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VIDEOGRAPHER Brighton Magaya says he no longer takes “gentlemen’s agreements” after years of exploitation, at the hands of established artists.
The 32-year-old, who runs Laktam Studios in the capital, reckons being short-changed by his clients has made him wiser. He, however, admitted he still accepts payment plans from clients.
Over the years, he has worked with Peter Moyo, Romeo Gasa, Vabati VaJehova, Trymore Bande, Tryson Chimbetu, Bethany Pasinawako, Mambo Dhuterere, Agatha Murudzwa, Chiedza Chevatendi, Joseph Tivafire, Mark Ngwazi, Progress Chipfumo and Simon Mutambi.
Although he enjoys cordial relations with most of his clients, he said there were some who abuse friendship by deliberately defaulting payments.
He said he once threatened to name and shame such clients but stopped for professional reasons.
“The art of video-making is really interesting but there are some clients who don’t want to pay on time.
“Some of them are stingy while others are just stubborn because they know me.
“I have devised a principle where someone has to pay first before we starting shooting.
“Ikozvino tangwara, handiende kubasa pasina payment yakakwana,” he said.
Magaya said he has retained most of his clients.
“I am so happy with how other artists are coming to work with me because they trust my services.
“There are some who I used to help for free when they were either broke, or were just starting, who are still loyal to me. As for those, who deliberately defaulted before, I still assist them because we have managed to mend bridges,” he said.
Unlike in other disciplines, where competition usually divide people, Magaya said he enjoys health relations with competitors.
“I don’t have a problem with other videographers because we have different strengths. I am in good books with other most sought after videographers in Zimbabwe like Slimaz, Naxo Films, who always encourage me to work hard,” he said.
Magaya, who comes from a rich musical family, said has he dreams big.
“My vision is to have a world-class studio in Zimbabwe where I will be promoting young talents and underprivileged artists.
“I was inspired by my background where I was surrounded people who pampered me with gifts yet my colleagues were poor. I grew up seeing cameras that were used by my dad who died when I was five.
“Seeing the photos he used to take of our family then got me interested in photography and being interested in arts in general.
“Our family choral group, Vabati VaJehova, made me realise my potential even though I further developed interest on the visuals side of it,” he said.
Like any other artist, Magaya has people that he looks up to in his trade of visuals.
“My role model is Director Kenny, who does most of Tanzanian videos.
“I like Tanzanian music and rhumba from DRC, music which inspires me a lot. My achievements so far are that I have produced beautiful videos with such artists such as Mambo Dhuterere, especially the vide to the song Mweya Ndisesekedze, along with Vabati VaJehova’s Munoita Minana.
“I have also done videos for Peter Moyo and Romeo Gasa, which did very well,” he said.
Asked how he came up with the name Laktam Studios, he said:
“I got my stable name Laktam Studios from two names, which happen to be my brother Richard Magaya, the leader of Vabati VaJehova’s first daughter Lakiesha and my first born Tamia to make it Laktam.”
Besides taking videos, Magaya also boasts of another hidden talent.
“I’m a graphic designer too, I do design album sleeves and posters,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter