows what the limits are and how to push them, and due to his unique outlook and lateral thought processes, sometimes to simply eradicate them.
An example is the patent he holds on the transfer of digitally manipulated media onto film which gives better definition, in less time, at a fraction of the cost. (L.A.U.R.A.Process)
In response to outdated industry processes and the current economic crisis, he has developed a client conscious, cost efficient, streamlined new business model. (Tri-directive Radial Approach)
In keeping with his philosophy, Jürgen gives back to his industry. He mentors, trains and guides young talent that he unearths, creating a new generation of young, innovative and passionate directors.
He is also in the process of establishing a film school in Newfoundland.
The Results:
• Twenty-two years hard-earned, successful, international experience with film, animation, commercial advertising, music video’s and documentaries.
• The understanding of what quality is and the ability to produce it, time after time, despite budget constraints.
• Calmness and clarity under pressure, hands on capability and the knack of rapidly turning problems into progress.
• The self-assuredness to be able to listen to and implement good ideas, wherever and from whomever they might arise.
• Budget consciousness and pragmatism. The ability to draw on years of tradecraft to come up with simple solutions without compromising quality, that don’t rely on expensive technology, for those seemingly impossible shots.
• The experience to know that meticulous planning, in close co-operation with client or production team, is proactive, cost efficient and time saving.
• The professional dedication to understand and keep abreast of technological advancements in the media field. Ongoing experimentation of how to implement such advancements for the benefit of clients and their goals.
• Enormous energy, ingrained integrity, honesty and passion. Zest for life, warmth and empathy. Love of innovation and technology. Skill and experience. Deep insight into humanity. A unique blend from a unique background.
Contact:
jurgen
Producer
Cape Town. South Africa
jurgenalan@googlemail.com
30 contacts1989 - 2009creative multi award winning commercials and music video director for more than 20 years .
1989 - 2009"It doesn't take knowledge to spend money, it takes knowledge and experience to save money"
Jürgen has been directing music videos and commercials since 1998 — the culmination of many years of experience in the film industry fuelled by a driving passion that hooked him as a child.He discovered the world of film at the age of 9, when he saw his first ever movie,and spent the entire time trying to work out how light particles from a projector could portray the emotions and actions he could see on the screen (or,to be accurate,the sheet attached to the garden wall!).It was a natural progression from then on,and Jürgen went on to watch every film he could,act in numerous school plays and study fine art before arriving in the film industry.
He cut his teeth as an actor and stunt man before going on to learn,from a hands-on perspective,every aspect of film-making.Starting out as a runner,he quickly worked his way ‘round the set — from lighting,grip and set design through to assistant director,script-writer and,finally,director. As he himself says, “I'm a graduate of the Jürgen Alan film school”. He entered the world of music videos — directing over 100 for a range of artists from Johnny
Clegg,Qcumba Zoo and Nelson Lee to Little Sister — and became the youngest South African writer/producer/ director to have a local music video flight in Russia to 150 million people worldwide.
He turned his eye to the world of advertising in 2000,joining Fresh Eye and then Fresh Water Films,where his talent and vision have shone through in a dazzling display of work for a range of brands.Recent international work includes spots
for Fanta,Nesquik,Harpic,a special effects-laden spot for Turkish brand Alpella and a performance-based commercial for Turkish brand Anadolu.Local work ranges from the Loerie nominated,satirical look at the life of an air-guitarist for Cape Argus to animated work for Mitchum and Ego,action-packed,graphics-laden spots for Shield,ground-breaking technology work for Philips and a performance-based campaign for Pedigree that was acclaimed by the client as the best they had ever run. With an innate fear of being typecast as any kind of specialist director,he actively seeks and promotes diversity,proving himself on numerous occasions with outstanding work across a broad and eclectic range of expertise — from special effects and state-of-the-art technology through to intense performance art.
Jürgen creates fresh,inspiring,beautiful work that always has strong emphasis on visual composition and story-telling.He brings drive,energy,enthusiasm and passion to his set;he gets the best from his crew and artists,he meets and regularly surpasses his clients’ expectations. Always looking for new challenges and ideas,he is an exciting director and an ever-evolving artist.Current personal projects include a feature film and a new all in one production co
“If one considers that half your life you sleep away while the rest of your life is spent either sitting in a chair (at a desk,in your car,on the toilet) or made up of conversations about nothing to people you quite often don't even like. Most people are in jobs they hate just to pay the rent and the time left over for themselves is very little indeed.I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world.My job is my life;it is not work.I love what I do and I spend all my time doing it,one frame at a time.Every nanosecond counts.”
It is with this passion and commitment that Jürgen approaches every job.
- Jürgen Alan
2004 - 2008concept ,production , and post production web design and advertising