Making Waves: Shania Banton is Ready for Forgiveness in Season Two of Her Web Series
It was back in 2017 when Shania Banton, founder of Just Shania LLC, decided to create her first web series. She was in college, looking for a job, and could no longer afford the acting classes she had come to enjoy. Reflecting on her next steps, she found a screenplay she’d written the year prior and set her mind to finishing it. Banton saw this screenplay as her opportunity to land the roles she had always wanted. So, with her feet to the ground, she took out a credit card, hired a “production company,” casted actors, and started production on Season One of her web series, Waves, which she completed in eleven days all while working a full time job.
The inspiration for the show, Banton says, comes from her real life experience. Based on a tough personal relationship, she wanted to make a body of work that sent the message that, “Blood isn’t always thicker than water”. What could convey that message better than a story about two sisters? Nia (played by Banton) is forced to open her doors to her dysfunctional sister Jean (Sunny Shen) for the summer, but a secret from Jean’s past could change their relationship forever. Over the course of five episodes, their dysfunctionality plays out amongst their romantic relationships and friendship dynamics that forces the sisters to confront their issues with one another. Whether that’s for the better or not, you’ll have to stream the show on one of the many platforms where it’s available to find out.
Once you’ve gotten through the less than 30 minute episodes, I’m sure you’ll be intrigued to know where Nia and Jean’s story takes them. Well, in Season Two the sisters find themselves in therapy, trying to find space to forgive one another for all the hurt they’ve caused the other. But Nia, betrayed by Jean, isn’t sure if she’ll ever forgive her sister for keeping a life changing secret. It’s the final season of the web series so Banton went all out; making sure she checked every box on her list of things she wanted to include. She touches upon themes of therapy, forgiveness, and self-love; all integral to one’s self- development. Each episode will follow Marilyn Mitchell’s “The 9 Steps of Forgiveness” and also include, once again, Banton’s personal experiences exploring therapy and forgiveness. She’s clear to make it known, however, that this doesn’t mean Season Two is solely about mental health. It’s about bringing the sisters’ relationship full circle and depicting their individual journeys as they make their way back to each other and ultimately forgive. Banton wants to give her loyal audience the closure they deserve and intrigue a new audience along the way.
Following the path of her biggest inspirations, Issa Rae and Spike Lee (who has seen and enjoys the web series), Shania Banton is stepping up to make the stories she’d like to see herself in. Her guerilla filmmaking style is the epitome of someone who will do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. Involved in every step of the process, she writes, acts, directs, and edits her work all on her own. She is just on the precipice of moving to the next level and when she gets there, she’ll be sure to make more than a few waves.
Waves streams on Brainwash Media, Kweli TV, Afroland TV, and YouTube. Season Two premieres this October and you can follow Shania’s career more closely on, justshania.com