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Zena Wood
LOCAL IN NEW YORK: LIVING HER DREAM
Zena taking a bite of the Big Apple CARINA ROUX
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he was born and raised in Kuils River but for the past five years Zena Wood (30) has been living her dream in the Big Apple. The former learner of De Kuilen Primary and Stellenberg High School works as a producer, writer, first assistant director, production coordinator and performer in New York City. Zena did a BA degree at Stellenbosch University and graduated from the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town in 2012 before completing a film qualification at the New York Film Academy in 2015.
She always knew she ‘‘wanted to try America. It took about three years to finally go.” She got a scholarship for an acting programme which helped for a softer landing abroad, she says. “I’m so glad I did it. I have experienced so much growth in New York.” As a freelancer, she’s been involved with the production and coordination of TV shows, documentaries and films. Her duties included everything from managing schedules, crew, gear, communications with clients, negotiating rates to making creative decisions. Clients included Netflix, BBC and Conde Nast Traveller. Asked about moments that stood out in her career thus far, she mentions the films
on which she worked as first assistant director which got accepted into festivals. Life after her got accepted into Cannes and the Madrid Film Festival and The Arrangements got accepted into the El Paso Film Festival. I Heart Jenny featured this year at AltFest and New Filmmakers in New York and the Green Bay Film Festival. “Other moments that stood out have been shooting really fun and wacky content with friends and colleagues. “A recent shoot included robots and was about a robot stepdad.” She enjoys being on comedy sets, she adds. A definite highlight for her working in the film industry was when she met, Robert Ta-
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pert, the director of Xena Warrior Princess. “I told him how his show changed the course of most of my introductions with people in my life. Yes, like the Warrior Princess! I love it.” One funny incident that happened on set was when she had to cover an actor’s grey hair with black face paint. “We were in like hour 11 of filming at night, and I used the navy blue paint by mistake. When we stepped into the light, his hair was blue.’’ She does not really look up to anyone within the industry. “I think it’s important to pave your own way. My mentors have been my friends and colleagues.” V To page 3.