South Africa’s first ever location-based soap, The Wild, recently recorded its 209th episode, marking the start of Season 2. This landmark is particularly significant considering the soap’s rocky start back in February 2011.
Screen Africa readers may recall the launch of The Wild, produced by pay-TV broadcaster M-Net, was marred by a picket organised by unions supporting actor Tony Kgoroge’s refusal to sign M-Net’s contract.
This was followed by lots of press, debates around M-Net contracts and a protest march outside the broadcaster’s headquarters in Randburg. Shortly afterwards unsubstantiated rumours of racism on set surfaced, followed by the resignation of the series’ executive producers.
Bobby Heaney from Imani Media was brought in to executive produce The Wild. “I was tasked with taking the soap to the next level as it’s a huge operation logistically. In terms of the initial issues with the actors’ contracts, all differences have been resolved and all our artists are contracted until February 2013. We have a very united and happy company.’
He points out that the beginning of the second series was critical because it meant that M-Net had approved the continuation of the show for another year.
Says Heaney: “If we had not been doing well, the story would have ended at the end of the first series. Season 2 is also important for me personally because during the first season I had to operate with fixed contracts created by my predecessors. With the second season contracts in place, I can organise things in the way I believe they will work best.
“The beginning of The Wild was perhaps more troubled than most soaps, including a major bush fire which nearly burned down our location. It has been a challenging but ultimately a very satisfying process to improve the logistics around the show and make it easier for the cast and crew to give their absolute best on such an onerous production. The shooting schedule put a lot of strain on the cast and crew and it was my task to make it sustainable long-term.
“There is a genuine excitement and pride about our second year. Our sets and locations have expanded to give viewers a more comprehensive experience of the bush in a uniquely South African setting. We have developed a very strong, new storyline and cast one of South Africa’s top actors in the role.’
The move in January 2012 from the 6pm time slot to 7pm was in response to viewer demand.
Heaney continues: “We worked really hard to ramp up the script to make the first few weeks in the new time slot very exciting. In the first week we had the wedding of Lelo and Tiro and in week two we shocked the viewers with Tiro’s assassination. The response from fans was extraordinary and Twitter activity shot up more than 600% – #Tiro trended at number three in South Africa and Facebook experienced similar growth.
“Of course, some press immediately suggested that the actor’s exit was due to a dispute. On the contrary, the storyline was planned right from the start and was discussed with the actor even before his contract was signed.’
The high production quality of the soap was recognised by the industry recently with no less four SAFTA wins out of seven nominations.
Screen Africa magazine- May 2012
