THE Bomb Shelter has a legacy for producing groundbreaking offerings on local screens.
On the TV front, they gave us Yizo Yizo, Soul Buddyz, Zone 14 and Jacob’s Cross. Isibaya took their success to greater heights. The telenovela-turned-soap has been cleaning up at all the awards ceremonies. And the ARs have been going through the roof, so to speak.
But their cutting-edge exploits haven’t ended there– they recently gave us aYeYe, which explores the world of advertising via the trials and tribulations of three rising young black creatives who are also friends.
With these two shows on the same channel, The Bomb Shelter charted a new train of thought – merging the two worlds, albeit for a brief story arc.
Desireé Markgraaff, the managing director and producer, explains this rarely undertaken exploit on home soil. Of course, it’s common practice in the US.
She reveals: “We featured a red Mercedes sports car on Isibaya. In the storyline, the owner bought and fixed it, only to discover it was stolen. It the current series, his wife Thandeka (Nomzamo Mbatha) decides to go looking for the car and wants to buy it back.
“Then, in aYeYe, our lead character, JK (Thapelo Mokoena), drives the same red car. We thought, ‘wouldn’t it be fun, if she goes looking for the car and buys it from this character?’ And the worlds of both these shows exist as much as the characters. As it was on the same channel, we wanted to integrate it in a fun way.”
With audiences so visually and technologically-driven, especially on social media, it seemed a win-win situation on many levels – and the channel’s creative team agreed.
Markgraaff also points: “We did this before. It was a small crossover between Jacob’s Cross and a show called Shuga. But it sort of flew under the radar here.
She adds: “We have had really fantastic feedback from ratings and social media. We were a bit nervous about aYeYe as it was quite edgy. But we were keen to do a show that is set in a young, new South African space. Also, I think audiences love to be surprised.”
Meanwhile, Mokoena, aside from being one of the leads in aYeYe, is also exploring life behind the camera these days. Oh, and he is a proud new dad, too.
He comments: “As an actor, I’m constantly searching for challenging scripts – something that offers out-of-the-box content. aYeYe was that for me. I enjoy playing characters who have that trials-and-tribulations kind of journey. It gives you range as a performer. JK is a young man, coming of age, taking over the world and navigating the big, bad city of Joburg. He goes through the best and worst. It’s a human journey.”
On his first response to the crossover storyline, he laughs: “My instant reaction was very ‘ha-ha’. Obviously, if the same production house is behind it and developing the storylines, they know how to tie and untie everything. They way they did it was interesting. I call it the tricks of the trade. And they tied it in, but not at the expense of the audience.”
That was something he appreciated not just as an actor, but as a film-maker too.
Mokoena shares: “I have, literally, started working on TV content with my production company, Easy Sundays Productions. I produce a lot of movies across the board. I’m also busy with mobile cinema, giving communities a chance to experience outdoor cinema.”
And he is looking forward to the release of Golden Highway at some point this year.
On his juggling act with different hats these days, he smiles: “Oh man, they say, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’. I don’t know where the energy and zest comes from. I want to produce films and act in some of them. I’m inspired by the process. We have a growing film industry, a storytelling industry. And we have become more confident playing on a global stage. It is a good time and space for us. I’m also a new father. My son is 11 months old. So there is a lot of hard work that goes in, but I make sure there is enough time to rest and for family.”
So if Mokoena pops up on Isibaya – there is no need to be surprised or confused!
l Isibaya, weekdays at 8.30pm on Mzansi Magic. aYeYe, Fridays, at 9pm.