Shebapost had one on one conversation with Tamirat Mekonen Teklu. The following are our conversation with him about the making of Tikur Sew Video.

Shebapost: Can you tell us who you are?

Tamirat: My name is Tamirat Mekonen Teklu. I am a film maker, have studied Cinematography. I am 31 years old and currently working in Ethiopia and New York?

Shebapost: How did you get the opportunity to work on this project about Tikur Sew?

Tamirat: When I was in New York, Teddy Afro had a show while touring for concert. His Former distributor called and told me that Teddy wanted to do two music videos. One is Jano Band, which is a very talented, exciting coming up band. The second one was Teddy Afro. Teddy told me that that the 'Tikur sew' song was about Minilik. He also told me that they had a big budget for making the video. When I went to Addis Abeba, his former distributor introduced me to Addis Gessese, Teddy’s former manager and Teddy Afro himself. I listened to seven tracks of the Album and I chose Tikur sew.

Shebapost: How long did it take to complete this video?

Tamirat: I had a contract to deliver the video in 15 days. But I told them that it wasn't possible to do deliver in the time frame propose. My partner Tesfaye Wondmagegn (Production designer for Tikure sew) Insisted on taking project. He convinced me that once Teddy's people see the rough cut, they will say it’s ok. But the contract specifically stated that if wasn't able to deliver deliver the within the specified time when the album is released, they don’t need the video and I had return my advance payment.

Shebapost: Did you return it?

Tamirat: ”Smiles” No, after they saw the rough cut they were very happy and gave us time to finish. It took seventy five days to complete.

Shebapost: Are all the characters we see on the video real?

Tamirat: Yes, We had 15 days for pre-production for just collecting the costumes, casting, and rehearsing. We used total of 420 people, both as extra and main actors. But almost 700 people showed up for audition. We didn’t use any old footage. Instead, everything was created from the scratch. Everything was original! The only Adwa footage we had is that of gash Abate Mekuria, a well talented director who had Adwa kind of street theatre. We grew up seeing that footage and it seemed real for us.

Shebapost: How was your experience within those 75 days? Emotionally, physically, all that kind of attachment within that short period of time?

Tamirat: Physically it was intense. We were tired. We work 75 days, 17 to 18 hours a day. Every day! Emotionally it was nice to see it develop.  After we edited the rough cut we invited people and to see their what they think of. Their reaction was beautiful. Some people were even crying.

Shebapost: Were you producing this in front of an audience?

Tamirat: We invited some people for a sneak preview, they cried, they admired us and blessed us. It was very emotional.

Shebapost: What other future projects are you working on?

Tamirat: we have a production company called sabisa films. We want to work more on social issues which deal with any problem we have as Ethiopians or any good things we have as Ethiopians. At this time we have one project, which is almost finished. The script is also almost finished and hopefully we will be able to start shooting the footage at the end of September. It’s called love paradise. The story is kind of a shemendefer, a Christian love story. As for music videos we plan to shoot Jano Music video.

Shebapost: What was it like working working with Teddy afro?

Tamirat: It was really nice working with him. He’s a very rich person in knowledge and culture. While working on the music video he was a demanding person, but it was nice to work with him. He’s funny, we loved working together.

Shebapost: What do you want to say about the style the Ethiopian video compared to other videos?

Tamirat: Tikur Sew is different for me. It’s not only a music video it’s just getting the film for the video. In terms of doing Tikur sew we wanted to pass a message and tell history. Therefore if we used western style videos. The audience would be on and off with the story and it couldn’t remain constant. From the beginning to the end you have to finish a story, if you were to come in the middle it wouldn’t be as strong as it is.

Shebapost:On behalf of shebapost we would like to thank you so much for your time.

Tamirat: Thank you.