Westley Durand began his career in Cape Town from the ground up, starting as a Production Assistant before gaining experience across multiple departments, including lighting, camera, casting, and production. He ultimately found his passion in the Assistant Directing department, where he established himself as one of the industry’s respected First Assistant Directors.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Westley has worked on international and local feature films, television series, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and digital campaigns. Alongside his work as a First Assistant Director, he has directed and produced a number of passion projects and was awarded a Golden Loerie in 2024 for Best Online Campaign. 

While his career has covered many aspects of production, it is his extensive experience as a First Assistant Director that has given him an exceptional understanding of the practical, creative, and logistical demands of bringing projects to life. His hands-on knowledge of every stage of production enables him to anticipate challenges, build strong teams, and consistently deliver results. He has worked with virtually every production company in South Africa, where he has learned from some of the best on what to do and what not to do.

Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to developing crew and talent, Westley has always been passionate about helping crew members and creatives grow their careers within the industry. This people-first philosophy, combined with his broad production expertise, gives him a unique understanding of both client objectives and production realities.

In 2025, Westley founded Go West Productions with a vision to deliver world-class creative content and production services. The company launched with international fashion stills campaigns, social content, and documentary projects, and has since expanded into larger-scale commercial productions for both local and international clients.