Groundglass

Get behind the glass

Groundglass, since it’s inception in 2001, has become one of South Africa’s leading director-based film production companies, in both the local and international market.

With backgrounds in various artistic and creative fields, from design and animation to dance and photography, our versatile roster of directors is strategically placed to deliver in all mediums of advertising. Our mélange of tricks is diverse – from service and local commercials to documentaries and music promos, from short films to new media and the cyberculture it has created – all taken on and produced with equal passion and energy.

Backed up by fulltime production and research departments with comprehensive knowledge and experience, we are equipped to deal with any production of any scale, and we are steadfast in our mission to keep on producing the best work possible. The easy-going nature of the company and fun-filled atmosphere, along with our slick and proficient service, keeps clients returning time and time again.

Janette de Villiers

Janette de Villiers is the Executive Producer and founder of Groundglass. Janette has been involved in the film industry for the past twenty years, and is a major player in the local industry, having served on the board of the Cape Film Commission for a number of years and being a founding member of Film South Africa. Janette worked in Johannesburg with many of SA’s top directors, and started Groundglass in Cape Town in 2001.

As CEO, Janette has a very hands–on approach to every job and generally contributes to all aspects of production. One of Janette’s passions is sharing her skills with others in the industry to help put the South African Film industry on the global map.

Historically Groundglass is a commercials production company, but through Janette’s profound interest in environmentalism and conservation, the company is moving into documentary filmmaking and television. Her infectious enthusiasm has rubbed off on staff and colleagues and her mission to activate transformation has led to the conception of 2econd World, a television series about environmental issues, focusing on the positive impact we can have by living environmentally aware lives.

Lisa Du Toit

Lisa Du Toit has been Producing at Groundglass for the past 5 years. Her patience, kindness and calm approach to production challenges make her a huge asset to every production. Lisa makes all our clients feel completely secure that their jobs are being handled with the utmost care.

Lisa has been producing primarily Tabletop commercials for the past 10 years, with a total of 20 years industry experience. She produces Director and Service work with equal passion & enthusiasm, her conscientious work ethic and fantastic sense of humor adding value to our productions.

Debra Stubbs

After studying film & television at Natal Technikon, Debra began her career as an editor and directors assistant before traveling and working abroad for three years.

Returning to South Africa, she settled in Cape Town becoming Groundglass’s first employee. Working her way up from production co-ordinator, Debs has been producing for the past two years and symbolizes all that the company stands for – integrity, enthusiasm, diligence and passion.

Debra has been a key contributor to the development of a documentary and long-form division at Groundglass, imbuing this department with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail she devotes to commercials.

A unique calm ambience surrounds Debra, which reflects from her personality and into her producing style, which evidently has kept clients and directors coming back for more.

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is the newest recruit in our producing department. We love her spirited unconventional ways and quirky style, which have brought added colour to the Groundglass team.

Over the past 18 years, her pool of experience has covered pretty much all formats of filmmaking, both short and long - from commercials to documentaries and music videos to local television and feature films – with location knowledge spanning the length of South Africa, and including Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Learning from the best-in-the-business in both the commercial and feature world has ensured an unsurpassed work precision and work ethic.

Young at heart, and a travel and environmental nut, her aim as a filmmaker within the Groundglass walls is to expand the social and global awareness aspect of their vision.