Please note: This material is registered with the Writers Guild of South Africa.
LOGLINE
Isabelle, a stubborn young doctor is determined to save every patient after witnessing her mother die when she was younger. One day she is visited by the Angel of Death, Azrael, who takes her on a journey to explore the meaning of life – and death.
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Comedy
Writer & Director: Stephen Nagel
Producer: Kirstin Lee Grey Erasmus
Co-Producers & Associate Producer: Dean Ravell, Carla Roberts Phillips, Lumka Stone
Format: 45 Minute TV Show, 3 Seasons (8 Episode Season 1, 6 Episodes Season 2 & 3).
Awards: 2021 Finalist, WGSA Muse Award for Best Short
Status: In development.
Want to see the proof of concept film? It will be available soon – Get in touch: btgfilms@gmail.com
THE STORY & OUR PLAN
Watching Over You is a South African Fantasy series created by Stephen Nagel, produced by Kirstin Lee Grey Erasmus and co-produced by Dean Ravell and Carla Roberts Phillips. the story follows a young doctor as she pursues the journey of being recruited The Angel of Death to be is successor.
In this story we address the elephant in the room of life: Death. Isabelle, the protagonist, is on a journey to become the Angel of Death, and death is a bummer, right? Well, the blend of fantasy and dramedy will offset this as we aim for a tone similar to the works of Neil Gaiman (Good Omens) who injects comedy into extremely tense and dire situations that would generally be thought of as macabre. The series has already received funding from the NFVF funding for the completion of a proof of concept short film through development and production, and is currently in the post-production phase. We are seeking partnership through co-production or a streaming service to realise the vision of it becoming a first of its kind South African Series.
CHARACTERS
WHY THIS STORY? WHY NOW? WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE?
Watching Over You is the first series of it’s kind. The story explores the relationship that people from various cultures have with death. Grief is a universal experience that manifests in uniquely specific ways depending on one’s culture and background. This story aims to take a universal experience and showcase it through a distinctive cultural lens, firstly in South Africa (Season 1), then throughout Africa (Season 2) and finally around the world (Season 3).
- Universal Themes: Grief, Love
- Cultural Specificity: South African Culture with the possibility to expand across several local cultures and later, international cultures.
NEXT STEPS
We’re currently looking to partner with an established television production company, locally or via an international co-production to bring this idea to life in the form of a television series. For more information, please contact us today at btgfilms@gmail.com.
STILLS
A few stills from the short film that provides a look at the level of production quality, and the look and feel of the series we’ve developed.
