Chin Up is a fun, fresh South African story about the behind-the-scenes world of acting. It follows the life of a young, ambitious twenty-something year old actress as she attends castings, deals with her disinterested agent and handles insulting directors. Inspired by comedians like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Lena Dunham with their self-written and produced television series (30 Rock, Parks and Recreation and Girls) Chin Up is an offbeat and funny web series that could easily be extended into a fully fledged television series.
We need to see new and current South African stories on our televisions and in our cinemas. There are so many ways to be a South African and to be a girl living in South Africa today that many people, both locally and internationally, can relate to and are eager to see. The show is about keeping your chin up in spite of all the odds, following your dreams even when the road to success is long and meandering and not to take yourself too seriously along the way. That is a message that resonates with everyone.
Written by and starring Lara Lipschitz, who plays a version of her real life persona. (Perhaps the most insecure and naïve version.) The show is based on her experiences in auditions and in shows. Supported by some of South Africa’s finest comedic actors such as Bryan Van Niekerk, who plays her disinterested agent, Jason Goliath, who plays her agent’s personal therapist and James Cuningham, who plays her father.
Chin Up was recently part of the officials selection at the NYC Web Fest representing as the only web series from Africa. It was well received and Lara was awarded with Best Actress in a web series. Lara is currently working on season 3 and looking for interested funders and investors.
Watch all episodes here.
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