South African free-to-air commercial broadcaster e.tv commissioned a new local romantic comedy series, Mzansi Love: Kasi Style, based on the popular Nollybooks novels published by Moky Makura.
The series is produced by Makura’s MME Media and Fireworx Media.
According to producer Bridget Pickering from Fireworx Media, they filmed six episodes of 46 minutes each. “Production started in June 2012 and all the episodes were shot in five weeks at locations all over Johannesburg,’ notes Pickering.
The series first aired on 31 July in the 8.30pm timeslot and each episode is a stand-alone rom-com featuring a variety of female protagonists, from an aspiring chef to a budding journalist and an eclectic marketing executive.
A Panasonic P2 camcorder was used to film the series, as well as a dolly and tracks. The camera and other equipment were rented from Panavision and Media Film Service.
Pickering notes that they were aiming to create a “bright, warm look with strong colours that celebrate love’. Kino Flos were used for lighting.
Mokura adds: “Bridget and I had a very limited budget to work with but managed to come up with a viable production model so that the movies wouldn’t look low budget.
“Our crew was small (15 to 18 people) and we filmed all six movies in a short time, with no more than five actors in each movie. We had fantastic scriptwriters and four directors, one of whom directed three of the films. e.tv has been incredibly supportive throughout the project.’
The four directors are Mmabatho Montsho, Zamo Mkhwanazi, Neo Ntlatleng and Myrto Makrides.
Offline post-production was done at Fireworx Media and online at Sasani Studios. Editing was done on Final Cut 7.
When the show was introduced to the media, e.tv’s head of Channels Monde Twala noted that they have increased their local content quota significantly over the past two years, because their viewers consistently want more.
“Mzansi Love: Kasi Style is built around the eKasi brand (eKasi: Our Stories) which has proved itself over and over again. It generates good ratings and delivers refreshing and inspiring stories to the market. Mzansi Love: Kasi Style comprises gritty, real and uplifting stories about young women falling in love.’
Screen Africa magazine – August 2012
