‘School Days’ gamble paying off
Producers of the movie School Days chose to upload it on YouTube for viewing, a departure from the lon-standing tradition in the country of keeping films under lock and key.
But three weeks later, the movie has garnered one million views, the first for a local production. Away from that, the production continues to receive rave reviews and a surge in popularity with most of its cast members being engaged in various corporate and brand endorsements.
Production director Daudi Shaibu said they are happy that the production appeals to the audience. He said this means a lot to the team.
“We released the movie to the public to give Malawians what they wanted at the while we set the pace in the movie industry. Above all we wanted to create demand and a market for our next productions and open opportunities for our cast members,” he said.
Shaibu said their decision to share the movie online has opened doors for the production company 4Kaya Films Inc and some cast members to get revenue generating opportunities.
He said: “There are no direct monetary benefits as of now. We have other deals which are in the pipeline to sign up partnerships with other companies. We are planning to roll out a new production, so all opportunities coming our way will be explored.”
Two of the leading film characters Mphatso Machira, real name Amos Filisa and Tumpe Mtaya who plays Phwedo, this week featured in a television advert for a courier service company Smart Deliveries.
They said they wish more companies and organisations would come forward to engage them in promotion engagements.
In an interview yesterday, Filisa said the advert is his first paid engagement.
“We are now at the peak of our popularity and everywhere we go people recognise us. It would help if the organisations were to engage us in their campaigns involving youths since we have a high command in that age bracket,” he said.
Filisa added that Malawians should extend the support for School Days to other local productions because the industry needs their push.
On his part, Mtaya said he is working on setting up a management team to handle deals involving the Phwedo brand.
He said: “It is exciting to be part of this story. The reach that the movie has managed is encouraging. Some openings are just starting to come and I believe there will be more along the way. It will be important if these deals are handled in the best professional manner possible.”
This weekend the School Days cast will be in another meet and greet event at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The engagement follows the first one which took place at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe a fortnight ago.
