Backyard Opens South African Office

Above: Janette De Villiers

Venice, CA-based Backyard has expanded to include a new full-service office in Cape Town, Backyard SA.  Backyard SA is a partnership with veteran Executive Producer Janette De Villiers, who will act as the company’s Managing Director, and will continue to separately maintain her South African production service company, Groundglass.  Groundglass has produced hundreds of international jobs over the years, including many for Backyard.  Backyard SA will offer Backyard’s director roster to the South African advertising community and will serve as a resource for American advertisers wanting to shoot overseas. 

Says Backyard President/Partner Blair Stribley, “We’re partnering with a like- minded person in Janette.  She has the personality and energy that fits right in with the Backyard brand, and Janette is known internationally for her exceptional production track record.  This move gives our clients a great alternative location to consider shooting.”  Adds De Villiers, “I’m thrilled to be able to introduce Backyard’s stellar roster to South Africa.  Creatively, they’re a very good fit for this market.  More and more American advertisers want to shoot here and now they can with a trusted brand.” 

In recent years, Backyard has gotten a lot of interest from clients considering production in South Africa.  In addition to diverse locations, top-level crews, a deep acting pool and a very production-friendly environment, U.S. advertising dollars stretch further with the value of the dollar against the Rand.