« DW Moffett's Celebrity Blog
South Africa Is Amazing!!
Hey there!
Thought I'd share some details concerning my present journey with you.
This gig is what it's all about. I fell in love with acting because it gave me a creative outlet that I had never discovered before in my life. But I have to say it also became very clear to me that I have a little bit of gypsy in my soul, as actors are often called on to wander. Sometimes very far afield…and, people... South Africa is far afield! I mean that in the best possible way. To all of the people who told me to "be careful" and "wow, it's really dangerous down there," I ask this: Have you ever gotten off the wrong bus stop in Chicago? Or New York? Or L.A., or you-name-it-ville? Johannesburg is an amazingly vibrant city with incredible beauty and style and charm, and just outside of the city, where I happen to work, it's stunningly beautiful.
Go to your world atlases and look up South Africa. Now go to the Northwest Province and go to a place called Hartbeespoort Dam. It's a small lake about a mile away from where we're shooting. That is how far afield I am.
We are shooting at a place called Glen Afric. It’s an old hunting lodge that is now a rather benign game park. Or I should say was a game park, because now it is basically a film studio. Both the American and British versions of this show are shooting here simultaneously. Wait. Back up. Let me explain. There is a British version of this show, too. It is actually the original version and it is called Wild at Heart. The producers of that show came over to Hollywood and said, "Anybody interested in creating a hit show based in Africa?" (the British show is immensely popular in England) and presto... the CW network got interested and so we have Life Is Wild. So where were we?
Oh yes. That’s right. Bottom line, I love the gypsy element of being an actor. I am fortunate enough to have a family that likes it as well, so this long, long journey is paying immense dividends already as a life experience. Forget the fact that I think the show is going to be fantastic. No wait.... Let's talk about the show....
Have you seen a good, high-quality family show on network television in the past few seasons? OK, 7th Heaven was on for a few weeks last year, but what I am trying to say here is that this particular niche in the TV world seems to have been neglected recently, and I think we are going to come charging in and save the day. All kidding aside, I sat down and watched the pilot of this show with my two kids and it was a blast. We all responded to the show on different levels, but Dad, a 10-year-old and a 5-year-old all had a really good time watching this show. And I think shows that provide that kind of family-bonding opportunity are currently missing from most network television schedules. Life Is Wild will fill that gap. And do it well.
Unfortunately, that's all I have time for now. Every time I look through the viewfinder at what the cameras are shooting, I am stunned at how beautiful this country is. I hope that come Oct. 7 you all feel the same way about it.
I will be sharing some on-set adventures/catastrophes when next we meet.
Til then,
DW
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Sep 7, 2007 6:48 AM
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Welcome back to blogging! Your show is the only CW show I'm adding this season - but I am looking forward to it!
I've seen some of the British original and enjoyed it. Will the American version stay fairly true to the British formula?
It really is, as you indicated, a great family show - and that is sadly missing from most network offerings.
It sounds like your family was able to go with you for the taping? What a fantastic experience for all of you! Going to another country on a vacation isn't the same as actually living there, even if only for a few months out of the year.
I really hope this series does well - I'll be watching and spreading the word!
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Sep 8, 2007 8:32 AM
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I'm really interested on watching this show
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Sep 8, 2007 1:51 PM
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DW - I love Wild at Heart and have anxiously been awaiting your show too!
I really recommend that viewers check out Wild at Heart on BBC America. Repeats are airing now and you will see just what a wonderful area that DW is talking about!
Thanks for the fantastic blog DW - and we are all waiting for the premier of your show. Please keep us in the loop!
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Sep 11, 2007 2:50 PM
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