I’m building a music resume - Viboyo

Viboyo is known to many as an artiste but in his other life, Moses Nsubuga heads the video department at Swangz Avenue, a record label specialising in production of both audio and motion pictures.

His work involves overseeing the video productions, from concepts, cast, locations, equipment and putting teams together. When choosing a location before shooting a music video or commercial advert, he will look through a script or story and treatment of the picture.

For a song, he will have to listen to the song with his team and digest it. They will then share ideas on an appropriate story and pick one. Viboyo or simply Boyo believes that two heads are better than one so he likes choice of a story to be a collective effort.

Outstanding marks
Three of the music videos that stand out from Swangz Avenue which his team has worked on include the music collaboration between Sheeba Karungi and Irene Ntale Ottubatisa, Father Michael’s Kumavivi, Kyowulira by Winnie Nwagi and Black Skin’s Laiao.

Before he embarks on shooting a production, he conceptualises it then consults with client or artiste about ideas they would like to see in the video. They will reach a middle ground on what can be incorporated or how to improve client’s ideas.

“As we speak about the concept or building a story, we also discuss the budget of the music or advert concept. If the client or artiste approves the concept, we will then scout or look for a location and cast that will feature in the video,” Viboyo explains.

It is not a one-man’s work. The video set team comprises a director of photography and production (DOP), someone in charge of gripping, spark, an electrician and runner (to do errands).

A date for the shoot will be set and then on D-day the team will come together. Averagely, the head of video production says he will have 15 to 20 people on set. After the video is shot, there will be a post-production process during which the footage is edited.

Costs involved
“During the post-production process, we will present the first-cut and final cut,” he adds. He says with the load of work, it is hard for an average video to go below Shs6m. The equipment used, hiring of a location and cast take the bigger chunk of the budget. Sometimes, the teams on set are outsourced.

Some of the equipment is also hired, for example, hiring of lights averagely cost Shs3.5m, DOP Shs2m and a professional director could ask for US$1, 000 (approximately Shs 33.4m). Viboyo says a director and editor make or spoil a video.
He observes, “That is the most important part of the video. It is the director who has the final vision of any film. The DOP and editor are there to interpret. People like me or what I’m doing at the moment is to avail the director with requirements and other very important tools to a good shoot.”

The artiste and production manager adds that most people have not yet got to know that any film is a combined effort behind the scenes which is made possible by a group of individuals with different talents and skills. He says the concept and how it is delivered from all involved parties in the production will make a video tick.

Away from his work
Viboyo considers Zali la Mentali music video by Professor Jay and Juma Nature as his greatest East African music video because of its execution at that time. Besides that, he respects all videos that come out with enough time and planning put in.

Viboyo is doing music videos because of experience he has amassed over the years. He is famed for songs such as Zalawo, Zina, Love me love, Ajooga, and Kitoobero. His music ranges in genres. It can be kwaito, Afro fusions of pop and dancehall, hip-hop and rumba. The content there is something entertaining.

Quick notes
Start of career: He cut his teeth in music in 2004, at 19, Owino, a track about one of Kampala’s biggest downtown market. His stage name, Viboyo, was born of something philosophical. It stands for ‘Visions Beyond Your Expectation’.
What he’s up to: Music and video production have their time as professions. To him, there is time for everything. At the moment, he is fattening his resume.