CVM to host 'Island Rockers' reality show - Jamaica's beauty, the focus of TV production

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Entrepreneur and businessman Mark Foster is aiming to deliver another locally produced reality show.

The show is called Island Rockers and will be aired on CVM TV. Island Rockers is expected to feature eight men and eight women who will challenge each other for a grand prize of $500,000.

The challenges will be based on knowledge of Jamaican cultural history.

Island Rockers marks the first production for Mark Foster's SWAT Production, and he believes reality shows have a local market.

"I have always wanted to be a producer/director, and the show gave me an opportunity to produce my first project. I know that reality shows are what the people are interested in from The Kardashians to Survivors, there are so many out there with an established niche. I want to make a show that will build my niche in the industry here and abroad with the love the world has for Jamaicans," Foster said.

Foster hopes to appeal to the diaspora by showcasing the island. He believes Jamaica is more marketable now than ever.

"The focus is on showing the beautiful culture of Jamaica at a time when our athletic success is at its highest peak. People will be attracted from all over the world. They want to know and see more of Jamaica," he said.

"The challenges on Island Rockers focus on doing that by highlighting the beautiful Frenchman's Cove beach, the exciting Negril weekend with Rumbar Tropical Island, the Kool Runnings Water Park and the cook-off competition etc, each of which showcases Jamaica in a positive light to the world," he said.

The show will span 10 episodes on local TV and the contestants will decrease each week through eliminations. Foster also said the entertainment is dynamic.

"Each episode will contain adventure and drama, showcasing the range of engaging personalities, while capturing Jamaica's cultural and natural aesthetics [and] educating viewers on the island's resources. The show will travel to some of the island's most exotic locations/resorts as the 'Rockers' interact and compete in island-paradise settings," he said.

BEHIND THE LENS

To launch a show of this magnitude Foster has partnered with Jahdean Vangrove of Jah Workz Productionz, DJ Pritti, Travolta Alexander and Glympse magazine's (Dr Reynolds, Renard, Oliver and Rohan).

"Having not gone to school for filming I had to hire a knowledgeable team. Hats off to Travolta Alexander, who is the backbone of this production. He is the co-writer, director, assistant producer and editor. I have learnt the complexity of film-making through observing his work ethic and methodologies.

Foster also thanked Shepherd, whose knowledge of videography, stemming from being a CARIMAC student at the University of the West Indies was helpful.

The producer also thanked make-up artists Tricia Anderson and Shaniel Stewart. Ezra and Sheldon Sound, Kurt Wright and DJ Pritti were also lauded for their efforts.

"They have all helped in broadening my knowledge of the complexity and challenges in film-making," said Foster.

Hi-Tech Production

The producer also commented on the quality of the show, noting that the technology used to capture footage was hi-tech.

"We shot with Canon T3I and Canon 7D cameras and collected sound with zoom technology, which is high quality tools used to produce video for television. Our staff are experienced and have done much work in the field and we are confident that the product can be easily marketed oversees after shown on CVM," said Foster.

The sponsors of the production are Students Work and Travel Ltd, CVM, Lime, Catherine's Peak, RumBar, Tropical Island, Bay View Villas, Frenchman's Cove, Kool Runnings, Island Grill, Salon Splurt, Di trends, Grandeur, Classic Circle, Nigel Stewart, Hope Gardens and Hope Zoo.

The show is expected to premiere in coming months.

"You will laugh, you will be amazed, you will be entertained, you will return the following week wanting to see more, and each week offers a different challenge and increasing drama," Foster promised viewers.