MZANSI MAGIC COMMISSIONING BRIEFS MAY 2012
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MZANSI MAGIC COMMISSIONING BRIEFS
MAY 2012
1 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012CONTENTS
1. Introduction
Channel objectives
Positioning
Brand Values
Target Market
2. Genre Specific briefs: Solicited Proposals
Telenovela - 208 x 24min
Bubblegum films - Up to 40 X 60+ min
Bubblegum series - 6 series of 5 X 60+ min
3. Proposal submission form
2 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012INTRODUCTION
Mzansi Magic (Channel 107 on DStv) is M-Net‟s recently launched Proudly South African
Entertainment Channel, specifically targeted at DStv Compact subscribers. (Adults 25 – 49 in
LSM 5 – 8)
OBJECTIVES
To create distinctive South African entertainment programmes
To showcase and create homegrown stars
Strategic industry development
To create a well differentiated channel
POSITIONING STATEMENT
“An authentic South African Entertainment channel”
VALUES & ATTRIBUTES
Proudly South African
Entertaining and informative family entertainment
Authentic, provocative and aspirational
Classy, intelligent, sassy
Fun and adventurous
Humble and light-hearted
Real and doesn‟t take itself too seriously
Celebrates diversity
CONTENT MIX
The Channel‟s content mix comprises of the best South African:
Feature films
Bubblegum movies
Comedy and Sitcom
Talk, variety and music shows
Telenovela, Soap and Drama
3 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012TARGET MARKET
WHO ARE WE TALKING TO? • The thinking (black) man or woman with a startup family
Black DStv subscribers • They are driven to succeed
LSM 5 – 8 (core LSM 6 – 7) • Their lives are about constant up-skilling
Adults 25 - 49 • They commute or drive to work each day and evening
• They are of the UPGRADE generation or as we say „going
places‟
• Their careers upgrade on a 3-5 year cycle as does their car
and lifestyle tools
• Global exposure is important as it broadens their views
WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR? • Stories that they can identify and engage with, that are
Entertainment authentic and resonate with who they are
Information • Entertaining content that expands their worldview
Enlightenment • Programmes that are thought-provoking, will enrich their lives,
Education and up-skilling broaden their perspective and provide the inspiration they
Resonance and Global Exposure need to climb their career and social ladder
• Local content to kick back or relax to, and enjoy
HOW DO WE ENGAGE WITH • We invite them on our journey and take part in theirs
THEM?
TARGET MARKET INSIGHTS • I am Proudly South African, I celebrate the diversity of South
Africa, and I speak multiple languages, especially isiZulu,
Sesotho and English.
• I work for the boss, want to be the boss, I am the boss.
• I live with 4/5 others in the house (My Family)
• I am connected to the net and can‟t live without my cell phone.
• I subscribe to DStv Compact because I want entertainment,
soccer, movies, I love my soapies, and dramas.
4 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012COMMISSIONING OBJECTIVES & GUIDELINES
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Our objective in commissioning independently produced South African programming is to ensure the
creation of the most compelling and relevant content for our audiences in respective target markets,
and to encourage the development of the independent production sector.
PROPOSALS IN WRITING
In order for a programme proposal to be considered and evaluated, ALL documents requested
and information required, without exception, must be provided by the deadline. Failure to give
all the necessary information and documents or the furnishing of any false or misleading
statement will disqualify the proposal from being considered. Please refer to Genre Specific
briefs and Commissioning Protocol for details.
You need to submit your proposal in writing. No telephonic pitches or pitch meetings will be
held with Producers without prior submission of a written proposal to the address below.
All proposals must be mailed to the Mzansi Magic Commissioning Editors at the following
address:-
Mzansi Magic Commissioning
137 Bram Fischer Drive
Randburg
2194
South Africa
Telephone: 011 686 6000
Email: mzansimagicfilms@mnet.co.za
Website: www.mzansimagic.tv / www.mnetcorporate.co.za
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM
Please ensure that the attached proposal submission form is signed and attached with your
submission.
COSTS
All costs incurred in the preparation and submission of programming proposals must be borne
by the proposer. Under no circumstances will M-Net be liable for meeting any of these costs.
5 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012SUBMISSIONS TIMELINES
The closing date for the submission of solicited proposals is detailed in the genre specific
briefs and summarised below.
CLOSING DATE FOR FINAL DECISION DATE FINAL FEEDBACK
SUBMISSIONS
Thursday 28 June 2012 Wednesday 29 August 2012 Wednesday 29 September 2012
Upon Mzansi Magic‟s receipt of submissions, the following timetable will apply to solicited
proposals, unless specified otherwise in the brief:
Stage/timeframe in commissioning Maximum number of business days
process (solicited proposals)
Interval between submission 30 days
deadline and acknowledgement
Interval between acknowledgement 60 days
and initial response, which may
include an invitation to pitch
Interval between pitch and 45 days
commissioning decision
Interval between commissioning 20 days
decision and commencement of
contractual negotiations
Interval between conclusion of Notification will take place upon signature of
contractual negotiations and
production agreement by all of the parties to the
notification to independent producer
agreement
Timeframes for delivery Delivery schedules will be set out in production
agreement
Timeframes for payment for Payment schedules will be set out in production
completed programmes agreement
Desired response times to requests Broadcaster may request progress reports in
for progress reports production process which must be responded to
within a maximum of 2 days
6 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012TELENOVELA
BRIEF NAME OKUNGAPHELI... (ALL GOOD THINGS…)
Genre Long Running Series
Sub-Genre Telenovela (Closed Ended Long Running Series)
Series Details 24 minutes x 208 episodes
Submission Date Thursday 28 June 2012, 5pm Deadline
Content Mzansi Magic has firmly entrenching itself as a generator of long running television
programs. As such we are looking for a long running series with a closed ending (telenovela)
that will rivet South African viewers 4 nights a week with tales of love, betrayal, loss of
innocence, coming of age, family and power struggles. We are looking for a telenovela
based in a world that is new and exciting that audiences can strongly identify with and relate
to. We want to invest in appealing, relevant characters and relationships that reflect an
authentic South Africa back to its viewers. We want a story set mainly in a personal, intimate
space but this does not mean that the world of business cannot be included. We want a
program that can make our viewers laugh and cry, cheer and jeer, a property that can be
part of their lives every day and take them to places they can enjoy and relish, a program
that has strong „water-cooler‟ conversation potential.
Target Market This property will fall in early prime-time and therefore must constitute family viewing.
Mzansi Magic‟s target market represent the full spectrum of age groups from our Primary
Market of 35yrs – 49yrs to our Secondary Market of 15yrs – 24yrs and our smallest age
group 25yrs – 34yrs. (See more in the channel positioning and target market document).
Research The telenovela is still a new format in South Africa, with Mzansi Magic leading the way with
international telenovelas like Shades of Sin and Seize the Day. There are a number of
different sub-genres of telenovela, all having a very distinct, climactic ending. We are looking
for a more classic, South American telenovela with strong melodrama, conflict, rivalry and
romance but positioned against the reality of the situations that will resonate with South
Africans at a deeper level than the more classic soap. This format therefore lends itself to
innovation in terms of the script development and production models that can be created to
allow the economies of scale achieved in a soap but still provide the on-location, almost
drama elements of a telenovela. The Producer is asked to research and investigate potential
models.
Deliverables Title, tagline and logline i.e. one paragraph summary
Statement of intent, what you hope to achieve by telling this story and how
Outlines of at least 2 major storylines over the series please summaries on any
other potential stories
The World of the story, theme, universal truth or premise
A creative and visual treatment (Summary of key features)
Character biogs with goals, flaws, transformation arcs and clear relationships
Script sample – 10 Pages only; set up, and some escalation ending just before
nd
the 2 cliffhanger/ad-break
A script development and production model demonstrating your schedule,
budget and cashflow
Development and production timelines
One paragraph biogs and CVs of submitting parties
(Proposals longer than 30 pages will not be considered)
CPM R 9 000 (including development)
Only company with registration documents will be considered for a commission
7 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012BUBBLEGUM FEATURES
Brief Name Bubblegum Ultra Low Budget Stand-Alone Films
Genre Family Drama, Comedy
No of Films Up to 40 stand-alone films of 60 minutes each
Submission Thursday 28 June 2012
Sub-Genre “Bubblegum Films”
“Bubblegum films” are ultra-low budget original, feel good, highly entertaining films that
capture the heart and soul of the ordinary South Africans, profiling their everyday
achievements and challenges, hopes and despairs, their dreams, way of life in
contemporary South Africa. Bubblegum films will make you laugh and cry in the same
breath but leave you feeling good about yourself and the people around you at the end of
the film. The bubblegum film strand aims to entertain the whole family with suitably
themed films that can include family drama, love, relationship, work, lifestyle, coming of
age, growing old, culture and tradition.
Content Mzansi Magic, the home of bubblegum films, is requesting proposals for the commission of
up to 40 stand-alone ultra-low budget films for 2012 - 2013.
Mzansi Magic would like to commission stand-alone films that focus on themes of love,
relationships, wealth, reflections on life and lifestyles in contemporary South Africa. We are
looking for regionally based stories, profiling the whole of South Africa and South African
cultures and traditions. The films can be told in English as well as in indigenous languages.
Mzansi Magic wants to commission highly entertaining stories that will engage and excite
our target audience, leaving them wanting more of the same.
Business Model Mzansi Magic offers a total of R 100, 000.00 towards the production of the 60 minute
film. Mzansi Magic has also created a revenue generating opportunity for the producer. We
offer the producer a 2 year exclusive window period for the sale of DVDs. The revenue
generated from the sales of DVDs during this period will remain with the Producer.
Target Market This property will fall in early prime-time and therefore must constitute family viewing.
Mzansi Magic‟s target market represent the full spectrum of age groups from our Primary
Market of 35yrs – 49yrs to our Secondary Market of 15yrs – 24yrs and our smallest age
group 25yrs – 34yrs. Please read the channel positioning document for a more in depth
understanding of our channel demographics, positioning and target market.
References Mzansi Magic 2011 Commissions and licensed films, which include 48, Who made me
Pregnant and Cast the First Stone.
Deliverables A pitch document that includes:
Title, tagline and logline i.e. one paragraph summary
Synopsis and treatment of all episodes – no more than 2 pages
Character bible, world of story – no more than 1 page
Script sample of one episode – 5 pages only; set up, and some escalation
nd
ending just before the 2 cliffhanger/ad-break
A production model demonstrating your schedule, budget and cash flow
One paragraph bios and CVs of submitting parties and key creative
Proposals longer than 10 pages will not be considered
Budget R 100,000.00 (including development)
8 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012BUBBLEGUM MINI SERIES
Brief Name Bubblegum Low Budget Mini Series
Genre Family Drama, Comedy
No of Films 6 series of 5 X 60+ min Low Budget Mini Series
Submission Date Thursday 28 June 2012
Sub-Genre “Bubblegum Films”
“Bubblegum films” are ultra-low budget original, feel good, highly entertaining films that
capture the heart and soul of the ordinary South Africans, profiling their everyday
achievements and challenges, hopes and despairs, their dreams, way of life in
contemporary South Africa. Bubblegum films will make you laugh and cry in the same
breath but leave you feeling good about yourself and the people around you at the end of
the film. The bubblegum film strand aims to entertain the whole family with suitably
themed films that can include family drama, love, relationship, work, lifestyle, coming of
age, growing old, culture and tradition.
Content Mzansi Magic, the home of bubblegum films, is requesting proposals for the commission of
3 x 4 ep x 60 minute Mini Series for 2012 - 2013.
Mzansi Magic would like to commission 3 sets of 4 part Mini Series. The Mini Series must
have a common thread between the episodes using either a set of characters, world and
themes. The story can focus on themes of love, relationships, wealth, reflections on life and
lifestyles in contemporary South Africa. We are looking for regionally based stories, profiling
the whole of South Africa and South African cultures and traditions. The films can be told in
English as well as in indigenous languages. Mzansi Magic wants to commission highly
entertaining stories that will engage and excite our target audience, leaving them wanting
more of the same.
Business Model Mzansi Magic offers a total of R 250, 000.00 toward the production of the 60 minute
film. Mzansi Magic has also created a revenue generating opportunity for the producer. We
offer the producer a 2 year exclusive window period for the sale of DVDs. The revenue
generated from the sales of DVDs during this period will remain with the Producer.
Target Market This property will fall in early prime-time and therefore must constitute family viewing.
Mzansi Magic‟s target market represent the full spectrum of age groups from our Primary
Market of 35yrs – 49yrs to our Secondary Market of 15yrs – 24yrs and our smallest age
group 25yrs – 34yrs. Please read the channel positioning document for a more in depth
understanding of our channel demographics, positioning and target market.
References Mzansi Magic 2011 Commissions and licensed films, which include 48, Who made me
Pregnant, Cast the First Stone and Taxiride.
Deliverables A pitch document that includes:
Title, tagline and logline i.e. one paragraph summary
Synopsis and treatment of all episodes – no more than 2 pages
Character bible, world of story – no more than 1 page
Script sample of one episode – 5 Pages only; set up, and some escalation
nd
ending just before the 2 cliffhanger/ad-break
A production model demonstrating your schedule, budget and cash flow
One paragraph bios and CVs of submitting parties and key creative,
Proposals longer than 10 pages will not be considered
Budget R 250,000.00 per episode (including development)
9 Mzansi Magic Commissioning Briefs : May 2012MZANSI MAGIC - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM
BRIEF NAME GENRE
WORKING TITLE LOGLINE
SYNOPSIS FORMAT DESCRIPTION:
NUMBER OF EPISODES: DURATION OF EPISODE/S
FULL NAME OF COMPANY & PRODUCER FULL NAME AND ID NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL PRODUCER/S:
CONTACT DETAILS
Company Name: Name:
Email: ID:
Tel #: Name
Cell #: ID:
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: COMPANY VAT NUMBER:
POSTAL ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
CONTACT PERSON
Name Position Email Tel # Cell #
I agree that nothing in the commissioning brief shall be interpreted as an agreement by Electronic Media
Network Limited (“M-Net”) to produce any programme based on the proposal submitted. Should M-Net decide
in its sole discretion to commission a programme based on any of the proposals submitted, such
commissioning shall be subject to you concluding a commissioning agreement with M-Net.
I warrant that I own all rights (including intellectual property rights) in the proposal or any other
document/material submitted to M-Net pursuant to the commissioning brief. Furthermore, I agree not to submit
to any other person for consideration any proposal that I have submitted to M-Net for a period of 2 months from
the date such proposal was submitted. In this regard I undertake to inform M-Net at the time of submission if
any of the proposal being submitted has been submitted to any third party, and I agree that in such event M-
Net shall have a right to decide whether or not to accept and/or consider my proposal.
I hereby indemnify M-Net and all the companies forming part of the Naspers Limited group of companies
against any loss or damage arising from breach of the representations, warranties and undertakings made in
the two preceding paragraphs above or made at any time in connection with the submission of a proposal
pursuant to the M-Net commissioning brief.
I have read the contents of the M-Net commissioning brief and I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions
contained therein:
Name: _____________________________ Signature: ______________________ Date:_________________
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