THE CUT

THE CUT is apparently a new reality TV show where viewers follow creative contestants tackling real-world design challenges while being exposed to the realities of the business they are about to enter. The judging panel or “style council” will search for South Africa's “design trendsetter of tomorrow” (whatever) with the show's winner netting a dream job at a leading company in his/her design/creative field.

The panel consists of three permanent judges, namely graphic designer Nathan Reddy, stylist and art director Felipe Mazibuko and fashion designer Palesa Mokubung, and a weekly “specialist” judge. The specialist judge will be an expert in the particular design discipline being featured as the task for that week. Tasks are judged on a contestant’s social, business and creative skills.

Sixteen contestants compete in a knockout-based series of 13 episodes. Each week, the contestants are divided into two teams, although the teams will not stay the same from week to week. Each weekly challenge is designed to test the contestants and determine who is able to think and create on their feet under the most unusual and trying of staged circumstances.
The first task to contestants was to design a billboard that captures the essence of DESIGN INDABA that both creative and non-creative individuals alike would identify with. The challenge is to position DESIGN INDABA as a global design institution that is rooted in South Africa; an institution that promotes the creative industries and facilitates the creative development of South Africa.

Watch THE CUT on SABC 1 on TUESDAY at 9PM on AUGUST 29 to see which team gets voted off the first round, by the Style Council.

It'll be interesting to see if it's a true reflection of what really goes on in a studio, and if there is any talent in that bunch. Eeenteresting…