Bright lights, cameras and film crew have invaded prestigious boys' school Michaelhouse, where John van de Ruit is watching his book Spud come to life. by Nivashni Nair
A movie crew descended on the private boarding school in the KwaZuluNatal Midlands four days ago to transform a small dormitory room into the main set of the film of Van de Ruit's popular book.
The book tells of the experiences at boarding school in 1990 of a boy nicknamed "Spud" .
Yesterday, the excited author told The Times: "I never imagined that Spud would become this big. Watching the scene before me, I can say that it has been truthful to the book and I am very pleased with that."
He, like many on the set, was amazed at how much the lead actor, 14-year-old Australian Troye Sivan, fitted the description of Spud in the book.
"Troye is exactly the way I pictured Spud. The boys have just been amazing," Van de Ruit said.
Sivan was born in South Africa and moved to Perth at the age of two. His mother, Laurelle Mellet, joked: "I can't believe that I have to teach my little boy a South African accent."
She said Sivan was excited about playing Spud, whose character he loved while reading the book.
The other international actor, acclaimed British comedian John Cleese, will arrive in South Africa at the end of the month to play The Guv, an eccentric English teacher.
"For John Cleese to play a part in what is a relatively small movie, set in South Africa, I find just amazing.
"I am really excited because almost every [production] he plays a part in is big," Van de Ruit said.
On day three of shooting yesterday, a group of teenagers - many amateur actors - playing the famous Crazy Eight, relaxed in front of the cameras as they transformed into the lovable characters who have made readers laugh since the book was released in 2005.
Pupils who were at first curious about the movie shoot are now used to seeing camera equipment and actors.
The crew is using a small wing of one of the dormitories to avoid disrupting classes.
The movie is expected to be released this year.
