Flavia Motsisi has been a scripted content commission editor with MultiChoice since 2016. With a special focus on Local Entertainment, she specialises in the production of original African content that showcases the stories of Africa in a unique and exciting way.
As a creative leader and project manager, Motsisi is responsible for overseeing a number of hugely successful South African shows including International Emmy Nominated S1 of The River, The Wife , Gomora, Housekeepers, Unmarried, Lavish, Ithemba, Ikhaya, Ifalakhe and Lenyalo Ha se papdi.
As a strong, young, black woman, Motsisi is a role model in South Africa, breaking into a previously male-dominated industry and proving her talent and determination with each new show she oversees.
1. What is the best thing about being a scripted content CE?
First and foremost the opportunity to tell authentic African stories, collaborating with the best creative minds in the continent and globally. Being able to see a show through from inception up until it reaches the millions of viewers that sit on our various platforms. The autonomy one gets to influence what goes on air, is really a privilege I don’t take for granted. But most importantly working with a team of dedicated, super talented and passionate colleagues is the best part of my job!
2. What kind of content does your audience love the most?
The viewers love consuming content that makes them feel, being able to evoke strong feelings from audiences is a winning recipe for a hit show. Moreover, having conversation starters is so essential in creating the best entertainment for a mass market audience.
3. When you read a script, what excites you when you’re considering a commission?
Any piece of content that is authentic, regardless of genre, duration or scope- will forever win me over. But personally, I am a sucker for a good love story; I am such a hopeless romantic and my fellow CE’s tease me for this all the time.
4. Which script immediately caught your attention and why?
It has to be the first time I read the concept for The River S1, it totally blew my mind away. It was such a beautifully written deck, The way the characters were described, the nuancing of the world, the textures of the narrative and the story in general was just real but yet heightened and different from anything we had seen on screen at the time. It was monumental to changing the landscape of how black stories were being told on screen.
5. Hypothetically, if you could go back and change anything about a show you have worked on, what would it be?
Honestly, I always wish for our shows to have more time in crafting and developing during scripting period, however I do understand that our industry is reflective of the economy we are in, but this would be a wish for all the shows I have worked on.
6. What is the most important thing about having a commissioning editor involved in a production?
The collaboration between a CE and a Production Company in creating a series is imperative. I always put it this way: The producer knows what story they want to tell and the CE guides them to tell it in the best possible way that will make it entertaining, palatable and successful.
7. What would you say is the most important skill a commissioning editor should have?
A sweet spot between having a good story mind/sensibility and good project management skills, but most important someone with a strong voice and opinion. You cannot offer guidance and oversee a project if you’re not assertive.
8. What advice do you have for anyone thinking about going in your direction?
Have the necessary qualifications, gain industry experience and study/monitor what gets commissioned on our platforms. Keeping abreast with global trends is also key to getting an understanding for how broadcasters/networks operate. It is important to be viewer/audience centric when considering to come into this space and of course have a passion and desire to create stories.
9. What would you say makes the South African content landscape unique and how does that influence what you do?
As cliché as it sounds; our diversity makes us unique. There are so many cultures, languages and nuance that make us stand out from everyone else, what excites me is that we have not even scraped on the surface in portraying and telling all of our diverse stories, there is so much more to explore and to do and that greatly influences my desire to always be innovative with the stories we tell.
10. What exciting projects can audiences be on the lookout for in the near future?
The Commissioning content teams have been cooking amazing shows! We have changed our content strategy and are working on never-seen-before stories, genres and formats. Our new direction is setting the NEW WAVE of South African Television across the Multichoice linear and Showmax streaming platforms, watch this space!
