Instagram Story Save

My mom, @cheryljohnson966 , always called me a dreamer.

I was always crafting, building, imagining. In the backyard with my “PA,” turning everyday life into something bigger, something magical. Taking real stories and reshaping them into worlds that didn’t exist.

And then I read the book The Alchemist.( in my twenties)
That book changed everything. It taught me that dreaming wasn’t escape. It was creation. It was power. It was alchemy.

Dreams became the place where I felt most alive.

Because the reality of the 70s and 80s was something else entirely.

Walking through gang-infested neighborhoods.
Group areas ACT Ghettos. Townships.
Holding my baby brother’s hand, making sure we got home safe.
Running from the army and police.
Who spread fear with Tear gas. Rubber bullets.

That was real.

And maybe that’s why I dreamed so hard.
Because imagination wasn’t just creativity. It was survival.

Reality pushed me to build something different.
To design. To create. To transform.

That’s how I became who I am today.

So to every kid growing up in places that were never built to uplift them
Places shaped by a past that tried to limit you
Places forgotten by those in power

Don’t give up.

Dream bigger than your surroundings.
Create beyond your circumstances.
Turn what you feel into what you build.

Become an alchemist.

Huge Congratulations to each and everyone of you for winning the awards and what a massive privilege it was to work on this series with you all 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@warrengrays@renevanrooyen

Huge Congratulations to each and everyone of you for winning the awards and what a massive privilege it was to work on this series with you all 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@warrengrays@renevanrooyen

Huge Congratulations to each and everyone of you for winning the awards and what a massive privilege it was to work on this series with you all 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@warrengrays@renevanrooyen

THE TREK team takes the stage at JBX 🏜🐎

Join the team behind THE TREK on a deep dive into the grit, craft and vision of creating an African genre epic.

This year's JBX, hosted by @joburg_film_festival, promises to be an illuminating look at some of the industry's most pressing topics. Our TREK trio is proud to be speaking alongside industry titans such as Ozi Menakaya (CAA), Eddie Hamilton (Mission: Impossible) and Nathalie Folloroux (Canal+).

Crafting Story Through Set: A Masterclass in Production Design with @warrengrays
March 6 @ 11:00 am - 11:50 am

Frame by Frame: In focus with leading DOPS and Directors with @meekaaeel
March 6 @ 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm

The Women Who Lead: Power, Vision & Influence in Film & TV with @trixvivier
March 6 @ 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Warren Gray is an Emmy Award winning Production Designer and filmmaker based in Cape Town. He began his creative journey after qualifying as an Industrial Designer in 2000, where an early focus on form, function, and storytelling naturally led him into the film industry.

We are absolutely buzzing to welcome this leading voice in production design to our JBX Talks series, where he'll deliver a masterclass on the craft.

Get your JBX Industry Programme pass at the link in our bio.

JBX is part of Joburg Film Festival, which is proudly supported by @multichoice_group

#jbx #joburgfilmfestival

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

Today we're spotlighting PDC Member and Supporter Warren Gray (Catch Me A Killer, London Calling), an Emmy-winning South African production designer based in Cape Town with an expansive career spanning film, narrative TV and commercials for clients across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Africa.

@warrengrays describes his design philosophy as rooted in detailed world-building and technological innovation. He was an early adopter of SketchUp, once mapping an entire island on location in Mozambique—a process that brought architectural plans to life for Icon Pictures in New York.

Today, he continues to integrate advanced tools like LiDAR and Blender into his design workflow. Beyond his personal accomplishments, Gray is committed to sharing knowledge and inspiring his teams. His collaborative leadership style-and the authenticity he brings to his work-has been a powerful driver of excellence and innovation on set.

Swipe to see some of Warren's projects and get to know a bit about him. You can also learn more about Warren through his member page on the PDC website. Link in our Linktree!

--------------------------------------

Are you a member of the Collective interested in being featured on our website and in future supporter spotlights? Become a PDC Supporter!

When you support the PDC with a donation, you'll be featured on the PDC website and receive full access to PD360 — our online community, offering colleagues a space for real-time conversations, collaboration and peer-to-peer support. Link in our Linktree!

WARREN GRAY | MSA – MUZZLE: CITY OF WOLVES directed by John Stalberg with Production Design by Warren Gray. Premiering today in theaters!
@warrengrays @muzzlemovie @independentfilmco @highlandfilmgroup @rljefilms
#MuzzleCityofWolves

✨ THE TREK — Teaser Trailer Out Now ✨
A journey across wild frontiers, crafted with heart, grit, and incredible talent.
Honoured to share this with our incredible cast —
🎭 Cast
Morné Visser (@mornevisser71) Maurice Carpede (@mauricecarpede)
Rob van Vuuren (@robvanvuuren) Trix Vivier (@trixvivier)
Camilla Borghesani (@borghesani) Leah Lindeque (@leahlindeque)

🎬 A Resistance Pictures @resistance_pictures × @thedept.tv The Department of Special Projects Production
🎥 Directed by Meekaaeel Adam @meekaaeel
Produced by James C Williamson @jamescwilliamson & Warren Gray @warrengrays
Director / DOP: Meekaaeel Adam @meekaaeel
1st Assistant Director: Tony McLeod (@tonesmcleod)
2nd Assistant Directors: Thami Rangwaga | Cuan Prytz
📸 Camera Dept1st AC – Clarence Raymond (@clarenceraymond)
2nd AC – Brandon Louw (@brandon_louw24)
VTO – Yannick Lussier
Data Wrangler – Monwabisi “Mills” Mahlombe
🎨 Art Department
Production Designer – Warren Gray (@warrengrays)
Art Director – Roberto Bassi (@robertobassi)
Props Master – Jaco Loots (@jaco_9_)
Set Dressers – Marcelo Bassi | Patrick Gray | Alex Nkoy | Emmanuel Kamono
💡 Lighting & Grip Waseem Valli | Domingos Manuel | Keone Ashtin Bergh | Waheed Stevens | Werner Nortje | Zanru Theron | Bongani “Sakkie” Baloyi
💄 Hair / Makeup / Prosthetics Michaela Young (@m_y_makeup) | Jessica Nixon
👗 Costume Department
Courtney Taljaard (@skirrrrrtney) | Dihantus Engelbrecht (@dihantus1) | Zoe Georgina Kirkhoff | Lynzi McEvoy
🎧 Sound DepartmentRob Cilliers (foolosofical) | Gregan Aherin
📍 Unit & Locations Drikus White (@drikus.white1) | Jacob Pule | Rodney Govinder | Fanie Manganye | Christian Kibambe | Colin Cash. 🐎 Animal Wrangling
Garin van Munster (@garinvanmunster) | Stephany van Munster (@stephanyvmunster) | (@animal_attraction_za) | Ikeeram Salie | Niyaaz Brown | Craig Clifford | Clive Matthews | Juan August 💥 SFX & Rigging
Jose Losper (@joselosper) | Mxolisi “Alfie” Mkutswana | Tshepiso & Tshepang Mangwambi | Jaco van Niekerk | Mark Bowen Davies | Carmen Ferreira | Gerhard Lamprecht 📣 Publicity & EPK
Marku Boshoff (@markuboshoff)

WARREN GRAY | MSA – MUZZLE: CITY OF WOLVES directed by John Stalberg with Production Design by Warren Gray. Premiering November 14th in theaters!
@warrengrays @muzzlemovie @independentfilmco @highlandfilmgroup @rljefilms
#MuzzleCityofWolves

@londoncalling_movie

Building a world of the 90s SouthAfrica - Flash back to Catch me a killer Series@rooyenrenevan @traceylarcs @dinobenedetti @jacqueswstemmet missing @brettmichaelinnes @fahemahendricks 📷 @vesartjie .

Thank you @shots_creative for having me as a judge for Production Design Shots AWARDS EMEA 2025. I’m truly honored to share my perspective on the creation of worlds and stories through art direction, set design, and decoration. What a privilege it is to witness the incredible talent our industry has to offer from across the globe. #shotsawards #productiondesign #tvc #artdirection #casting