The former Political Science and Psychology student literally got thrown into the film making industry, when he accepted a job as a runner for a film company to pay for his studies at the University of Pretoria.
“Real men make their own luck.” These are the words that guided van Schalkwyk to become an entrepreneur, after leaving his assistant director job in the Department of Information. “I quit my job. Cleared out my guest room and made it my office. Then I registered a company name and waited for the phone to ring.” The phone did not ring. He then made a list of prospective clients and started knocking on their doors. Paul has worked uncompromisingly hard to be what he is today. A filmmaker who has documented Namibian splendour, like ‘The Mane Event’ a film about the lions of Etosha for the National Geographic Channel. He developed quite an international standing as cinematographer and has collaborated with big film companies in Europe and the USA as cameraman on various different international productions.
He states that his business partners have a major input in the work he creates. “David Ogilvy said, if you appoint people who are smaller than you, you will end up a company of dwarfs". Paul states: “You should surround yourself with giants and they will lift you up. I consider this a statement that strikes so much truth in my life as a filmmaker. My partners and employees are all bigger and more talented than I am, they make me stronger because together we are able to reach heights I would not have attained on my own. They create a space to produce.”
Van Schalkwyk is living proof that there is no substitute for hard work. “I did not study photography or film making, I live it.” In his photographic feast, a book entitled, ‘Three Nights in Amsterdam,’ with interpretations by Anika Jäger, he illustrates reality in Amsterdam. Here van Schalkwyk reinforces the power of a creative eye, creating the entire content with a little consumer point-and-shoot automatic Sony digital camera.
His future remains untold. But Paul definitely has more to offer. He states a documentary on the desert is a definite milestone for him. “I dream of producing the ultimate desert film which will encapsulate the incredible beauty and fascinating life in the desert.” He is also a pilot and intends to do as much flying as possible before he gets too old to be safe in the air anymore. His current program also includes judging the Windhoek international film festival in April.
“By returning to minimalism, you keep your feet on the ground. I have hiked the Fish River Canyon, with my whole survival on my back.” This experience taught him that human beings are microscopic related to Mother Nature, and that it should be recognized. He also states, that a travel through Europe in 1975, changed his perception to relate as an African. He became very sensitized as a result of this. When he travels he cannot help but notice reference to Africa or perceptions about our continent and our people. Thus he invests in illustrating the positive beauty of Namibia.
Having done everything from advertisements, corporate work, training videos and even wedding videos, his objective remains to celebrate capturing diverse gifts of society and the environment. Van Schalkwyk even participated in ARTIADE where artists from around the world are selected to participate in an art exhibition, which coincides with the Olympic Games. During the last games in Athens only nine entries from Africa was selected out of more than a hundred. He was one of the nine.
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