To enhance the quality of sound in Kenyan film and television, the MultiChoice Talent Factory in partnership with the U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassy Nairobi, hosted Kenya’s inaugural sound design masterclass. This three-day event, held from 6th – 8th November 2024, drew over 70 sound design and engineering experts, along with emerging talent from Kenya’s entertainment industry.
Sounding Off
“The initiative marks a pivotal step toward elevating local production standards to meet international quality benchmarks.” Said Crystal Waitekus, Deputy Cultural Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
This collaboration between the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, MultiChoice, and Kenyan filmmakers reflects the broader trend of cultural exchange and industry development.
“As Hollywood and global streaming platforms expand their reach. Initiatives like this sound design masterclass represent an important step toward fostering local talent. It improves the technical and artistic quality of local productions, and ensuring that Kenyan and broader African films are heard literally and figuratively.” Waitekus said.
Safaricom & MultiChoice Stream Together
Participants gained hands-on experience in sound recording, mixing, and post-production, led by Emmy-nominated music director Andrew Gross from Konsonant Music in Los Angeles. In addition to technical skills, the masterclass focused on industry standards like loudness compliance and immersive audio, which are essential for global competitiveness. The curriculum was designed to equip attendees with practical skills immediately applicable in the field.
Victoria Goro, MultiChoice Talent Factory, Director, Eastern Africa Academy emphasized the importance of quality sound design in storytelling. “Sound Design is an integral part of the filmmaking process that truly enhances the viewing experience. It has the power to immerse the audience in the story, create a sense of realism, establish mode and tone, and evoke emotion, thus making the viewer feel like they are part of the story. That is why it is important to address sound design issues such as bad production values and sub-par quality as they contribute to a poor watching experience for audiences.”
The Future of Kenyan Film
The Kenyan film industry has grown significantly over time. However, observations from local producers reveal several challenges that affect sound quality. These include prohibitive equipment prices, limited access to critical software, and a shortage of certified sound facilities that satisfy international requirements.
Furthermore, producers frequently lack comprehension of sound intricacy, and many directors lack training in sound narrative. In addition, there are no mandated sound quality standards in broadcasting, which impacts overall uniformity. Finally, a lack of mentorship limits opportunities for aspiring sound designers to obtain hands-on experience.
“We also need to debunk the myths around sound production such as sound design being difficult to understand or practice. This masterclass lays the groundwork for the local film industry to achieve a competitive edge on the global stage. We hope that the graduates of the masterclass will become advocates for improved sound quality in the industry. This will inspire a broader movement toward high production standards.”
“Sound Design immerses viewers, sets the tone, and brings the narrative to life. Addressing issues like poor production values is essential to offering audiences a compelling viewing experience,” Goro said. She noted that sound quality remains a challenge for many local productions due to limited resources, high equipment costs, and a lack of formal sound standards in broadcasting.
Despite the growth of Kenya’s film industry, challenges like prohibitive costs, inadequate training, and limited access to sound technology continue to affect production quality. This masterclass aimed to address these obstacles and foster a new wave of sound design talent, with graduates poised to champion higher sound standards and inspire improvements across the industry.
