Entertainment / TV Guide
12 Generations cast members refuse to sign new contracts
01 Nov 2013 at 11:58hrs | Views
Twelve Generations cast members - Sophie Ndaba (Queen), Katlego Danke (Dineo), Anga Makubalo (MJ), Menzi Ngubane (Sibusiso), Zenande Mfenyana (Noluntu), Mandla Gaduka (Choppa), Winnie Modise (Khethiwe), Maggie Benedict (Akhona), Thato Molamu (Nicholas) Zolisa Xaluva (Jason), Thami Mngqolo (Senzo) and Slindile Nodangala (Ruby) - are steadfastly refusing to sign new contracts.
The group is collectively sticking to its guns, risking the chance of being fired and written out, as they resolutely seek better contracts which could mark a sea change for South Africa's TV industry.
The SABC1 show and the public broadcaster's biggest money-spinner remains shut down as the cast hold out for three year contracts with no loopholes such as clauses which could see them being written out.
No new Generations episodes have been filmed for five weeks, as the soap's lead time of completed episodes are fast diminishing and as the rest of the industry's soap are ironically ramping up production this time of the year.
With the situation becoming desperate behind the scenes and Vundla saying "nobody is bigger than Generations" and threatening to fire the actors, the actors feel that they deserve more equitable contracts after years of helping to make Generations the biggest show on South African television.
The warning shots fired from both sides are casting a spotlight on not just the public broadcaster, the plight of producer's and their creative freedom, and actor's and what amounts to fair compensation and contracts - but on how the local TV industry has been treating and dealing with talent compared to the USA and other countries.
The group is collectively sticking to its guns, risking the chance of being fired and written out, as they resolutely seek better contracts which could mark a sea change for South Africa's TV industry.
The SABC1 show and the public broadcaster's biggest money-spinner remains shut down as the cast hold out for three year contracts with no loopholes such as clauses which could see them being written out.
No new Generations episodes have been filmed for five weeks, as the soap's lead time of completed episodes are fast diminishing and as the rest of the industry's soap are ironically ramping up production this time of the year.
With the situation becoming desperate behind the scenes and Vundla saying "nobody is bigger than Generations" and threatening to fire the actors, the actors feel that they deserve more equitable contracts after years of helping to make Generations the biggest show on South African television.
The warning shots fired from both sides are casting a spotlight on not just the public broadcaster, the plight of producer's and their creative freedom, and actor's and what amounts to fair compensation and contracts - but on how the local TV industry has been treating and dealing with talent compared to the USA and other countries.
Source - channel24
