“I'm just trying to figure out, 'What the hell just happened?'” What a privilege! ”
Neil Sandilands is back with another of his favorite shows. Dai Groot Nyx.
The second season of the show premiered last Saturday, October 5th.
This season is even bigger, with visually captivating scenes as Sandilands explores the beautiful landscapes of Namibia.
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A new approach to “De Groot Nyx”
talk to The CitizenSandilands said he wanted to avoid simply making a sequel to Season 1.
Instead, he said he approached the new season with fresh eyes, aiming to bring surprise and spontaneity to his role as host.
“From the beginning, I decided not to make a 'sequel,' despite the obvious slot TV consideration,” he said.
Sandilands said the three years since his first season have given him a different perspective.
“So, personally, I was in a different headspace. My view of things might be a little different. First of all, I was a little less serious, and as a 'host' I think I've become more comfortable with myself. That allowed me to improvise a little more.
“I also think the creators and staff trusted me even more than they did when we first aired it, and I trusted them even more. It's not that anything was missing in the first season, it's just that we had a symbiotic relationship. Improved.
“Content-wise, in a word, it far exceeded my expectations. It would be a sad mistake to think of these barren landscapes in black and white. The diversity, the beauty of nature. The ambience and the different sense of time created something completely otherworldly. Overall, I expect the second season to be better than the first. But that's for the audience to decide.
Memorable moments from season 2
Filming the second season Dai Groot Nyx It included several moments that left a lasting impact on Sandilands.
He highlighted his visit to the Kunene Estuary, a place he had never been before, as one of his most memorable experiences.
Another remarkable moment was a chance meeting with Namibia's Poet Laureate Charles Zandberg, which left a deep impression on him.
He hinted that there are other gems in this season that viewers will have to find for themselves.
Sandilands said he hoped viewers would grapple with some of the deeper questions he was thinking about on the show this season.
“If anything, we try to have conversations about things that we all share, but somehow we just don't have the vocabulary, time, urgency or opportunity to talk,” he said.
He said the aim was to explore existential questions about life and nature, not to find definitive answers, but rather to become more comfortable with uncertainty.
Neil Sandilands SAMA nomination
Sandilands was once again nominated for the South African Music Awards (SAMA) this year.
He said this nomination is encouragement and validation to continue his musical journey.
But he said he was surprised by the nomination.
“I don't really know what to make of it. Naturally, people are happy and give a big shout out to the whole team of collaborators. My first two musical works both won SAMA awards. What do you get from it?
“Maybe it's a kind of validation for me to continue doing what I'm doing. Yes, I think that's it. Encouragement. Validation. It also means I have to move forward in a more considered way. .
“I was surprised when I saw the nominations. To be honest, I feel like I know too little. Why not try harder? As long as I enjoy it, I'll put it out there.” It may sound like a cliché, but if even one other person is moved by the shared understanding, the effort will not be in vain.
“Having one person (actually two) nominated for SAMA confirms that perhaps more than a few people share this particular point of potential. It emphasizes my own responsibility to not take things for granted. So, thank you.”
Speaking about the inspiration behind his latest album, Sandilands explained that he sees his work as a way to understand the fleeting nature of life.
He described his album as an artistic expression that allows him to reflect on his experiences.
He said that for him, making music is a more fulfilling pursuit than other endeavors because it brings a sense of wholeness and purpose.
planet of the apes franchise
Sandilands recently played the role of Coro in the third installment of Planet of the Apes.
He said it was an honor to be a part of such an iconic series, and although he went through multiple auditions before landing the role and found himself on set in Australia, he was still in awe of the opportunity. He said he was thinking about it.
“I'm just trying to wrap my head around a little bit of, 'What the hell just happened?'” Feeling. What a privilege! ”
He said one of the highlights and unique experiences of playing Koro was working with a real bald eagle.
He also faced the challenge of adapting to motion capture technology, which was new territory for him, but received support and guidance from seasoned professionals like Andy Serkis.
“This is something very technical, and there are a lot of people involved in bringing the performance to its final form. Just having a conversation with Andy Serkis about these objectives made me feel temporarily intimidated. Maybe.
“Then you settle it. I was struck by the level of generosity and professionalism of people like Andy. Nothing was left to their whims.
“Everything was considered. I just want to say that this process felt 'on hold'. I never felt like I was in the dark. ”
As for what's next for his career, Sandilands said he's keeping his options open.
While hinting at the possibility of studying law, he also expressed a desire to continue exploring his artistic passions.
“I feel happy to be a part of what was essentially my hobby. It's my 36th year. It'll be fun to do it all until the bell rings. What's next? Continue “Keep going,” he said.
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