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Binnelanders will be changing today at 18:00 on M-Net to an hour long weekday soapie, Binneland Sub Judice. At the launch of the new show at its new home in the the new high-definition ready Stark Studios in Fountainebleau, Randburg, I spoke to Elsje Stark, producer of Stark Films.
I asked her what her hopes are for the newer, longer and improved Binneland Sub Judice and how far in advance the show is now shooting. Elsje Stark shares the benefits of the new Stark Studios, why Binneland Sub Judice branches out into specifically a legal universe, the challenges of keeping the legal and medical world's together and how she sees this new chapter of the TV show.
For my exclusive Elsje Stark interview click on READ MORE below.
FIRST LOOK! Binneland Sub Judice's new legal set section revealed.
FIRST LOOK! New Binneland Sub Judice sets now bigger than Grey's Anatomy!
Binneland Sub Judice brand new opening theme with a saxophone.
What is your hope for the double the length, bigger Binneland Sub Judice?
We'll now have almost 30 permanent new actors so my hope is to give viewers an unrivaled hour of incredible stories, drama and characters – total viewer pleasure.
Can you describe the process a bit to me, from almost the end of last year until now? I think a lot of viewers see it as a seemless transition but behind the scenes it's a brand-new studio. What was some of the big challenges and struggles?
It all starts at the script. They always say two kids are a lot more than double just the work of just looking after one. And it's exactly the same. An hour on television is much harder work than doing two half hours of television. To churn out an hour drama, and to get that flow and rhythm correct is very difficult – and we're still busy with that. It's never been done before in this country before. We're trying hard.
Are you still shooting as far ahead?
We're a bit shorter. We're a bit shorter because we had to break the recording schedule to move to this new Stark Studios from the inner city of Johannesburg. There was a month where we were just moving stuff. We're almost a bit too close to the actual broadcasting date of episodes for my own personal comfort level.
And the benefits of Stark Studios? What can you do now?
Well, to start with the working environment is so much better for the cast and crew. It's an inspiring working environment that stimulates creativity.
It looks beautiful. Did you have other universes in mind, or did you know immediately that Binnelanders would be branching out into a legal environment? Can you give me a bit more insight into the thought process that went into making the decision.
It's because all of our characters are grounded in the medical world and medical profession – except for Ingrid, an attorney. We thought to make a seamless connection and using her as a bridge to the new stories and the new universe – but don't tell people in advance please – only tell on 5 April!
Then the new legal side and keeping the hospital side alive, what are the challenges meshing them together?
One helluva challenge! Ha ha. Massive challenges. It's a big challenge to get it right so that it doesn't feel like two different, separate worlds, but seamless for the viewer on the TV screen.
I was at the launch in 2005 when Binnelanders started on M-Net and then it was a one hour drama a week, then Binnelanders changed to a daily soapie in 2007. Now Binneland Sub Judice is going to be an hour a day. How do you feel about it?
It's a massive and big challenge. All that's important for me is, will viewers want to see it? I definitely think so. I think it's great. We hope the show keeps the ratings up.
If you look back, how do you see this new chapter of Binnelanders now changing and becoming Binneland Sub Judice?
I see it in such an incredibly, positive light. I just want to give it and bring my best every day and approach it with passion.
Binneland Sub Judice, M-Net, weekdays, 18:00
