Scrutinize Halo director's CV (with videos) [update 1]

by Christopher Grant { Aug 9th 2006 at 8:30PM }

We know a lot of you probably had a sinking feeling in your stomach earlier today when you discovered the just announced director of the highly anticipated Halo movie, Neill Blomkamp, was some commercial director from South Africa of all places (apologies, Ludwig). But we remembered his short film about aliens struggling with integration in Johannesburg and thought the choice was really unique ... so we Googled him. We Googled the sh-t out of him.

We came up with his Wikipedia entry (already updated with the Halo info, natch), his IMDb entry, his music video videography, a Canadian effects company he works with, the production company he works for, and all manner of links in between. In so doing, we've assembled a pretty exhaustive selection of all videos available online that Mr. Blomkamp has created over the past couple years, including some short films, commercials, and music videos.

Notice any similarities? Yeah, the guy digs technology in a serious way: transforming Citroëns, third-world robocop androids, robotic crabs, and alien bodysuits packing some killer gravity-gun technology. We're all ready imagining Spartans and Covenant Elites duking it out in the sun-bleached streets of New Mombasa.

[Update: Added in Tempbot. Thanks for the link Youri Zoutman. Anyone else have any or know of any videos by Neill Blomkamp that we didn't post?]

Alive in Joburg

Tempbot

Yellow - Adidas ad

Alive With Technology - Citroën ad

Tetra Vaal

Evolution of Nike Air

Nike robot crabs

Gatorade Basketball commercial

Gatorade Volleyball commercial

Fluffy Star - Perfect

LiveonRelease - "Let's Go"

Bif Naked - "Tango Shoes"

Tags: Bungie, Halo, Movie, Movies, Neill Blomkamp, NeillBlomkamp, Peter Jackson, PeterJackson

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Geist @ Aug 9th 2006 8:42PM

I think he'll do well. Those police robots and refugee alien videos are extremely well done, evoking emotions such as hope, merely from a few minutes of viewing. If anyone can keep the movie from degenerating into an action-fest, it looks like it's this guy.

AoE @ Aug 9th 2006 8:45PM

Awesome! I think more than the fact that he digs technology, the short films at least showcase his potential to create... dare I say it? a thoughtful video game movie. Between messrs Blomkamp and Jackson I think we're on track for an excellent Halo flick.

john @ Aug 9th 2006 8:46PM

man that first video Alive in Joburg was excellent. halo movie is going to wtfpwn. fantastic cinematography

obo @ Aug 9th 2006 8:49PM

His stuff is great, but these are all short films at most. Let's hope he has the directorial chops to keep things moving and interesting for the length of a feature film.

Chris @ Aug 9th 2006 8:50PM

Amazing work, I really like the Yellow film.

cringer8 @ Aug 9th 2006 8:56PM

You'd never see a commercial like the Citröen one in the US. People would sue if their car didn't transform and dance around.

And, I guess he's the guy behind the Gatorade Rain commercials. Those always made me uncomfortable, in a good way (due to the realism). I hate when you can easily tell that something is CG.

This guy would make a good "Art Director" for a Halo movie, but as the head director...I don't know.

GSI @ Aug 9th 2006 9:02PM

Uh oh...crabs...no one tell Sony b/c they might say it was their idea first. lol

Youri Zoutman @ Aug 9th 2006 9:21PM

You forgot Tempbot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev9SY2hxIr0

(Although I see it nowhere in any of the links, so I could be wrong)

v @ Aug 9th 2006 9:38PM

Those are hot vids. I'm really excited about the Halo movie now, even though the game itself still bores me to tears.

Geoff @ Aug 9th 2006 9:40PM

Well, this all makes me extraordinarily happy. This guy definitely looks like he will do some impressive stuff with HALO.

V1L3 @ Aug 9th 2006 10:29PM

Here's a new one with a transforming Citroen that I only saw for the first time last night. *L*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7d_9ltKR5Y

Same guy, I'm guessing?

Awesome ad.

Bryan Lewis @ Aug 9th 2006 10:37PM

Just watching the opening of Alive in Joburg shows that he at least has the skill to make Halo--especially since (I assume) he made all these videos with a much, much smaller budget than what he'll be getting now.And I would go just to see that, but it definetely looks like he has a knack for expression and emotion as well.

I think it will be interesting to follow this movie's production and see the final product. My fingers are crossed that he can move his short-film s|

Bryan Lewis @ Aug 9th 2006 10:42PM

Sorry about that. I tried to type an < to make my post totally leet, but it thought the rest of my post was a tag.

"My fingers are crossed that he can move his short-film skills to the big screen."

ChrisJ @ Aug 9th 2006 10:47PM

Alive in joburg is stunning. Its always been said that alien/alien technology would pull humanity out of poverty suffereing. Its amazing to see this turned on its head. I would love to see a feature length "paux-documentary" as his next project. Hopefully this will get him the funds to do something like that.
Chances are this halo film might be our first sci-fi war film...2001 meets full metal jacket.
I can't wait.

elmoco @ Aug 9th 2006 11:52PM

great stuff. and it goes without saying that he'll have the full support of WETA and peter jackson, not to mention all the rabid fanboys making sure he'll live up to the expectations. now about that writer......

therpham @ Aug 9th 2006 11:55PM

I saw Alive in Joburg a year or two ago and I was pretty much amazed with it. I haven't seen it since then, but I remember thoroughly enjoying it. It's a bit of a gamble, but at least they're not letting Uwe be involved.

Untamed @ Aug 9th 2006 11:58PM

The building behind the car in the Citroen commercial is the BCHydro building in Vancouver. The BCHydro building in Vancouver is across the alley from where I live. The building that ad was based on is less than a block from me. :)

qbix @ Aug 10th 2006 12:53AM

Wow. This guy is the perfect candidate to direct this movie. Him directing and Peter Jackson providing all the cool CG, I think we got us a blockbuster. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go camp outside the movie theater.

Leto @ Aug 10th 2006 1:55AM

Alive In Joburg, and Yellow was quite interesting.

eggfou @ Aug 10th 2006 4:40AM

The commercial production company this guy works with was founded by Ridley Scott and Tony Scott. Two of Hollywoods best directors, so obviously they see something in this guy too. I really got high hopes now.

dead_ox @ Aug 10th 2006 7:15AM

well, he's obviously familiar with what Halo needs: good CGI, but realistic as well. however, the fact that he's never made a full-length film sorta bugs me. We'll have to see.

KyleK @ Aug 10th 2006 7:35AM

I simply love the design of the bots in both Tempbot and Tetra Vaal. Has anyone seen hi-res pictures of these somewhere? I can't find any.

rockintom99 @ Aug 10th 2006 7:52AM

Boy, is this great news. I've seen Tetra Vaal ages ago, and have always wondered who made it. While i loved that video, Alive in Joburg was simply amazing. To evoke emotions in such a short time...

Halo is in good hands.

Jake @ Aug 10th 2006 9:31AM

You would expect Halo to turn out to be a straight cheesy action fest, kind of the way Doom turned out. And sometimes those movies can be entertaining. But from looking at this guy's work, it appears that the people behind getting this movie done actually want a unique movie, with the Halo story and fans to give it that extra push. I might actually pay the theatre folks to see this one.

KilgoreTrout XL @ Aug 10th 2006 9:49AM

The Yellow ad was nicely done.

Everyone has to have a directorial debut. At least this guy'll have Jackson & WETA holding his hand.

Non Sequitur: I got kicked out of the Loaded Hog in Wellington when WETA and crew were shooting LoTR in 1999 (in a surprisingly small hill/park area in the middle of the city.) I think it was a combination of virgously defending Gridiron football and- you guessed it- beer.

In other words, the Loaded Hog must die.

Chip @ Aug 10th 2006 10:18AM

Anybody know what song is in the Citroen ad? It's really catchy.

TTL Jericho @ Aug 10th 2006 10:34AM

I was skeptical when I heard they were using a 'no-name' director (see Garth Jennings), but Blomkamp's work has a distinct look and style that I'm sure drew Jackson's eye. The Tempbot stuff is steller (pay attention Mr. Lucas) and looks so fuggin REAL.

I think I'm going to allow my self to be opptomistic with this choice.

PhantomVI @ Aug 10th 2006 11:30AM

Great, he's like a low-rent Chris Cunningham.

Shane Anderson @ Aug 10th 2006 12:39PM

I was really concerned to hear of a no name guy to be directing the movie...the movie from the only game acknoledged on the xbox. i really was hoping for someone with a spark and i am happy to say we got the geekiest and most creative son of a beesting in the business....Sweet