AFRIKAANS LONG-RUNNING DRAMA

Closing date 01/06/2024

PLATFORM: SHOWMAX

GENRE: Long-running Drama. SUBGENRE – Workforce, Romance, Comedy, Light Drama, Dramedy

LANGUAGE: Predominantly Afrikaans. (Must skew Afrikaans, but will allow for diversity in other languages as long as it is authentic and organic)

DURATION: 30min drama x 90 episodes

BUDGET: Dependant on concept

DEMOGRAPHIC:

SHOWMAX is searching for a fresh and innovative long-running Afrikaans Drama with comedic and romantic elements that can captivate Afrikaans audiences from all walks of life.

This series should resonate with Afrikaans Showmax viewers and should focus on the diverse and broad age group of 25 to 35. This series should reflect the dynamic and evolving interests of this target audience and meet them where they are, but also challenge them.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

The series should resonate with a broad range of Afrikaans cultural perspectives and engage with issues that matter to today’s viewers in the 25-35 age group, especially viewers who are entering the workplace for the first time. The target market would straddle the Gen Z and Millennial generations and should aim to find common ground in what these viewers find appealing, resonant, and engaging.

We're looking for a narrative that truly connects with these audiences on a personal level, addressing their desires, aspirations, and perspectives.

DETAIL:

SHOWMAX seeks a compelling and engaging long-running light drama/ dramedy series aimed at capturing the attention of viewers aged 25-35.

The series should run for 90 episodes, and each episode should be 30 minutes in length.

The series should revolve around the theme of a group of young(ish) characters entering the workforce for the first time, and exploring the challenges, triumphs, and humorous moments that come with navigating and balancing new careers and personal lives in today's fast-paced world. We are looking for a series that strikes a balance between comedy and drama, offering viewers relatable characters and engaging storylines.

The core narrative should focus on a group of friends entering the workplace for the first time, and as they step into the professional world, they encounter a spectrum of experiences, from excitement and ambition to disillusionment and ethical dilemmas while also navigating their personal journeys, identity, and relationships at work and home. Each character brings a unique perspective and set of aspirations, adding layers to the interconnected web of friendships, rivalries, and romances that develop within the workplace setting, and also away from it.

The series should capture the dynamics of this transition period, depicting the characters' struggles to establish themselves, make tough decisions, and navigate office politics while juggling their personal and social lives away from the office. Themes of mentorship, competition, identity, romance, and personal growth should be interwoven into the narrative, showcasing the challenges and opportunities that come with that period in your life where you start to work, meet a partner, carve out your identity, and experiment with life strategies.

While the workplace serves as the central backdrop, the series should also delve into the characters' personal lives, showcasing their relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. The complexities of balancing work and personal commitments should be explored, adding depth to the characters' journeys.

The tone of the series should be vibrant and engaging, blending heartfelt moments, witty dialogue, and dramatic twists. It should not shy away from addressing relevant social issues such as diversity, inclusion, gender dynamics, and the impact of technology on modern workplaces.

This 90-episode series, with each episode lasting 30 minutes, should transport viewers to a world of privilege, diversity, secrets, and complex relationships, while exploring the lives of a group of characters as they navigate the challenges of entering the workforce.

The series should be set in an interesting, fast-paced, glamorous, high-pressure, aspirational South African city workplace. Potential examples of this storyworld could be a fashion magazine or media company, corporate world and finance, morning talk show (radio or TV) or newsroom, restaurant or food industry, tech startup, or something similar to the developing Stellenbosch “Silicon Valley” setting.

The series should not shy away from controversial subjects like sexual, racial, social, or gender issues but should address these realistically as they play out in the contemporary lives of recognisable and resonant characters within an Afrikaans-skewed South African environment.

Each episode of the series should present a combination of character-driven storylines and overarching plot developments. The series should skillfully blend emotional moments, humour, and cliffhangers to keep target viewers engaged and invested in the characters' journeys.

THEMES:

SHOWMAX is keen to explore the following themes in this series:

1. Empowering Exploration of Careers: This theme explores various career paths and industries, from fashion magazines and media companies to tech startups and finance firms. It delves into the challenges, triumphs, and personal growth experienced by individuals navigating the professional world and their social lives.
2. Balancing Work and Life: This theme explores the delicate balance between work and personal life. Whether it's juggling relationships, parenthood, or pursuing passions outside of work, the characters grapple with the complexities of maintaining equilibrium in their lives.
3. Humor and Heart: This theme incorporates humor and heart into its storytelling, infusing light-hearted moments amidst the challenges and drama. This blend of comedy and drama creates an engaging viewing experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.
4. Social Commentary: Through its narratives, the collective offers social commentary on contemporary issues such as gender dynamics, workplace culture, diversity, inclusion, ethics, and the impact of technology. It encourages viewers to reflect on broader societal themes while enjoying entertaining storylines.
5. Character Growth and Resilience: Central to this series would be the journeys of character growth and resilience. Viewers witness characters overcoming obstacles, learning from their experiences, and evolving personally and professionally, making their stories compelling and relatable.
6. Love and Relationships: The series should interweave a variety of romantic relationships, exploring the intricacies of first loves, forbidden romances, and the complexities of sustaining relationships in a high-pressure environment.
7. Secrets and Betrayals: Uncover hidden secrets, lies, and betrayals that have the power to reshape characters' lives and test their loyalties.

REFERENCES

• The Bold Type (2017)
• Younger (2015)
• Workin’ Moms (2017)
• Industry (2020)
• Morning Show (2019)
• 2 Broke Girls (2011)
• Silicon Valley (2014)
• Ugly Betty (2006)

However, we want this series to be unique to the South African context, not a copy of international stories. We believe that our audiences are hungry for fresh, original content that celebrates their diverse Afrikaans culture and resonates with their experiences.

CHARACTERS

To win us over, your characters must be relatable and resonate with the demographic we have stipulated. They should offer a fresh angle that pulls the audience in from the start. We want to provide our viewers with a form of escapism, with cliffhangers and gripping storylines that will keep them on the edge of their seats, shock them, and embrace their reality. It's not just about having a fantastic plot; it's about delivering an experience that our viewers will never forget.

So, if you have a brilliant idea for a new drama that meets our requirements, we want to hear from you! We invite you to pitch your ideas, and if your concept is selected, we will provide you with the resources and support needed to bring your vision to life. Our goal is to offer our Afrikaans audiences with the best viewing experience possible, and we are confident that your original content will help us achieve that goal.

THE PITCH:

When submitting your pitch, we kindly ask that you limit your proposals to 5-8 pages or slides uploaded as a PDF. As a visual representation of your series can be an effective way to communicate your vision, please consider including images or graphics to help illustrate your ideas. To ensure that we can thoroughly evaluate your proposal, we require that you include the following:

1. Series Synopsis (200 words): Please provide a brief overview of your series, including the concept and overall story arc.
2. Series Outline (500 words): We ask that you include a detailed outline of the series, including major plot points, character arcs, any significant story developments, and most importantly – how it all ends and whether there is scope for further seasons.
3. Main Characters/Storylines: Please introduce your main characters and provide a brief overview of their individual storylines.
4. World of the Story: We are interested in the setting and world-building elements of your series, please provide details about the world in which your story takes place.
5. Your Team: Provide information about the key members of your team, including writers, directors, producers, and any other relevant contributors to the project.

We appreciate your interest in pitching your series to us and look forward to reviewing your proposal.