A South African naked wedding that will be broadcast tonight at 20:50 in Four Weddings South Africa on Lifetime (DStv 131) proved a TV challenge for those who had to film the nude nuptuals.
In the local version of the competing brides show produced by Rapid Blue, viewers tonight will be able to gawk at - and perhaps laugh - at the breezy wedding in the buff, as four different brides compete to show off with the best wedding.
While the TV show had to employ some clever angles during the abundant nudity on display for bride Joanne and her husband's wedding, some above-the-waist filming as well as a lot of blurring during the editing process, the production crew who had to film it all got to witness the proverbial "full monty".
"The competing brides were under no pressure either to be nude by Joanne or her husband," the show tells TV with Thinus. "Everyone in the production team was fully clothed which was not an issue at all" for those who did shed their clothes.
"Although many of the wedding guests were fine with being filmed, not all of them felt the same way," says Four Weddings SA, "so the team had to try and ensure that they didn't feature people who were uncomfortable with being on camera, so one or two faces had to be blurred to ensure privacy".
"Wherever possible, above-the-waistline angles were specifically chosen. We tried to be as discreet as possible, but of course could not get away from wide shots in which everything is visible," says Kee-Leen Irvine, managing director of Rapid Blue and producer of the show.
Tonight's naked wedding episode with the wedding that was filmed at a bushveld retreat on the outskirts of Pretoria, took longer in post-production since it required more work: a lot of blurring.
"Post production did take longer as our editor spent many, many hours covering up the nether regions. But ... as you know, there are some things you just can't 'un-see', so they might be scarred for life - it's just too early to tell!"
"We did add one or two extras that we think will be enjoyed by viewers, but they'll have to wait and see what they are!"
The Four Weddings SA episode at 20:50 tonight entitled "Naked Ambition" also features the Zulu maiden Nthabiseng marrying her longtime Swati boyfriend in Johannesburg's botanical gardens, the wedding of Sizakele who is going over the top with an extravagant wedding at a picnic spot and bride Storm's elegant, rustic country wedding.
