Waldemar Coetsee started his professional career in in the Film industry 15 years ago while studying at AFDA In Johannesburg by assisting on every student film he possibly could.

With his father’s trusted Land-Rover as company, and years of sleepless nights, he gained as much experience as possible.

After his studies, Waldemar advanced to set decorating on several international and national projects, such as White Light, Tornado and also the successful teen comedy Bakgat 1. After his first break as HOD on set of the M-Net series Innocent Times, Waldemar has never looked back. Subsequently, he has been the Production Designer on 27 feature films and 5 television series.

He has also gained valuable experience as Art Director and Special Effects Technician on a number of commercials, TV, Film, series and international projects (including District 9, Mandela’s Gun and Meerkat Maantuig). Waldemar has been nominated for 4 SAFTA and 2 Silverskermfees Awards (Roepman, Room 9, Faan Se Trein, Vaselinetjie and Meerkat Maantuig) and received a SAFTA Award for Faan se Trein.

His awards and nominations prove his definitive attention and eye for detail, as well as colour form and balance. Apart from his passion for period pieces, Waldemar is able to combine all these aesthetic elements with his myriad practical knowledge and experience. When he tackles a new project, his responsibility to portray stories visually to represent the nature of the stories interest.