Law and Order, the brainchild of creator Dick Wolf, is set to start filming in Cape Town in the coming year. This was confirmed by Denis Lillie, the CEO of the Cape Film Commission, who recently met with Africa HD producers, James Makawa (CEO) and Kenny Christmas (COO), who are putting together Law & Order Cape Town.
The series, which will be shot on location, will follow the same theme as its American and British counterparts.
Law and Order has turned into one of entertainment’s pre-eminent brands using a distinct, ripped from the headlines format, and has spawned the successful spinoffs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crime & Punishment and Law & Order: Trial by Jury.
This realistic yet fictional drama looks at crime and justice from a dual perspective. According to TV.com, Law & Order delivers some of the highest ratings on television, ranking fourth for any drama on any network among adults aged 18-49 for the past four full seasons. Season-to-date, the show remains a top-25 series among adults aged 18-49, a top-20 series in total viewers and one of the most upscale dramas on television.
According to Commissioner Denis Lillie: “Africa HD has secured the format rights to a South African franchise of Law and Order. They intend to start filming the first 12 part series in May of 2012. The series will be entirely based in Cape Town and will feature a South African cast. In addition, the majority of the crew will be sourced locally. To facilitate this, the producers have partnered with local production company DO Productions. The Cape Film Commission has promised to give them hands-on assistance with securing locations, permits and any other aspects to do with filming that they will require.”
The series presents a rare opportunity to showcase the city to watchers around the world.
“With its wide audience base, this show will tap directly into the homes of potential tourists. In addition to tourism revenue, each of the twelve episodes will generate around R3 million for the local economy, and create much needed jobs in the film industry. The road closures and minor inconveniences associated with the shoot will be offset multiple times by the gains that the region will incur,” said Denis.
There is also the prospect of spin-off business from this new venture. Africa HD, part of the M-Net family, is planning a new global satellite and cable channel, which will be dedicated to African content in high definition.
The Western Cape Government and city of Cape Town, which both fund the Cape Film Commission and view the sector as an important catalyst for economic growth, have given their full support to the project.
Western Cape Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, said: “… We wish the producers all the best, and commit to partner with the CFC in giving them full support with anything that they may need.”
Tourism, Events and Marketing Councillor, Alderman Grant Pascoe, added: “The city of Cape Town is fully behind this project, and we will ensure that the producers experience Cape Town as the film friendly city that it is… ”
According to Zintle Simelela of the Cape Film Commission, there are currently very sensitive discussions under way with Africa HD, and those involved in the production of the Law and Order Cape Town project are not divulging anything at present.
However, they’ve promised to keep us updated on new finalised developments, so keep watching this space.– Sunday Tribune