Nya Uyu attempts to charm Netflix
Comedian Nya Uyu in collaboration with television production house Sound Live Addicts are planning to have their forthcoming Vilekeke Night of Laughter Comedy Concert aired on streaming site Netflix.
The two entities want to market the show to the global streaming channel and have since engaged a Netflix agent. The team said their main task is to demonstrate that the material is good once it is shot.
Sound Live Addicts director Shadreck Kalukusha said they have since engaged other local television production houses such as Nyali Muzik, Prophetic TV and other cinematography directors to beef up their production equipment and know-how.
“We are looking at entities which have invested in film production like high quality cameras over the years. We want to get assistance such as cameras, jibs and jib operators. With that we believe our production will be a success,” he said.
Kalukusha said they are pushing for two possible deals, to sell the material to Netflix upfront or for Netflix to invest in their future productions.
He said: “Both of these are financially significant deals that would change our production house, personal lives and create a huge door for Malawian productions to have a chance of getting onto Netflix.”
The comedy concert is a brainchild of Nya Uyu, will be headlined by Ugandan Teacher Mpamire and musician Patience Namadingo. It will be hosted by popular South African comedian Mozisi.
Kalukusha said the show has been given preference because of its international appeal which is within the reach that Netflix represents spanning from East to Southern Africa. He said he is 95percent confident that they will get the nod.
“The setup makes business sense to them. That is what we are pitching. I am a technical guy and I have made sure that we get on board anybody who is good. Each one of them is enthusiastic about the project,” he said.
In a separate interview, host of the show Nya Uyu, brn Felistus Ngwira, said if the deal is successful it would help open a portal for the Malawian industry to international markets.
She said: “If we make it all the way to Netflix, this deal is crucial to the Malawian industry because it will open a portal to the international scene and allow our creatives a platform that makes them real income.”
She further recognised the efforts of different international artists that are working with her like Teacher Mpamire, Namadingo and Mozisi.
“It is an opportunity to present material that stands a great chance of being on Netflix. This has mostly been possible because of the presence of internationally known artists that are on board,” she said.
