By Tawanda Ngena
From screenwriting to directing, editing, cameramanship, acting and even music, the man simply known as 'Deejay Holy' does it all!
To his credit, Deejay Holy (real name Eutychus Chamunorwa) has produced quite a number of films and music videos, some of which have been screened on local and international TV stations such as ZBC, Cape Town Television, Mzasi Magic Dstv, ETV and SABC 2 among others. His first major international film was 'The lost One', a film he produced in collaboration with Norwegian filmmakers.
The former South-African-based filmmaker is currently working on a short film series called 'Master Plan' featuring the likes of Kizito Mawoko (famous for his role as 'Dredd Welly' in Zimbabwe's first soapie, Studio 263),four time NAMA Award winner, Eunice Tava and Teddy Mangawa, to mention a few.
According to Deejay Holy, 'Master Plan' is a 13 episode short film series with each episode running 10 minutes long. A pilot episode for the short series is already available on YouTube.
Deejay Holy began his music, film and television career in 2005 while working with INTV as a music producer, creating sound effects and soundtracks on their television program Citizen Child which flighted on ZBC back then.
After moving to South Africa in 2009, he joined Southern Youth Film Festival (SUFF) and Animation Academy where his responsibilities occassionaly see him travelling around South Africa running filmmaking workshops. Eutychus also works as a project coordinator for Dollywood Productions, which focuses on films made by disabled youth in South Africa and leads anti-gang campaigns in and around his community to help the youth. His work with the youth hardly ends there, as Deejay Holy also runs music workshops (with the help of World Vision) targeted at the 7-15years old age group.
The 29 year old also founded and has successfully hosted a peagent titled Miss Atlantis since 2014 which attracted on board companies such as Revlon, Okhule Media and Fusion Models. The Miss Atlantis 2014 was broadcasted on SABC 2, Hectic Nine 9 and Cape Town Television Ek’se.
Urban Craft magazine caught up with the filmmaker and here is more on what he had to say,
From film to music and everything in-between, Would you consider yourself a jack-of-all-trades?
Yes we might choose to use those words but every person has an area of specialty and mine being film but I believe I can contribute a great deal towards the music industry as well.
Out of everything that you do, which would you say you were most passionate about?
It’s not an easy choice for me to choose but being on the spot as I am right now, all that I can say is that I discovered earlier on in life that it is the talent and the love of what you do that matters the most. I am grateful to be blessed with so many talents.
Describe yourself in a single sentence
Deejay holy is an entity that is largely made up of various attributes and aspirations that have all gone a long way in shaping me into the man that I am today.
Thus far, what have been some of your fondest memories?
Having come from a very humble beginning like most of my peers, there are so many fond memories. The experience I gained while doing commercial productions like DWP's 'Kamusikana Katete' (Remix) and it being my 1st production to ever be played on national radio stations and the 'Citizen Child' sound tracks, these are memories that I won't soon forget.
What motivates you?
Obviously the need to succeed gives me the motivation to focus more clearly on my aspirations, and to change lives through my work.
Who are some of your greatest influences coming up as a filmmaker?
Tyler Perry has had a great impact in influencing my destination although I can say this was not my childhood dream. I remember during those days when we used to have traditional dances, school choir and drama club but I never dwelt much into arts at an earlier age but over the years I developed a deep passion and love for it.
What else are you currently working on that the world can look forward to?
I am currently working on my first theater production. Secondly I have a House Gospel project I am working on plus I have several short film projects that were recently completed as well.
As we are talking I am currently back in Zimbabwe because I saw the need to establish a solid base back home. On my return I have already set up a Casting and Modeling Agency to develop young talent using the experience that I have gained in South Africa but because of the prevailing economic challenges it is a mammoth task, but a task that I must fulfill neverthless!
What is your take on the Zimbabwean film industry?
Zimbabwean film has evolved over the years and a lot more talent has been discovered in pre-production and post production. The industry however, continues to face a great deal of challenges in as far as censorship, funding and distribution (lack thereof). We can not ignore the effects that piracy has had on the industry as well but generally I think that we have developed for better regardless of these and other challenges
From screenwriting to directing, editing, cameramanship, acting and even music, the man simply known as 'Deejay Holy' does it all!
To his credit, Deejay Holy (real name Eutychus Chamunorwa) has produced quite a number of films and music videos, some of which have been screened on local and international TV stations such as ZBC, Cape Town Television, Mzasi Magic Dstv, ETV and SABC 2 among others. His first major international film was 'The lost One', a film he produced in collaboration with Norwegian filmmakers.
The former South-African-based filmmaker is currently working on a short film series called 'Master Plan' featuring the likes of Kizito Mawoko (famous for his role as 'Dredd Welly' in Zimbabwe's first soapie, Studio 263),four time NAMA Award winner, Eunice Tava and Teddy Mangawa, to mention a few.
According to Deejay Holy, 'Master Plan' is a 13 episode short film series with each episode running 10 minutes long. A pilot episode for the short series is already available on YouTube.
Deejay Holy began his music, film and television career in 2005 while working with INTV as a music producer, creating sound effects and soundtracks on their television program Citizen Child which flighted on ZBC back then.
After moving to South Africa in 2009, he joined Southern Youth Film Festival (SUFF) and Animation Academy where his responsibilities occassionaly see him travelling around South Africa running filmmaking workshops. Eutychus also works as a project coordinator for Dollywood Productions, which focuses on films made by disabled youth in South Africa and leads anti-gang campaigns in and around his community to help the youth. His work with the youth hardly ends there, as Deejay Holy also runs music workshops (with the help of World Vision) targeted at the 7-15years old age group.
The 29 year old also founded and has successfully hosted a peagent titled Miss Atlantis since 2014 which attracted on board companies such as Revlon, Okhule Media and Fusion Models. The Miss Atlantis 2014 was broadcasted on SABC 2, Hectic Nine 9 and Cape Town Television Ek’se.
Urban Craft magazine caught up with the filmmaker and here is more on what he had to say,
From film to music and everything in-between, Would you consider yourself a jack-of-all-trades?
Yes we might choose to use those words but every person has an area of specialty and mine being film but I believe I can contribute a great deal towards the music industry as well.
Out of everything that you do, which would you say you were most passionate about?
It’s not an easy choice for me to choose but being on the spot as I am right now, all that I can say is that I discovered earlier on in life that it is the talent and the love of what you do that matters the most. I am grateful to be blessed with so many talents.
Describe yourself in a single sentence
Deejay holy is an entity that is largely made up of various attributes and aspirations that have all gone a long way in shaping me into the man that I am today.
Thus far, what have been some of your fondest memories?
Having come from a very humble beginning like most of my peers, there are so many fond memories. The experience I gained while doing commercial productions like DWP's 'Kamusikana Katete' (Remix) and it being my 1st production to ever be played on national radio stations and the 'Citizen Child' sound tracks, these are memories that I won't soon forget.
What motivates you?
Obviously the need to succeed gives me the motivation to focus more clearly on my aspirations, and to change lives through my work.
Who are some of your greatest influences coming up as a filmmaker?
Tyler Perry has had a great impact in influencing my destination although I can say this was not my childhood dream. I remember during those days when we used to have traditional dances, school choir and drama club but I never dwelt much into arts at an earlier age but over the years I developed a deep passion and love for it.
What else are you currently working on that the world can look forward to?
I am currently working on my first theater production. Secondly I have a House Gospel project I am working on plus I have several short film projects that were recently completed as well.
As we are talking I am currently back in Zimbabwe because I saw the need to establish a solid base back home. On my return I have already set up a Casting and Modeling Agency to develop young talent using the experience that I have gained in South Africa but because of the prevailing economic challenges it is a mammoth task, but a task that I must fulfill neverthless!
What is your take on the Zimbabwean film industry?
Zimbabwean film has evolved over the years and a lot more talent has been discovered in pre-production and post production. The industry however, continues to face a great deal of challenges in as far as censorship, funding and distribution (lack thereof). We can not ignore the effects that piracy has had on the industry as well but generally I think that we have developed for better regardless of these and other challenges
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