Rob Malpage: Year One

Rob Malpage is approaching the end of a busy first full year as a commercials director at Frieze Films.

Before joining Frieze, Rob already had a long and successful career behind him as one of South Africa’s top directors of photography, with Cinematography Craft Awards from the likes of The London International Awards and The Loerie Awards, as well as DOP credits on the feature films Free Willy: Escape From Pirate’s Cove and The Flyer; the award-winning TV series Yizo Yizo; and acclaimed short films like Jamaa and Meokgo and The Stickfighter.

Still in his early 30s, Rob had also co-directed some of the most distinctive work to come out of South Africa. MTN Stickies, which he co-directed with Craig Wessels from Wicked Pixels, won Gold at The Loerie Awards and was included in the D&AD annual, while Rob also co-directed Die Antwoord’s music videos Enter The Ninja, which was named Myspace’s Music Video of 2010, and Evil Boy, which racked up around eight million views online. Both music videos were co-directed with Die Antwoord’s Ninja.

MTN Stickies

 

Die Antwoord Enter The Ninja

Die Antwoord Evil Boy

Shortly after joining Frieze in 2011, Rob launched with a bang when Mercedes Benz Dark Horse, his innovative 3D cinema experience, featured at The Creative Circle Ad of the Month and on BestAdsonTV.

Mercedes Benz Dark Horse

While all his work benefits from his unique visual eye, Rob’s built a refreshingly varied reel at Frieze. He’s directed children in character-driven performance pieces like Jungle Oats Superhero. He’s handled large crowds and complex logistics in musical extravaganzas like 8ta More and Appletiser Sparkle On. He’s worked with local celebrities like BLK JKS and Black Coffee for South African Tourism; the Springboks for Shield; DubFX and Tamara Dey for Appletiser; and AKA for 8ta.

Jungle Oats Superhero

8ta More

Appletiser Sparkle On

South African Tourism Blk Jks

Shield Rituals

With blue chip clients like Standard Bank under his belt, new ads for Eskom and Jungle Oats currently in post production, and a steady flow of boards on the way, Frieze Films’ executive producer Jo Barber believes 2013 will be the year of Rob Malpage.

“Rob’s experience behind the camera has made all the difference in leapfrogging him out of the new director mould, but he has so much more to offer than just a gifted eye,” says Jo. “He’s proved he can operate in a conceptual arena and we’re very excited to see what’s in store for him next year.”

You can see his work here.