! BL!NK TEAM LEADERS

ODETTE SCHWEGLER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / DIRECTOR

Odette is an internationally acclaimed Director and producer who has been creating content, telling stories and impacting communities for over two decades. Her values and passionate leadership drive Bl!nk’s ethos. The desire to dig deeper, to provoke thought, to create meaningful, engaging stories and to add value to the life of the person watching. Listed among the 40 most influential people in South African media under 40 (Media Magazine 2013), Odette has established herself as a successful businesswoman and content strategist, a skilled director, and a proficient executive producer.

A philanthropist with a passion to serve, Odette has supported numerous charities over the years – including the NSRI, JAM International, Hospice, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, Seeds of Hope, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Sunflower Fund.

Perhaps most notable are her ongoing contributions to raising awareness and improving care for ALS patients – particularly in South Africa’s underserved communities. Alongside Joost van der Westhuizen, Odette established the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration in 2014 and currently helps manage the NPO, while serving as a Director of the board.

Through the making of the feature length documentary, Tin Soldiers, which shines a light on people living with one of the world’s most rare conditions Odette has been instrumental in igniting the FOP outreach and patient identification program – a global initiative which she now leads.

VANDA HARRIES
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE

Vanda is a seasoned marketing professional with 30 years in brand-building, marketing and communications.

She has a sound understanding of what it takes to build brands, attract the right customers and turn them into loyal brand fans, online as well as in physical spaces.

With a telecommunications theme running through her career having worked for MTN, Cell C and Virgin Mobile (mvno), she loves the start-up environment having been at all three of these organisations, as well as others, in their infancy.

MICHEAL YELSETH
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Michael Yelseth is an award-winning Director of Photography and Cinematographer who has directed, operated and taken lead camera on scores of local and international productions.

A visual craftsman with over two decades of experience, Michael has a an exceptional ability to tell stories through the lens. His is an unique eye, capturing textures and subtleties that are his signature style.

Storytelling is at the heart of Michael’s cinematography, whether he is working in fiction, documentary, advertising or unscripted reality.

Alone or part of a team he has a reputation for steering large crews with decisiveness and agility while mentoring new talent.

Sometimes working in challenging enviroments he strives to create images that take audiences on a emotional visceral journey.

Michael’s work includes Mark Burnett’s Survivor, The Amazing Race as well as numerous National Geographic and other big name productions. Among his many accolades is a Group Emmy Award and several other international awards and nominations.

Specialties:

Sometimes working in challenging locations Michael directs and films broadcast programming across a range of genres, including: News, current affairs, documentary, lifestyle, unscripted entertainment, advertising and branded content.