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By Chinenye Anuforo
The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Young Filmmakers’ Day, hosted by the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) shone a spotlight on various aspects of filmmaking, with a significant focus on the often-underappreciated art and science of sound.
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, emphasized the organization’s commitment to holistic filmmaking education. “We have concentrated on different areas of filmmaking and in the coming years, we will continue offering coaching, acting, and directing workshops.”
She urged aspiring filmmakers to engage with the MTF platform, saying, “If you haven’t attended any of our masterclasses this year, you are missing out. I urge you to follow our social media pages to stay informed about upcoming masterclasses throughout the year. We host many masterclasses featuring both international and local experts who specialize in various filmmaking disciplines, she stated”
Tejumola also expressed her hopes for the future of sound in African cinema. “I truly hope you learn something today, and I am optimistic that sound will become a primary consideration in movies, series, and all our productions, rather than an afterthought,” she asserted. Highlighting a common industry challenge, she added, “I know many sound designers try to work on the sound after filming, which often leads to mismatches. So, I am looking forward to what Shawn will share.”
The session was facilitated by Shawn Butler, a seasoned sound professional with 19 years of experience in the U.S. film industry. He passionately articulated the crucial role of sound in storytelling. “This class is for you, and indeed for everyone. We will discuss how sound can enhance your storytelling, ensuring that your movies, productions, and TV shows are heard as intended,” he explained.
He further elaborated on the immersive power of sound, stating, “Sound contributes far more than just dialogue; it creates the background, the atmosphere, the feeling, it captures the moment. Think about watching a scary movie. Sound is much more than just hearing voices; it encompasses everything you hear that contributes to a film’s success.”
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Drawing a historical parallel, Butler reminded the audience of the foundational role of audio. “While visuals are crucial, before pictures, we listened to stories on the radio, where sound effects and other audio elements built the environment. Then sound came to movies. Now, globally, sound is recognized as ingenious, as everything.” He encouraged active participation, saying, “So, for those who aren’t fully present and engaged, you are missing out.”
Addressing a key area for improvement in African filmmaking, Butler noted, “From an outsider’s perspective, some of the issues we face aren’t in the visuals but in the sound. I need to address some of these things now. No one wants to watch a movie where the audio seems delayed. The sound must be synchronized. Footstep sounds need to match the action precisely.” He then delved into the fundamentals of “location sound,” defining it as “the audio you capture on set, the room tone, the dialogue, and sometimes even music and other necessary elements recorded on location.”
He stressed the importance of sound directors being involved early in the production process. “When you are a sound director on a production, you should be part of the production scout, or location scout. Your input is valuable. Don’t let producers say they don’t need you, because they very much do, just like they need the Director of Photography and other producers. You are the one who can identify potential sound issues with a location.” He provided concrete examples, such as dealing with generator noise and passing trains, emphasizing the need for proactive planning.
The session continued with a detailed explanation of microphones, demystifying the differences between various types and their applications. “Many people don’t understand the differences between them. They might think any microphone, a USB microphone, plugging into the camera, or even the camera’s built-in microphone is sufficient. But if you want professional sound comparable to Hollywood productions, you need professional gear,” Butler advised. He differentiated between consumer, prosumer, and professional-grade equipment, highlighting the necessity of preamps for high-quality audio capture.
The day’s discussions gained a crucial personal dimension with the insights of Olufisayo Solaja, a dedicated sound recordist and audio mixer. Drawing from her experiences as a woman in a field often perceived as male-dominated, Solaja shared encounters with bias. “I think my biggest surprise on set was when I was introduced as the sound recordist, and someone asked, ‘Oh, where is he?’ I was standing right in front of the producer! The producer then asked, ‘Oh, is it she?’ And then I have had someone say directly to my face, ‘Can she do it?’ I just thought, okay, we will see. I don’t need to say anything, I will just show you what I am capable of. I think those stereotypical assumptions have been the biggest surprises for me.” Far from being discouraged by these stereotypes, Solaja explained that they ignited her ambition to not only meet but exceed expectations, determined to prove her detractors wrong. Her advice to aspiring young female recordists was to maintain unwavering focus on their aspirations and pursue their dreams, refusing to allow anyone to undermine their potential.
Young Filmmakers’ Day is one of several industry events ahead of the AMVCA 2025 finale, alongside Cultural Night (Friday, May 9) and the AMVCA Awards Night (Saturday, May 10), which will air live across Africa on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv from 4:00 PM WAT (Red Carpet) and 7:00 PM WAT (Main Show).
The MultiChoice Talent Factory continues to be a beacon for African creatives, championing skill development, mentorship, and innovation in storytelling across the continent.
