Producing television soap opera in Tanzania

In producing television soap opera one or more persons have to be responsible for the production. These may include one, two or all of the following: producer, director, editor, scriptwriter, designers, camera person(s) and the actors. This study aimed at examining the challenges in producing television soap opera drama in Tanzania: the case of ITV and TBC television stations. It focused on the process of producing television soap opera, the people who are involved in production and the challenges that emerge from the way these dramas are produced. Data for this dissertation was obtained based on field and library research with guided research questions. The methods include interviews, focus group discussions and case study. Through literature review and field investigation, it was established that although drama production can involve various professionals, not all countries follow the same system in TV soap opera production. Data was presented through a qualitative approach and was critically analyzed. The study found out that in television stations studied usually one person takes over the responsibilities of the producer, director and editor while where they exist, costume designers and performers have limited skills and experience. This situation has been identified as a challenge in the production of quality soap opera drama.