[Submitted via press release]
Introducing Isidingo’s New Head Writer, Liam J. Stratton
Endemol South Africa is proud to announce and welcome Liam J. Stratton who joins the team as Head Writer to head up the Isidingo Story Department.
Based at Sasani Studios in Highlands North, Liam takes on a position that is crucial to the success of such a production. He will lead the creative team and focus the direction of Isidingo’s future stories and the journeys that the characters will take.
Although not born and bred here, Liam is no stranger to writing for South African television. No stranger and certainly not afraid to make his mark. Since arriving in South Africa in late 2011, Liam was Script Editor for M-Net Africa’s award-winning Nigerian Soapie, Tinsel.
He created, wrote and developed a mini-series for Mzansi Magic, currently airing, and as Head Writer, helped to develop a new SABC3 sitcom (Let Heaven Wait) currently on air from 16 May to 20 June 2013. He has also been a Story Consultant for Rhythm City.
He is working with major broadcasters and producers on a live training initiative for comedy writers/performers, due to launch in 2014, but says he's currently exactly where he planned to be after stepping off the plane, Head Writer on SABC3’s flagship soap, Isidingo. All within eighteen months.
Liam comes from the UK with a varied and valuable amount of experience, from television drama to live comedy. He brings a fresh approach of storytelling to Horizon Deep. With an equal passion for soap and comedy, he brings a fresh energy to Horizon Deep and is firmly focused on doing nothing more than telling good stories.
“Isidingo is where I planned to be when I stepped off of the plane in November 2011. Even before I moved to SA, I loved the show, enjoyed the characters and was excited by the stories. Without question the pool of talent on Isidingo is phenomenal”, said Liam. He added, “The crew and directors show a passion for the show that I haven’t seen anywhere else. When it comes to the actors, there isn’t a weak link in the chain. It’s an absolute privilege to have all of this to work with”.
He continued, “When it comes to my approach to stories, it’s all about character. I want to recapture the magic that isidingo has, build on our talent and go back to the days where people rushed home to catch up with what’s happening down at Horizon Deep“.
Liam is a graduate of the University of Salford (Adelphi Academy of Media and Performance), Manchester, UK. He majored in Writing for Television Drama, Sitcom, Sketch Comedy, Soap and Theatre. He has worked and trained with the BBC across drama, soap and comedy. He is also a qualified journalist, a talented copywriter.
The cast, crew and all involved welcome him on board and are looking forward to seeing if he is really as cool as his accent.