Online Reporter
Zimbabwean filmmakers could become world-beaters if they are given a chance to prove themselves, according to an aspiring industry professional now in training through the MultiChoice Talent Factory initiative.
Anthony Chiturike, one of two Zimbabweans studying filmmaking in the current MTF academic year, believes the pool of talent in Zimbabwe is large and the depth of commitment and drive within that community is huge.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory is a project designed to bring aspiring filmmakers to the forefront through a solid and far-reaching programme that exposes students to all aspects of the art and science of filmmaking. Now celebrating their fifth anniversary, MTF Academies have been created in Johannesburg for South Africa, Lusaka for the remainder of Southern Africa, Nairobi for East Africa and Lagos for West Africa, each hosting 20 students in each study year.
Chiturike was selected to be on the current course in succession to a growing stream of Zimbabweans who have been through the MTF programme since it was introduced. In this year’s programme, learning is conducted virtually but will also include on-site practical study in Lusaka in the later stages of the course.
“The course itself is very intense, requiring maximum attention. I am not only required to be in class every weekday, but I have to do my own research on whatever modules are being covered in that period. This has been a thrilling but pressure-filled journey, in which I need to balance MTF, my work and my other responsibilities, but it is also a hugely enjoyable one,” he said.
“The way I see storytelling keeps evolving as the course continues, and we must understand not only the creative process but also how the technical aspects bring the story to life.”
Chiturike joined the programme as a published author, with experience in creative writing for books and other publications .
When he decided to apply for consideration to be on the MTF course, his goal was to develop his screenwriting skills, which he is most certainly doing with the help of his course facilitators.
“I reached out to one of our facilitators, who is an excellent writer, and she has been assisting me in my studies with great advice and counselling on what I need to do to become a great screenwriter,” he said.
In addition, he has spread his range of interest and skills development into other areas, as the course is multi-faceted and aims at transferring knowledge across the whole spectrum of filmmaking activity.
“I want to develop my full understanding of visuaI storytelling, lighting, cinematography and sound engineering, among others, as these are essential if I am to produce and direct my own productions in coming years,” he said.
Through the knowledge gained within a valuable educational course, Chiturike hopes to find work opportunities as a media consultant working on the telling of African stories and to find his way into a bigger and more diverse network within the storytelling field.
“This will make it easier to produce authentic, quality African stories, based on ideas and experiences,” he said.
He is hoping not just to add to the work flowing from creative talent across Africa, but to pioneer content directions that inspire, inform, educate and entertain, giving new perspectives and concepts to people everywhere, and possibly getting his work into the international mainstream.
Chiturike believes the MTF course has shown him that a course is not just about learning the techniques and gaining the professional skills, but also growing oneself as a professional and a creative.
“We each need to go the extra mile, and always and everywhere be prepared to learn from others, from experiences and from one’s own personal development,” he said.
He looks forward to personal interaction with tutors and fellow students when the personal “live” training takes place later in the course year.
“I’m thrilled Zimbabwe has always been well represented in the MTF journey and I hope we can make a difference by having been on that journey,” he said.
