Online Reporter
Sunday News Correspondent
The current MultiChoice Talent Factory course for aspiring Southern African filmmakers moved up a notch recently when the students moved from online training in their home countries to in-situ training at the Lusaka MTF Academy venue.
Two Zimbabweans, Anthony Chiturike and Tatenda Kombora, are on this year’s course, following in the footsteps of the other young Zimbabweans who have been part of the MTF journey since it was launched in 2018.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory training initiative gives the students a chance to develop skills and learn all about the process of filmmaking, as well as helping them become participants in Africa’s fast-growing film and television production landscape.
Created to substantially increased the pool of skills and talent across Africa, MTF has so far turned out several hundred trained and eager professionals, some of whom are already making a major difference to the industry. Two Zimbabweans have been included in the courses each year, ensuring that Zimbabwe remains part of the growth pattern.
Twenty-four-year-old Tatenda Kombora has been thrilled with the transition to in-situ training, where the diversity of the student base has been her most cherished discovery. The 20 course participants are sourced from a range of Southern African countries for the Lusaka-based course.
“I have been amazed at the variety of languages and people, and to interact with them all has been an eye-opening experience,” she said.
“It has been a great space for learning and not only are we all from different countries and backgrounds, but we also have different focus interests. We have people whose focus is cinematography, others keen on writing or editing and so on. It’s been so good for the whole learning experience.”
She describes the previous months of online training as lessons offering a time of learning the whole production cycle.
“These physical training sessions have truly been immersions, and we have been meeting industry giants and MTF alumni. Soon we shall embark on our own production process of a movie project,” she said.
“In our second week we were on the set of one of Zambia’s biggest television productions, Impali, giving us an experience I found transformational. As a writer, I approached the experience with a real hunger to learn, not just about my own area of interest, but all other aspects of the filmmaking process.
“I experienced sound and directing and then fell in love with lighting and cinematography. To enhance my skills I enrolled in an online cinematography course and my colleagues have been so supportive with answers for all the questions I have, and with guidance.”
Tatenda said she was determined to now become an excellent cinematographer – a field in which female participants are few – and she speculates that in some future productions she will have credits as ‘cinematographer, writer, gaffer and producer even.’
Her class has already shot five independent short films and more will follow.
“These are concepts that are written and developed by the students and in which she has been asked to be an actor. I have used this opportunity to work as a lighting technician, another passion I have developed,” she said.
She has been fascinated to learn that the production of low-budget productions demands that ‘necessity be the mother of invention,’ leading to innovativeness and creativity among the team.
“This whole immersion has been the highlight so far, and I and two other students were given the opportunity to be part of the Impali writers’ room, a platform for writers to meet, discuss story progression, story arcs and character development.
“For me it was almost intoxicating to see the writers being thrilled by each other’s work and sharing ideas across the room. To be in the room where some of Zambia’s best stories are nurtured was inspiring,” she said.
In the future she wants to be a scriptwriter who actually sells scripts, as well as be the creator of a show that stands the test of time, lasting decades perhaps and becoming synonymous with a culture.
“I have been developing a television show idea, as well as that of a documentary and even a full feature film, and I hope my growth will lead to that,” she said.
Offering advice to future MTF applicants, she said: “speak to alumni, research the programme and be part of a webinar I am hosting to assist potential students with my learning experience.
“I’m here to help them if I can,” she said, adding that her e-mail address was [email protected].
Her colleague Anthony has found the transition from online to actual refreshing and rewarding, and he describes the vibe of the venue as ‘energetic and inspiring.’
“While online learning may offer balance and flexibility the great thing about actual physical learning is that it is so hands-on and inspiring,” he said.
“The mentorship has been supportive and practical, offering real guidance and valuable industry insights.”
Anthony spent two weeks on the Impali show and has followed that up with involvement in making a one-hour production. For him the greatest part of the experience is the ability to collaborate and the discovery of a strong MTF community, of which he is an important part.
“In future I wish to make impactful films, grow in the industry and tell meaningful stories and I advise any potential students to make sure they have a passion and express that passion in their application to be on a future MTF course,” he said.
As the current course heads towards completion by mid-year, focus will soon fall on the next course, applications for which closed on February 27 and for which students will in coming months be interviewed and participants selected, destind to follow in the footsteps of the other graduates, including Tatenda and Anthony.
derick.khumalo