This one is for the ladies. Vuzu Amp starts the year on a high note with new shows that include aYeYe, a hip drama about three young men trying to make it big in the ad world in Joburg. Before you dismiss it as something you have seen before, know that Bomb Shelter (Yizo Yizo, Zone 14 and Isibaya) are behind it and they always seem to know what they are doing. The three main actors on aYeYe are Thapelo Mokoena, SK Khoza and Mpho Popps.
“The funny thing is I was at Bomb to audition for my character on Isibaya, Thabiso, and in between the auditions one of the producers spoke about their 2015 plans, including aYeYe. They asked if I could audition for the character Neo and I went for callbacks 17 times before they could take me on,” explained Khoza.
The role differs from the parts he has played before.
“I played the ‘player’ so many times, but with Neo there are things about him some people may relate to. He may be a cheeseboy, but he looks after his mother. He has a daughter who is six years old and he needs to take care of her so it’s a good character to play.”
Comedian Popps, who hasn’t done much TV acting, was also happy to be part of the cast.
“I got a call from Bomb and I went to audition. The funny thing I discovered was how close to me the character was. As I read through I kept saying: ‘I know this guy, I am this guy’ and when they gave it to me I screamed like a girl,” he said.
Popps has done some TV work before.
“I used to do comedy skits on Laugh Out Loud and we shot a short film which was showcased at the Durban International Film Festival. Not that it’s much, but it took me somewhere. I also asked the seasoned guys like Thapelo (Mokwena) to help me to be better. I wanted them to critique me honestly so I could learn fast,” he said.
International model, Kaone Kario, who is based in New York, also took time to take part in the making of the show. She plays a model with a shady side and her life intertwines with that of the guys on a regular basis.
“I love TV and yet I have never acted before so it is going to be intriguing to see the outcome of my efforts. That said, I am very nervous. The show has a life of its own even before it airs and that’s exciting. We want everyone to like it but you also know that you can’t be everyone’s cup of coffee,” said Kario.
For her the challenge is also getting to know the character that she is playing and breathing life into it in ways that make it believable.
“Some things are comfortable for my character but not for Kaone, but I am aware that you are playing pretend. Modelling itself is an act.”
The idea for the show came from producer, Kutlwano Ditsele who drew inspiration from his own life experiences.
“When I first got to Bomb I had the idea already. I used to live with three friends in a loft and we were trying to start our own companies. We all had big dreams of making it in entertainment. One of my friends asked if I could write something similar to our lives,” explained Ditsele. And here it is.
• aYeYe premieres on Monday at 9pm on Vuzu Amp (DStv Channel 114).