Poor sound track for Lobola

good, because it boasts of a good sound system made of high quality speakers.
All this adds to the atmosphere of a film, because the sound would be coming from different directions. This system of reproducing sound is called Dolby stereo.
Most households today boast a powerful home theatre and sound system that has made watching movies at home more exciting for the whole family.
You can almost feel every part of the movie. Tears can run down your cheeks and your heart can really be taken and the suspense can be so severe.
Guess what, I finally bought a copy of the movie Lobola that has been the talk of town since Munyaradzi “The Diamond Boy” Chidzonga stepped back from the Big Brother All Stars.
It took the children of Israel 40 years to get to the Promised Land, and as I watched this clip I felt like it is the same with “Zimbos”.
Since the movie was launched critics have been saying that it was rushed and not properly executed. And from a musical point of view it indeed was a major flop.
A good movie never leaves out music. It’s like a meal without salt or any spices. This is where you also need a good cook to be able to do the job. Before I say why this movie did not impress me last week, I talked about producing quality videos and I must say the picture quality in this movie is great but the type of shots used to depict the scenes are not interesting or engaging.
While I was watching I looked at the sleeve just to see who was the musical director and it doesn’t mention but on the screen it mentions sound and design by so and so.
The use of correct sound effects soundtracks and even popular songs is very important as it contributes to the different dynamics being presented by the actors and the main story line.
It is the job of the director to choose a composer to write the music. The director decides which scenes will have music and what sort of music would suit each scene. The composer then needs to cue the music so that it fits the action on the screen.
An oversight on this side of the production has great effect on the final product as it fails to raise and generate the desired goal of communicating.
Sometimes you can actually follow a movie because of the atmospheric music playing in the background and that includes the highs and lows the chimes and rhymes.
The type of music that was used in the lobola movie does not correspond with the actions and emotions being portrayed, rather plays a filler between scenes.
From nowhere the music starts, the style and the moment don’t relate, all of a sudden it cuts away not fade but cut.
A lot of scenes go without any background, incidental music. There is no build-up in the story due to all these gaps. The other major setback is the volume levels, which keep you holding on to your remote control.
I might need to remind readers that music is one of the greatest ways to express feelings and the scenery.
There is a general feeling that must be characteristic of the presentation and then a few particular songs can also fit in a film, theme music usually sums up the general mood: dramatic, romantic or action packed.
The music you hear in movies is crafted to let the audience know something is about to happen, or to make them think something is about to happen.
The reason why it will take us 40 years or more to sit back and enjoy Zimbabwean productions is because we don’t pay attention to all the details and give the right people to do the job. Usually the excuse is budget.
Engaging someone to take care of the music side does not only mean money but profile. John Williams has written music for many blockbusters, including Jurassic Park and the Star Wars Triology.
Whatever production we do let’s remember we are raising the Zimbabwean flag high and so get the best producers, singers instrumentalists etc. Why not run a competition in line with your theme and then select the best.
Proudly Zimbabwean
l Richard Kohola is a music critic and development expert and can be contacted on the following number 0772 382 871 or email [email protected]