[dropcap]S[/dropcap]howmax is getting into original programming. The Naspers-owned Internet video streaming company said on Tuesday that it has begun filming the first “Showmax Original”, featuring SuzelleDIY star Julia Anastasopoulos.
The company said the new show, called Tali’s Wedding Diary, is a mockumentary about Tali, a “self-obsessed Sandton princess who’s moved to Cape Town and has hired a documentary crew to film the build-up to her wedding to her property agent fiancé Darren”.
Since introducing SuzelleDIY to YouTube, more than 70 Suzelle videos have been created, gaining almost 22m views, Showmax said. One video alone, How to Make a Cinderblock Bench, has clocked up more than 2,5m views.
Ari Kruger, co-creator and director of Tali’s Wedding Diary, has worked extensively as a director for commercials, music videos and online content. His short films have gained significant attention online and played in film festivals around the world, Showmax said.
“In 2014, the creative duo combined their skills and passion for comedy and developed a project outside of their commercial work. The result of this, SuzelleDIY, has now grown into a full-scale brand and business,” it added.
“Julia and Ari have since started a production company called Sketchbook Studios, which produces SuzelleDIY alongside an array of new characters and online content.”
Filming for Tali’s Wedding Diary is under way in Cape Town. The eight-part series will premiere on Showmax in December. Each episode will be about 20 minutes long.
Showmax said work is also underway on iNumber Number, an original co-production with Mzansi Magic, part of the M-Net stable. iNumber Number is a crime and corruption drama series based on the 2013 movie of the same name. — (c) 2017 NewsCentral Media