Tennesia Malcolm, Gleaner Writer

Bernice (played by Macka Diamond) has serious words with Monsieur Gene Parrot (played by Clive Duncan) on Royal Palm Estate.

NEXT ON Royal Palm Estate: Macka Diamond, D'Angel, (the other) Angel, Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart and SSP Reneto Adams, all appearing in guest roles when the local drama series returns to CVM TV for its 26th season on April 27.

These appearances, according to producer/director Lennie Little-White, are part of a thrust to introduce the concept of the guest star to the long-running soap opera.

"These characters would not necessarily be on in successive seasons, but if the public loves these guest stars, then they might become regular characters," explains Little-White, who heads Mediamix, the production company which has been behind RPE since it first aired in 1994.

The pull factor

It is interesting to note that the guest roles are occupied by persons who, for the most part, have no acting experience, but whose pull factor would rest solely on their current popularity. Still, Teddy Price, who has played Senior Superintendent of Police Foster for almost a decade, says this is a move which he welcomes totally.

"I fully embrace and welcome the new artistes to the cast. You should always have variety; it adds spice. There should always be new people," Price reiterates.

But will the return of the series command a similar reception? After a significant absence - which Little-White blames on board changes at former sponsor CVM TV, which ended with the station withdrawing its investment - Royal Palm Estate has returned with new backers.

Aiming for a youthful look

"Mediamix now funds the programme, along with sponsors. What we do is purchase air time from CVM," Little-White said.

He quickly points out that Mediamix is still a shareholder in CVM.

Some of the sponsors to which the producer refers are Unilever (main sponsors), Motor Sales and Service, Burger King and Little-White's own Outameni Experience.

To keep sponsors interested, the RPE writers have embarked on a youth campaign. More young people are being written into the script - one being the daughter of the policeman Trevor Madden played by Bobby Smith.

"We are very conscious of dating. There is a youth kick in Jamaica; people who support TV ads want youth with disposable income. So we are trying to bring in kids," the Mediamix boss explains.

But what of the general audience which some say has dwindled because the series has outlived its usefulness?

"People who've been watching still love Miss Joyce, they still love Sonny T," he said. Little-White pointed out that RPE is still popular because it has grassroots appeal.

"It doesn't lose its grassroots quality. We represent social mobility, but it still hasn't lost common touch," he stated. "There is nothing else like it; it fills a vacuum."

Stretching across the caribbean

The series has found an audience in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, where it enjoys its biggest popularity outside of Jamaica. Little-White says these countries are just experiencing the seventh and 16th seasons respectively, so the producers try not to make it too date specific. The show focuses on health and social issues, such as cancer, AIDS, the use of birth control, property ownership, albeit in a subtle manner.

"We have poor people, but we don't show poverty, not that it doesn't exist, but we don't emphasise zinc fences and tenement yards," Little-White said.

He hopes that by presenting Jamaica in a more favourable light, they will be able to capture a more international audience.

Little-White says despite its popularity, it has been challenging to keep Royal Palm Estate afloat.

"It is the most expensive production in television but we get no support from the broadcast media," he told The Gleaner. "CVM had a minority investment which never exceeded 35 per cent."

More funding needed

The director says production relies heavily on a barter system with the private sector, such as hotels which offer rooms in exchange for some form of publicity on the show.

But Little-White says more funding is needed if the series is to realise its dream of widening its market.

"We are trying to eventually find funds to take it to a higher level. The series has a following which goes beyond Jamaicans alone. We want to include international stars, but we need a middleman," he said.

Local artistes have helped in that thrust as they provide their music on concession which adds flavour and helps to pull fans of reggae and dancehall.

Little-White says Royal Palm's popularity puts the series in good stead for a crossover. Plans for filming in other countries are next in line.