When one imagines Africa, great plains, thick jungle, vast deserts, even huge cities come to mind. But fortunately, in Cape Town at least, they also have blow-up dolls. "We were requested to put one in the agency producer's hotel room - we gave him a Big Mama," says Dale Kushner, president of Africa Film Services, describing what one imagines must be the perverted pneumatic version of Aunt Jemima.

Usually, Kushner finds himself dealing with more mundane requests as a service provider, like running shoots in tension-ridden Angola, Namibia or Zimbabwe.

Though the company reps several directors and has its hands in other aspects of the industry, its bread and butter is services - and most of that is recreating parts of Europe and America for international clients. "There are a few jobs like Jeep or Land Rover, where they want Africa. But for the most part it's standing in. We call Cape Town 'the world in one city'."

Even so, Kushner prides himself on opening up new and exotic locations for shooting. "People think they know Africa after they've been to Cape Town - but the continent is very diverse." Sometimes people need convincing, especially about safety. Kushner brushes aside the notion. "Africa is like anywhere else, there are good places and bad places." Which might be difficult to explain to someone who gets all their information from CNN. For those adventurous enough, Kushner is saving up some "secret locations".

Despite the reluctance of some, others see the value. AFS has just finished a job for Macy's where they reproduced a large part of the department store in Cape Town, an eight-day job Kushner calls "challenging".

Another reason to go to South Africa is the celestial mechanics. Because of the reversal of season, things always pick up whenever winter grips New York and summer is ablaze in Jo'burg. Although this effect also applies to other places on the map, Kushner notes a few differences. "We compete with South America but we have English crew and talent. And hopefully, we will always be cheaper than Australia." Ultimately, he reasons, "people come back because they really enjoy it and they get the work done".

AFS> www.africafilmservices.com