Real value for Zim talent is lacking

that’s coming to my mind as we brace up and witness yet another exciting talent search project Star bright.
The name says it all, out of all the contestants someone not just lucky but really talented will be elevated to stardom.
Everyone who thinks or believes they have a talent in some special way or the other at this point in time is seriously praying, planning and definitely getting ready to perform and maybe walk away with big price.
The three wise men saw a star and followed it to where baby Jesus was born. As the auditions begin a panel of judges, specialists will seek to follow the hidden star until they find it and set it up to shine over all. Star so bright. . .
We have witnessed a number of talent search programmes all across the world and even back home in our own backyard.
During the screening and selection processes hearts have been broken, tears have been shed, the viewers have voted and finally there has to be a winner.
A look at local talent search projects leave one wondering whether it’s about giving talent a platform to ride on to success or it’s about the owners of the concept making big bucks.
The last couple of years has seen nothing to right home about the winners of these projects here in Zimbabwe as those who would have made it are seen roaming the streets in search for opportunities. Having reached that final stage of the race it is naturally assumed that life would never be the same again for the shining star.
Unfortunately this has not been the story.
The visionaries of these concepts are the real winners as they enjoy the success of their project and so they pack their kit and go on holiday while the winners go back into the rough of things.
One of the common prizes comes in the form of a recording contract.
How many of the past winners do you know who have recorded and have made noise on the local market?
As Zim talent braces up for this grand opportunity to shine I wish to challenge the brains behind it to give us a real deal.
For example, one of the prizes for the winner or winners are several recording contracts, with who the big question is and then what?
We don’t want silly recording contracts with just a studio down town, but rather a full package that looks at all sides of the whole music deal from marketing, branding and merchandise distribution and concert promotions.
The winner must automatically become an outstanding brand.
While at that who ever wins whether a musician or a comedian must be attached to reputable organisations that are known for quality work.
We want the world to see this Zim star shining brightly and claiming space on the entertainment circuit both locally and abroad.
Talent search programmes go a long way in creating a platform for anyone who feels or knows, or has been told that they are talented an opportunity to try their luck.
For some this marks the beginning of development in their dream of taking either the music career seriously for some enter just for the fun.
Watching the process week in and out will show you how quantity is developed into quality by a group of specialists, dress choreographers, image consultants; make up, stage and performance directors, vocal coaches and many more.
It is always exciting to see how talent is discovered developed stage by stage.
Some come with okay vocals and no image, while others come on with a good image and very little or no talent, the mix varies.
As long as the judges select someone in the first round automatically you begin to see a change in each one of the lucky ones.
They are taken through workshops that break their limitations and expose them to their negatives and positives in a view to develop and prepare them for the next stage of the competition.
From observation some have failed to impress the adjudicators because of their dressing while the potential can be heard loud and clear.
It is always advisable to make the best impression the very first time one goes on stage, and so to those getting ready to rock make sure you are looking the part.
I wonder how you can choose a winner in a competition that is catering for a varied number of talents and skills and finally claim that this is the winner.
I think it’s wiser to run comedy competitions on their own, singing, dancing eating separately so that objectivity is seen, measured and realised.
Lets all wait and see what will happen to the winners of the recent talent search Star bright.
Zimbabwe for a fact has amazing talent and its up to us to discover, develop protect, promote and of course celebrate it.
Why is it that companies who want to use artists always want to negotiate or even set the price for any artist and yet when we go to buy a product or a service from them their price never changes or negotiated?
Stop giving our artists raw deals and pay them what they deserve.