Continuation of the BEBA BEBA critique done by BERYL OYWER 08-1493
CRITIQUE 7
SEASON 2: EPISODE 9
The theme of this episode was large scale business. Mr. Tembo decides that its high time his business became large scale. This is impossible because it is a matatu business and they do not operate in large scale the best that can happen is if they made the matatu operate for 24hours which will also not be practical. So his wife Mrs. Tembo tells him sarcastically that he should go and extend his matatu so that it can carry many people. Surprisingly he thinks that it is a good idea and is off to the garage which is very funny.
The introduction music or start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
The episode starts of with a two shot of Mr. and Mrs. Tembo conversing inside the house. The key light used is quite bright creating a lot of shadows and although it’s supposed to be bright for comedy it makes the actors look dark because of the shadows formed in their faces. The microphones used are Omni-directional as the actors are in opposite side of the room and still their voices can be captured pretty well. The use of close-up shot when showing Mrs. Tembo reaction to her husband’s idea of expanding the business. Use of a dolly out to change the orientation of the subject that is Mrs. Tembo but maintain a continuity in action.
There is also use of monologue when Mr. Tembo is walking towards the garage and he is talking to himself how the car would fetch a lot of money which is quite hilarious.





CRITIQUE 8
SEASON2: EPISODE 11
The theme of this episode is the different interpretations of the proposed Kenyan constitution. Generali gets a copy of the constitution and since he doesn’t understand the terms used he goes to Jobo (who is now in college) to explain to him the clauses and help him in the interpretation. Jobo who also does not have a clue wrongly interprets the constitution. This further confuses Generali. Luckily Angel understands it and rightfully explains to him what it’s about. Since it’s a very long document she has to zero in on the most important clauses or the ones that are causing the most controversy that is the Abortion clause and the ‘Kadhis’ courts. This episode shows how many Kenyans do not understand the proposed constitution and also how they have mis-interpreted it. The government should therefore change the complexity of the document to a more common ‘mwananchi’ friendly.
The introduction music or start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
The scene starts with Generali picking the document from the street vendors who had attached it to the newspapers. Since the scene is shot outside the main source of light is the sun so the plan was to use incident light. The time is approximately noon because of the short shadows. The lighting is perfect for a comedy effect. The use of trucking shots as Generali moves towards the Tembo’s residence. Inside the house there is illumination to bring out the brightness of comedy. The use of a medium shot when the three of them were in the room and then when Jobo starts talking there is use of a zoom in to centre squarely on him. Also to show his facial expressions as he talks which add up to his character as a joker because of the expressions he makes. The camera puns from left to right to show the different actors. The microphones used are Omni- directional as the actors are positioned in different places in the same room. The microphones used are also dynamic as there is no need for a power source.



CRITIQUE 9
SEASON 2: EPISODE 12
The theme of the episode was traditional food and how the ‘dotcom’ generation is neglecting their culture. Mrs. Tembo hasn’t eaten traditional food for a long time and decided to change her westernized menu to incorporate the traditional cultural food made of milk added vegetables (mrenda) and so on. Jobo comes home from college and eager to eat meatballs only to find ‘kienyeji mboga’. He doesn’t understand why his mum is forcing him to eat vegetables that according to him look rotten. Angel walks in to also find a rude shock and declares that she is on a diet the minute she saw the food. Surprisingly Mr. Tembo is quite astonished and eats even the children’s share. This highlights the western culture influence in our lives that we can even reject our own culture. As Kenyans we are gradually losing our identity and our culture is becoming obsolete.
The introduction music or start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
Throughout the whole episode there is a comical music used to create a funny mood. Since the first scene is in the kitchen the camera shot is an extreme close-up shot of the food being prepared. There is also use of a monologue as Mrs. Tembo is talking about how it is a high time that she changed her home diet. Then there is a medium shot of her and the kitchens background is visible. Then immediately Jobo walks in the Camera zooms in on him to show his facial expression of surprise bringing out the emotion. Then the camera pans to the left where the food is being prepared when he is saying that he will not eat it and back to his face to show his disgust. When Angel walks in it moves to a wide shot and all of them can be viewed. There is an extreme close-up shot of her to show her shock and bask to a medium shot when she is dialoguing with her mother and a trucking shot as she walks away from the kitchen until we reach her bedroom. This creates a continuous flow of action it’s like the viewer is waling with the actor.
The microphone type used is a dynamic Omni-directional one. It picks sound from all sides of the room. When Mr. Tembo walks in the house there is a medium shot and a close-up of his face as he is excited to see the food on the table a pan to the right towards the dinner table to show his source of excitement. The episode is acted entirely in the house with the use of an outward source of light.
The shortcoming of this episode is that it leaves the audience in suspense mainly because of the timing allocation which limits the enhancement of the theme properly.

CRITIQUE 10
SEASON 2: EPISODE 13
The two themes of this episode are betrayal and infidelity. Banda betrays Vokezz by dating his ex (former girlfriend). It had been just a week since that girl left Banda and he was still recovering from the worst heartbreak of his life. Vokezz had promised him that he will have nothing to do with that girl as she was trying to make advances at him. But he was secretly seeing her. This ruins their friendship and Banda gives vokezz the silent treatment.
Meanwhile, Majengo is convinced that his wife of thirteen years is having an affair with the cobbler that works down the street. This is quite hilarious a he wants Jobo to do for him the investigations. Jobo confirms his suspicion and Majengo wants a good lawyer so that he can get 5o% of his wife’s possessions and not the other way round making it quite hilarious. This episode teaches us that trust is a very key thing in friendships and to add to that a marriage that has taken more than ten years to build can easily come to shatters because of one partner’s infidelity.
The introduction music or start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
The episode starts with Banda and Vokezz arguing outside near the matatu. The scene is outside and the main source of lighting is the sun used as the key light. The scene is acted at noon due to the presence of the short shadows. The cameras automatic gain control is used to adjust the amount of light allowed entering the camera because at noon the sun is overhead and since there are fewer clouds the picture quality may be distorted by too much light.
The camera shot is a two shot showing Banda and Vokeez arguing then it moves to a wide shot to show the full image of the matatu. Then it moves to a close-up showing Banda’s face and the viewer can see and feel his anger. Then there is a left pun to show Vokeez and his expression of guilt. There is a lot of noise due to the harsh winds which distort the quality of the sound because the microphone used is an Omni-directional and it picks sound waves from all directions. The microphone is also dynamic because it doesn’t need a power source therefore it can be carried around.
The next scene is Majengo Outside his maize business and he is deep in thought the camera zooms in to his eyes and shows how stressed he is. Then there is a full shot of his entire face which fills the screen showing his miserable face which creates a gloomy mood. Since it is acted outside the main source of light is the sun. There is an extreme wide shot of Jobo as he walks towards Majengo to show that he is coming from a long distance and the use of a zoom in as he comes closer. A two shot of them talking which changes to a shoulder shot because they are standing opposite each other such that we can see Majengo talking in front of Jobo who’s turned his back to the camera.
Summary
The programme is popular among the youth because of the use of sheng which attracts a younger audience or the youth. The story line is also key as many people can relate to it. In addition it also has entertainment and educational value. Furthermore, it tries to promote our local cultural values.




How I would change the programme
First of all the matatu should have passengers. During the whole ten episodes not once do we see passengers in the matatu. In order to create the element of realism it would be advisable fro the script writer to include that in the plan for their next season.
Secondly, the locations used. Again throughout the whole season there are only two locations used. This has made the scenes predictable and to some extent boring. In order to make the programme volatile they should consider adding more shoot areas. They can do this by showing the matatu in the CBD (central business district) and the hustles and bustles of everyday city life which allows the audience to identify with the programme more.
To add to that, the transisitions from one scene to the other are sketchy. They are not interlinked and they really confuse someone as one wonders why we are abruptly moving from one scene to another. The script writer again should try and work with a theme that is consistent and is able to link the matatu area and the house creating a flow.
Also the lighting used inside the house should be changed. The lighting director should change his lighting plan as the key lights illumination is quite a lot causing a long shadow which is not entirely diffused by the fill and the back light making the actors look quite dark. The lighting director should therefore check the contrast ratio and make sure its the recommended 20:1 for quality production.
Last but not least the people handling the microphones should look for the boom microphones which are padded and reduce the noise made when handling and are easy to carry around. Also they should use unidirectional microphones to avoid the noises picked up on the side distorting the quality of the sound.