17 Jul 2024

The legendary music producer, David Molosi aka ‘Skizo’, says initiatives such as the Botswana Ignite master classes are a benefit to the film industry. Molosi  said this in an interview following the Botswana Ignite master class on music composition for film. 

The master classes are facilitated by South African composer, Phil Miller, who composed for Yizo Yizo, Shaka Ilembe and the Emmy-award winning score from the South African film, Miners Shot Down. 

 In attendance were music producers alongside film students and filmmakers, who came to learn more about film scoring and how to make music for films. 

Molosi  said this was part of growth for the film industry, as there had not been any film schools in the country only in the advent of institutions such as Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. 

“This is a good initiative for film students, so that we can get people who will be able to score for theatre and film as well as television dramas and make music knowing where to put effects in those productions,” Molosi  said, emphasising the importance of attending these sessions. Although the master class was not about teaching people how to write music but how to write music for film.

Molosi  said with these sessions, Botswana would not have to farm out these skills from expert outside. 

“It is a step in the right direction, because there is skills transfer,” he said.  He said they should take advantage of government’s initiatives which most of the time come for free. Giving insights on the music composition for film session, a Botswana Ignite Television Academy student, Thato Kaluluka, said music was a critical element in film.

 “From today’s engagement, I got inspired to have film scores that resonate with Botswana more,” she said. Kalulaka said one of the topics that stood out for her was negotiating contractse, music rights as well as licensing. 

“Most of us lack knowledge on copyrights and how the music or any art we make is protected so after today,  a light was shed and in future we will be able to protect our work and negotiate what rightfully belongs to us,” she noted. 

She also said sessions such as these also assist them in securing the financial success and integrity of their projects.  ENDS