Telling stories for world to see
| Friday February 7, 2014 13:33
MMEGI: How different are you from the competition?
MOTSUMI: I do film for television. I tell stories that are local, real, moving, entertaining and authentic. I follow global television/film structures and format that’s why my productions are accepted in global television channels.
MMEGI: Where have your films been broadcast?
MOTSUMI: SABC 1, SABC 2, DStv, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana (Btv), USA, Asia and Europe.
MMEGI: Who are your biggest clients?
MOTSUMI: All SADC countries, but Soul City has been my biggest client for over six years.
MMEGI: What kind of content have you found to be more saleable?
MOTSUMI: Works on key determinants of behaviour as well as cultural and socio-economic and gender factors affecting communities.
MMEGI: What have been your other successes so far?
MOTSUMI: Becoming an accredited film and television director, having global networks and winning awards at film festivals around the world.
MMEGI: Can you name any such festivals and networks?
MOTSUMI: The New York Film Festival, African Diaspora Film Festival, Asian Film Festival, Film Professionals Network, Directors for Film and TV Network, and production companies.
MMEGI: To what extent can government help filmmaking in Botswana?
MOTSUMI: Government can help create a platform for filmmakers to tell their stories. It can also assist in establishing annual grants or seed money for filmmakers to master story structure and authentic story telling of Botswana accounts thus preparing them for global audiences.
MMEGI: How would you want the private sector to contribute to the development of film?
MOTSUMI: Film is the highest platform of advertising, public relations and branding for the private sector. It is also important for the private sector to be part of the development of the film industry as is their contribution in other codes.
MMEGI: What are the challenges of being a filmmaker based in Botswana?
MOTSUMI: Lack of platform to tell stories, lack of guilds and film offices. The crucial one is the empty and nonsense rivalry attitude amongst certain groups and individuals that cannot work together.
MMEGI: Are there any positives of doing filmmaking in Botswana?
MOTSUMI: Yes, Botswana has a million untold and unique stories that the world is waiting for. With a bit of patience and hard work, I see transformation.
MMEGI: The national budget just came out this week, what were your hopes and what is on the arts’ wish list?
MOTSUMI: I take it as is. As for the arts, I see some improvements in activities and support. It is only with film that we need a drawing board to put things in order together with the arts department, and other relevant stakeholders so that we get the support we need.
MMEGI: Is it easy or difficult to enter the filmmaking industry?
MOTSUMI: It depends on what you want to achieve. It is not for the faint hearted. Anyone can obtain equipment but that does not make one a filmmaker. The skills too are dependent on creativity and practical experience. Filmmaking is not a one-man job.
It is a combination of various skills. Equipment develops technologically all the time, and is expensive if you are doing film professionally. Getting basic equipment is ideal. You can then hire high tech equipment. But for aspiring ones, the focus is to use basic equipment to tell stories - focus should be on the story not the equipment. If you do not understand a story arc and structure, it could be a challenge.
MMEGI:Which other services does your film firm offer?
MOTSUMI: Television and film productions, television and film-specific consultation, edutainment and behaviour change communications for television, film and radio, modern advertising and media solutions, professional directing and producing services.