City Press It has been more than a month since the national lockdown to limit the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus forced all TV and film productions to grind to a halt, but the industry got some relief this week in the form of an announcement that productions may recommence, subject to strict on-set protocols: no kissing or facial intimacy in any performance, a maximum of 50 people on set inclusive of cast members, the use of masks on set and adherence to social distancing rules.
But actors did not have a problem with the protocols and were just happy to be back on set. Actor Zolisa Xaluva, who plays Melusi in Mzansi Magic’s telenovela Gomora, said he was privileged to be working at a time when most people found themselves in limbo and facing financial strain. “It is a blessing, but it feels weird driving to and from work without experiencing the normal Joburg traffic,” said Xaluva.
“I must say, it affects my natural rhythm – there is something about the buzz you feel in the streets that inspires you to go get your dream, and it gives you the feeling that it is valid and indeed conceivable. I feel short-changed.” Xaluva admitted that the experience on his first day back at work was not great. Being forced to distance himself from others had a deep psychological effect on him as an actor. He also shared that it was still tough to adjust to social distancing, wearing a mask all the time, working with a smaller crew and sanitising constantly.
“But I take it one day at a time and I pray we go back to normal soon. We thrive on human interaction. I feel cheated because I miss lunchtime conversations. We usually congregate as cast and crew to catch up and have some downtime,” he said. Asavela Mngqithi, who plays Ntwenhle Ndlovu in the award-winning Isibaya, also returned to work this week and said it was a challenge to adapt to the strict regulations.
“They have very strict rules on set and it’s weird working with masks and keeping social distance, but it feels good to be back at work. We all have to learn to work safely and to protect each other,” said Mngqithi. Online consumption of visual entertainment has increased quite a lot, to the extent of forcing digital content providers to drop their picture definition and bit rate percentages. International streaming service Netflix already has its gaze firmly on local talent. Kagiso Lediga’s drama series Queen Sono has been picked up for a second season. And, just this week, Netflix announced its intention to back another domestic production, Jiva! – a vibrant urban story that unfolds on the streets of Durban, telling the tale of Ntombi, a young woman who finds herself boxed in by her mundane existence until the gift of dance becomes an exit strategy for her.
