Star Film Rentals boasts the largest fleet of actor trailers in South Africa, which are a far cry from the early days when actors were housed in caravans and camper vans during film shoots. The company grew from this need, building trailers from scratch as they were required.

It may have started with two, then six, but the fleet now comprises 34 trailers, including make-up and production trailers, and seven trucks. These trailers have housed stars such as Steven Seagal, Julio Iglesias, Mr. T and Samuel L. Jackson, among others. Celine Dion once commented to her make-up artist that it was one of the nicest trailers she’s ever used.

Chances are if you’re on a film shoot in South Africa, you’re going to see a Star Film trailer on the set. The company has supplied trailers for Ask the Dust, Generation Kill, 10 000BC, The Bang Bang Club, The Prisoner and Silent Witness.

Sales and admin manager Martin Offersen recalls how one of Star Film Rentals trailers was even featured in a film, The Deal, with Meg Ryan, William H. Macy and LL Cool J. “The set designers approached us to build a trailer for the lead actor in the movie, which was about a movie within a movie. They wanted us to really bling it out. Eventually they just rented one of our trailers and spraypainted it black. Obviously our trailers that they were renting were also used in the movie, but LL Cool J’s one stood out from the rest.”

There are three different types of artist trailers to choose from: the Star, Double Banger and Triple Banger. The Star is a luxury 11 meter trailer that comprises a lounge, full kitchen, bedroom, and separate shower and water closet.

There is also a DVD player with surround sound, writing desk and flat screen television. The Double Banger is a nine meter double bedroomed trailer, while the Triple Banger, as the name describes so aptly, is three bedroomed, ideal for commercial shoots.

The artist trailers are all undergoing refurbishment to give them a luxurious African feel. Accounts manager Gaylen Silvey explains how the interiors have been redone with wood paneling, leather couches, and rich textures. The plain white panels of the past have been re-painted in more modern shades, and guests can now enjoy stylised African prints, which complements the rich mahogany used throughout.

Gaylen says that most of the African-style décor in the trailers is sourced from local crafters, adding to the sustainability of their small businesses. “If I need a reed mat or a woven basket I don’t just buy one, I buy 24 at a time,” Martin adds. Some of the newly refurbished trailers are already being used on shoots, and Martin insists the responses have been worth the effort. “They really appreciate the difference.”

As an aside Martin mentions he might increase the refurbishments to include the exteriors but for the time being he is focussing on the interiors, making them as comfortable and as home-awayfrom- home as possible. So watch this space. Philip Roodman, operations manager at Star Film Rentals, says the trailers are ideal for South African locations. “Our trailers are made for the rough terrain. They have a higher suspension for off road and they’re also higher off the ground. They can go a lot of places, such as the desert, or for example, a shoot we recently completed in Mozambique. They are also adaptable so we can always accommodate changes a client wants.”

Other than the artist trailers, Star Film Rentals have the six and nine meter production trailers, which are made with production in mind. These furnished and network enabled units have also been used at events such as the opening of Waterfront Studios, the Pick n Pay Argus Cycle Tour and even the launch of the Breede River Water Project. There is also the Hercules eight meter camera truck and the Athena range of make-up trailers, which Martin assures, is just as plush as the artist trailers because “we love our make up artists.” The company is now gearing up for 2010, which looks to be a bumper year for the film industry.

The demand outside Cape Town for Star Film Rental trailers is so big that the company is considering opening a branch further north in the near future. For more information on the products and services offered by Star Film Rentals please click here.
Sally Fink