Archive for April, 2009
By Silence Genti
For years, an uneasy relationship has been the norm between the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and independent film producers. The latter complained of the state-owned broadcaster’s closed- door policy against them. ZBC has in its twenty years of existence not done much local entertainment production. Most of its programming has been, and is, foreign.
In November 1999, Daves Guzha, an actor and director of a Zimbabwean arts management company, Rooftop Promotions presented a television pilot project to the ZBC. After long negotiations with the ZBC board, the co-production of Waiters, a popular stage comedy began in October 2000. Zimbabwean viewers were finally able to watch a quality, locally-produced sitcom towards the end of last year. Why has it taken so long for the ZBC to enter into such co-productions? “Some people have attempted to do it before. They have been doing it the wrong way,” said Guzha. “You have to meet each other half way.” It would have cost Creative Native (Rooftop’s film unit) Z$4.6 million (US$84,000) to produce the set of six episodes of Waiters. But because ZBC brought in its equipment into the partnership, only Z$1,5 million (US$27,000) was pumped into the production. Under Creative Native’s agreement with ZBC, the state broadcaster assumes the territorial rights whilst the independent film producer retains a larger portion of the regional and international rights to the comedy. Creative Native also gets all the proceeds from the sale of the video which the company will produce initially for the Zimbabwean market. Directed by experienced British theatre and stage director Roy Barber, the sitcom is set in a café owned by three men of different races. The first five instalments, written by prolific playwright Steve Chifunyise, deal with the problems the three face in getting their restaurant licensed and establishing a customer base. Young actor Jasen Mpepho, is sure to win audiences with his infectious smile and lively conduct as the Mozambican chef. “It’s long overdue,” said Walter Mparutsa, a veteran of over twenty local and international feature films. Mparutsa is one of the many talented actors in the comedy. He believes Waiters will make a difference because people with the right skills have been used.
Contact: Rooftop Promotions, tel: +263 4 775371, email: rooftop@zol.co.zw