Channel O Top of 2011 27/28 December 2011 19 CAT

For the past two weeks we have been shooting the annual Channel O Top 20 of 2011 and this is our second season. We have added a few things just to improve from last year. This show was in the top 5 for the most watched shows in the history of  channel O and this has added a bit of pressure to improve from last year. We have included a few changes which include an upgrade on the graphics, we have also made a drastic improvement on the content and we have also turned it up a notch visually. We made sure we do not loose the essence of the show but improve on things we thought needed an upgrade. Last year we only had two weeks to package and deliver the show. This meant shooting in SA and Nigeria  in under 14 days and a few days in post production to package a two hours special and we pulled it off. This year we had more time to plan and set up systems. Last year we did not even have time to roll out a marketing plan. All we did last year was to shoot, cut a promo and hope for the best.

One of the most exciting things for us was shooting the whole show with a 7D Canon camera. This proves again it is not the size of the camera but the camera operator. This year we did not shoot in Naija but shoot the artists from the rest of the continent during the O-Awards. We literally pulled them after they were rehearsing for the main show. Daaaaaaaam! STL is hot in person,lol! Okay back to the story.

During the week of the O-Awards we were shooting four shows at the same time (Channel O Top 20, Studio 53 Extra, South African Tourism advert in association with M-net Africa, The Channel O Red Carpet Special). All went well and even though we had a few days to prepare for the three other shows. A strong team is underrated!!!!!

The funniest thing about the Top 20 shoot was when electricity went off in Rosebank for the whole day as we were shooting at Club Hush. It reminded me of my time in Lagos, lol. This allowed us to use our lighting more effectively and it gave us a very good and different look and a visual design we did not plan for but it worked very well.

Check out the Top 20 of 2011 on the 27 of December for part 1 and on the 28th of December 2011 for Part 2 at 19:00CAT.

Squareleg Media/Callback Dreams Studios.

Ice Prince Juju Video Shoot.

First shot of the day

Ice Prince-o

Ice with make-up artist Ziona.

His first shot after he had just landed from Bots.

Brandon's monitor

Ice Prince, L'tido, Maggz

Ice Prince was shook after the drag racing. Tido is laughing at him.

Let the car spin.

Video chick and the legendary director Brandon. He has shot over 100 music vids.

Channel O Awards Locker Set Up

This was the set up at the Channel O Awards and I thought it was dope. This is the "locker room" and I don't know what was its purpose but it looked nice. It was also a great backdrop for interviews.

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

The Gym is a Special Place...

Going to the gym is like going to another planet, well sometimes.

- In the change room there is always that old man who walks around naked and puts lotion between his legs, revolting yes.

- There is always that guy in the change-room who really loves the mirror. He can't keep his eyes off himself.

- How come most gyms only have male personal trainers. The girls just love them. I would love to be trained by a hot female. This would motivate me to really push myself because who would want to be emasculated. I would be at gym everyday. Right now I am struggling because the gym lacks female trainers.

- There is always that person who makes you feel like you do not enjoy the gym as much they do.

- The most annoying thing is when you fall off the wagon and the ladies at reception ask you about your absence. My immediate defensive response is always 'I have been busy,' and give them that you are not my mother look.

Why I Love Gabz!

1. The meter taxis are not exorbitant,so moving around is affordable. Cars to hire are very few so you might be forced move around in a cab. They were all booked out when I landed, maybe I should have pre-booked. Just maybe!

2. The airport is not cluttered. Going through customs is pain free unlike some countries I will not mention.

3. The exchange rate is very close to the Rand. You don't have to be constantly doing maths in your head as you are buying things. I have been jerked in West and East Africa I was too busy to count in my head as I had many things to do and worry about like being stopped by popo because I am with white people who are carrying cameras. Next time I am downloading the exchange rate app as I was advised before I left.

4. Gaborone feels like a small town in SA, in a good way. It is very chilled, people are super friendly and  very helpful. All the major shops from SA are in Gabz so you will always feel at home. I am not sure if that is a good thing, well I think it is. I don't like to experiment too much with my stomach.

5. I am Sotho and Tswana is very close to Moshoeshoe's people. Communication is very easy. I just felt at home. I felt like I was visiting my cousins.

Why Do I Blogging? What Is My Blog About?

Why do you blog? I get asked this question every time I tell people to check out my blog. 

A big shout out to my two followers who have never questioned my authority on life. Autographed t-shirts are on the way. 

Okay back to the subject, I really don't know why I blog. I think it is because of the free template. Who wouldn't want a free template. Maybe that's why I am also friends with Jobie One, he gives me free Coca Cola. Dam they taste nice when they are very cold. I try to act like I don't like free things but I really do.

What is my blog about? Well I don't know. I know this is a perfect time for me to sound very smart and "deep." Maybe I should Google a very good answer. Google gives free answers to life and don't I just love free things.

The pressures of life forces us to give reasons for everything and Google is always there to save the day. Google I look up to you.

South Side Video Shoot With Jay STZ

Shout-out to @SpacemunnaMusic @Zweli_S and @Jobieone @Gangster_Sue.

Coldplay Live at FNB

The Coldplay concert at the FNB stadium was the best concert I have ever been to. I actually feel bad that I missed the U2 show.
The whole trip to the show was also an experience on its own. I had never seen so many white folk at Park Station catching a Metrorail train. I usually see them on the Gautrain.
It was so challenging to find parking in and around the CBD but we did eventually find a spot at cost ofcourse.

I usually feel that hip-hop acts from the States constantly disrespect their audience with their mediocre shows. I am a hip-hop head who has attended numerous shows but a rock show was the best I have ever been to, that says something. Hip-hop acts need to step their game up if I am going to pay 500 bucks for a ticket.
Big up to The Parlotones for killing their set and for featuring in the Coldplay set too.

I was born Po!

A few weeks back I got a chance to play a role of life time for my nephews first bday. I transformed myself into a Telitubby. 
The costume is super hot and you have speak with a cartoon like voice the whole day, a very daunting challenge indeed.
Some kids were scared of Po while others loved him. Po guy. My nephew loved Po because he is a huge fan of the Teletubbies. I had so much fun.
I am adding more characters to the repertoire and I do not take cheques for bookings. 

I might just quit my day job. Happy Bday Q!

Viva Riva!

A friend of mine from DRC was telling me about her experience when she returned home to DRC after years of living in SA. She also told me about the movie Viva Riva of how close it is to the reality of millions living in that country.
I am a big fan of African story tellers because I always learn something new about this continent. This past weekend I was in Botswana and I had time to kill so I decided to check out their movie circuit. The only movie I felt was worth spending my money on was Viva Riva because of the reviews from this friend of mine.

The flick is about how petrol is sold in the black market from Angola. Throughout the movie I was reminded of the recent fuel shortage in SA. As most panicked and complained we never really reached the desperation that Viva Riva depicts. I am not going to give you the synopsis of the movie but if you are interested in what happens on the continent you must check it out.