I've known Donald Clarke for a while now ever since I met him when he was director of the first season of Survivor SA set in Panama. Last year I ended up sitting at the same table next to him at the swanky glam do at the CNN MultiChoice Journalist of the Year Awards in Durban and we had a great catch-up as usual.
I've asked Donald Clarke - who has also helmed the previous two Survivor SA seasons in Panama and Malaysia - a few questions about what's in store for Survivor SA Santa Carolina. I wanted to find out what viewers will see that's different from the previous seasons, how the filming was different, what some of the challenges was (not for the contestants, for the production!) and what happens to the footage shot that won't be making it into every episode.
For Donald Clarke's revealing and fascinating answers as director of the highly-anticipated Survivor SA Santa Carolina, click on READ MORE below to find out what he had to say.
What can viewers expect to see in this Survivor SA that will be different from the previous seasons?
It's going to be really fascinating watching well-known individuals cope with the harsh environment. All of our contestants are leaders in their respective fields and are not used to compromising which makes for explosive viewing. This season, the contestants will be playing for a charity of their choice which gives them the perfect reason to outwit and outlast their fellow contestants. I believe these are the best South African contestants we’ve ever had!
How was filming this Survivor SA different from filming the previous 2 seasons?
This was the first time the Survivor SA team went it alone. Previous seasons were filmed alongside an international crew, this is also the first Survivor SA installment to take place in Mozambique and is proudly South African.
What was the biggest challenge of filming in Mozambique?
The biggest challenges are always just the environment but I would have to say transport was our biggest logistical challenge. Boats, planes, helicopters and 4X4’s. Lots of them!
Much more was filmed of Survivor SA than can fit into 1 hr shows on TV. Besides just TV, will stuff be available elsewhere and how?
The Survivor SA Santa Carolina website on www.mnet.co.za/survivor is a great place to find all of those stories which we sometimes don’t have time for on the show. The web team has also filmed exclusive interviews with the voted out contestants and will give viewers those extra moments we would love to put into the show but can’t.
