Insight into Chaseyama TV series
BY STEVE EPHRAEM
CHASEYAMA television (TV) series is a production that is produced as collaboration between two non-profit making organisations, Participatory Organic, Research, Extension & Training (PORET) and Inclusive Global Media. Episode 1 (titled The Drought) of the series was produced in April 2024.
It is interesting to note that the production of the series was done at a zero budget. The first episode was mainly themed on how the concepts of water harvesting, the growing of traditional small grains and Agroecology in general can help farmers survive during drought times.
The television series’ episode 1 can safely be described as a record of the El Nino induced drought that has affected Southern Africa in 2024. It also helped to demystify the myth that associated with the coming of droughts. In essence, the production teaches people to be realistic and proactive in this era of climate change.
The series that was produced by PORET director Julious Piti and Inclusive Global Media director, Steve Ephraem, was filmed on site at PORET Training Centre and surrounding areas that include Hapari village, Chaseyama shopping centre, village head Jinga’s homestead, Nemutenzi village and Chakohwa shopping centre.
The film production was done in only six days; which is a remarkable time for new comers. The first two days comprised of training the crew (technical) and cast (actors) on professional film concepts. The training workshop was done on April 11 and 12, 2024. Filming on site started on 13 April 2024 and ended on 16 April 2024.
The production was a success considering that it was undertaken by first timers. No member of the cast (actors) and crew (technical) had prior experience in professional filmmaking except for Mr Steve Ephraem (who was script writer, co-producer, director and editor) and Gerald “Dr Chivhuno” Mucheto (who was the script supervisor and assistant director).
Good coordination between the cast and crew helped the project to be produced and completed in the expected timeframe. The actors are commented for a job well done since people were not given time to rehearse their parts but they managed to keep the storyline intact.
The actors and crew were drawn from PORET staff, PORET volunteers and members of Chaseyama Permaculture Club. The team comprised of members from Nhedziwa, Chakohwa, Gudyanga, Chaseyama and Nyanyadzi in Chimanimani and others from Gaza Township in Chipinge.
There was a lot of tolerance during the production owing to the fact that the youngest actor was 7 years old and the oldest ones are in their 60s. There was commendable inclusivity in the fact that the crew and cast were made of people of different backgrounds, economic and social status.
The television series can be watched on the following from INCLUSIVE GLOBAL MEDIA YouTube channel –
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