I was in standard 3 (grade 5 nowadays), when in 1993 the movie, Free Willy, came out.  In an instant my heart was captured by Killer Whales. They became part of me – I studied them; watched endless movies on them; I would draw them; incorporate their pictures into everything I was involved in; I would dream about filming them, imagining to swim with them in the wild with my GoPro…. one day!  Even my friends started associating ‘Ansurette’ with these precious animals whenever they would cross Orcas.  

My company name, ORCANSU, derived from combining ORCA and ANSU (my nickname). The orca which is black and white goes well with the black and white clapper board used during movie making; It is a perfect fit making it very special and personal. So in 2003 the name Orcansu Productions was born!

I was born in Stellenbosch, but grew up in Pretoria. Went to school there and matriculated in 2000.  After school I went back to Stellenbosch for 2 years joining a Christian band called “Joyful Noise Ministries” and it was in this time that my passion for combining music, film and photography into one product, grew. After watching Delirious’s music video of their song “Deeper”, I knew that I wanted to make music videos. After all, being a musician and also just loving music, I knew that I wanted to study film to learn how to make music videos. 

So, I went back to Pretoria to study at TUT Motion Picture Academy and got my degree in Motion Picture Production.

While I was studying, I already started to make all kinds of videos. My very first music video aired on Kyk-Net and that was the key to my busy future!! More and more music videos came in – from Afrikaans music videos for new and upcoming artists and bands to well known artists like Jak de Priester, Richard van der Westhuizen and Louis Brittz. Of course I also started shooting and editing productions for documentaries, weddings, special events and corporate videos. As a freelancer, I had the opportunity to work under Sean Else, Lourens Human, Deon de Bruyn and did contract work for In Pas on Kyk-Net.

2007 would also be the year that Stellenbosch took me back as a full time Western Cape resident. I started off working for Stellenbosch Gemeente to build their video ministry and then 3 and a half years later, moved to Bloubergstrand to explore more things, to expand my business and most importantly, to be near the shoreline of the ice cold but beautiful ocean.

The next few years, I fell in love and had two incredible, beautiful souls given to me to enjoy life with – Roxy (her name meaning “First light of the new day) and Jack (because I love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies…and Jack Sparrow…Johnny Depp…).  We explore and discover the beaches and mesmerising places wherever my Caddy can take us and I can promise you, both of them will have great stories to tell one day!

I am a family person, so are Orcas, they travel and hunt in pods, staying forever with their family. This is why, in my productions, it is important for me to capture the moment that, in the future, will trigger good memories and warm hearted feelings; bringing restoration, happiness and reconciliation to the people watching.