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I am Odette Schwegler, a globally experienced communications leader and award-winning storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience directing and producing broadcast content across international markets. I specialize in crafting strategic storytelling that transforms complex topics into compelling narratives, focusing on health, legal, and social impact. With a directorial approach grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose, I connect audiences to nuanced subjects and lead creative teams to deliver high-impact productions. Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to social causes, co-founding Tin Soldiers Global to serve ultra-rare disease communities and serving as a trustee for the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration. My work has received numerous international awards and recognition, reflecting my dedication to using film as a tool for social change and strategic communications.…I am Odette Schwegler, a globally experienced communications leader and award-winning storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience directing and producing broadcast content across international markets. I specialize in crafting strategic storytelling that transforms complex topics into compelling narratives, focusing on health, legal, and social impact. With a directorial approach grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose, I connect audiences to nuanced subjects and lead creative teams to deliver high-impact productions. Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to social causes, co-founding Tin Soldiers Global to serve ultra-rare disease communities and serving as a trustee for the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration. My work has received numerous international awards and recognition, reflecting my dedication to using film as a tool for social change and strategic communications.

Odette Schwegler

Film Director, Film Producer, Story Producer, +2

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I am Odette Schwegler, a globally experienced communications leader and award-winning storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience directing and producing broadcast content across international markets. I specialize in crafting strategic storytelling that transforms complex topics into compelling narratives, focusing on health, legal, and social impact. With a directorial approach grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose, I connect audiences to nuanced subjects and lead creative teams to deliver high-impact productions. Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to social causes, co-founding Tin Soldiers Global to serve ultra-rare disease communities and serving as a trustee for the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration. My work has received numerous international awards and recognition, reflecting my dedication to using film as a tool for social change and strategic communications.…I am Odette Schwegler, a globally experienced communications leader and award-winning storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience directing and producing broadcast content across international markets. I specialize in crafting strategic storytelling that transforms complex topics into compelling narratives, focusing on health, legal, and social impact. With a directorial approach grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose, I connect audiences to nuanced subjects and lead creative teams to deliver high-impact productions. Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to social causes, co-founding Tin Soldiers Global to serve ultra-rare disease communities and serving as a trustee for the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration. My work has received numerous international awards and recognition, reflecting my dedication to using film as a tool for social change and strategic communications.

Available to hire

I am Odette Schwegler, a globally experienced communications leader and award-winning storyteller with nearly 30 years of experience directing and producing broadcast content across international markets. I specialize in crafting strategic storytelling that transforms complex topics into compelling narratives, focusing on health, legal, and social impact. With a directorial approach grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose, I connect audiences to nuanced subjects and lead creative teams to deliver high-impact productions.

Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to social causes, co-founding Tin Soldiers Global to serve ultra-rare disease communities and serving as a trustee for the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration. My work has received numerous international awards and recognition, reflecting my dedication to using film as a tool for social change and strategic communications.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Afrikaans

Advanced

German

Beginner

Work Experience

Senior Journalist - Producer/Director at Carte Blanche

July 1, 1988 - January 30, 2016

As Senior Researcher for Carte Blanche, South Africa’s premier investigative journalism program, I was responsible for identifying and developing compelling story leads across a wide range of topics including health, legal, environmental, political, and human-interest issues. My work involved conducting in-depth investigations, verifying facts and source credibility, and preparing comprehensive research briefs and interview notes to support the production team. I contributed to scripting and storyboarding, liaised with sources, whistleblowers, experts, and stakeholders, and ensured all story development adhered to the highest legal and ethical standards. This role laid the foundation for my later work as a producer/director and strengthened my skills in analytical research, editorial strategy, and narrative development.

Broadcast News Journalist at SABC

January 1, 1997 - July 1, 1998

At SABC Evening News, I started as an input editor, managing incoming stories, verifying content, and ensuring accuracy for the evening broadcast. Working closely with reporters, I was also responsible for scripting and assisting in post-production. Within a few months of joining, I graduated to field reporting (on camera), where I covered a wide range of stories, from breaking news to feature reporting. As a field reporter, I also scripted the stories, conducted interviews, directed shoots, and assisted in post-production. I was later promoted to the economics desk as a specialist financial reporter, focusing on economic policies, market trends, and business developments. This role required in-depth research, the ability to interpret complex financial data, and present it in an accessible way for a broad audience. I left the broadcaster after being headhunted by Carte Blanche, South Africa’s leading investigative program, to further pursue my career in investigative journalism.