From a church in Debre Zeyit to international film festivals and DSTV — a career built entirely through self-teaching, relentless curiosity, and an absolute refusal to compromise on quality.
Paulos began his professional career as Editor and Head of Production at Solnet Studio, then being established by Captain Solomon Gizaw alongside Christian Girma. Here he produced Ethiopia's first computer-arranged commercial cassette — his own instrumental album, released in 1990 E.C. He also contributed arrangements to the landmark Shibsheba Choirs collaborative project featuring Lily's "Kibir Bicha".
Before and alongside his Solnet years, Paulos worked at CMM Studio (Christian Multimedia), where Yacob Regassa had built the entire technical infrastructure. At CMM, for the first time in Ethiopia, live vocals were digitally recorded into a computer. Paulos, Yacob, and Christian also produced the first Red Book–compliant audio CD from an Ethiopian studio — a technical achievement that changed how music was distributed nationally.
Recognized for his exceptional skills in music, editing, and jingle production, Paulos joined Cactus PLC as Production Manager — leading production and post-production for one of Ethiopia's most prominent advertising agencies. He created campaigns for major national and international brands including Coca-Cola, whose international advertising work had previously been outsourced to Kenya before Paulos took it on.
Between Cactus and founding Resonance, Paulos served as Director at Escape Studio — providing creative leadership for film and media projects during a period when he was deepening his command of digital filmmaking tools. It was during this era that his reputation as a go-to technical authority for other filmmakers — someone who could solve any export, workflow, or hardware problem — became firmly established in the industry.
Paulos founded Resonance Film Production in 2006, establishing an independent studio that produced feature films, documentaries, and broadcast content of international quality. Over 20 years, Resonance delivered work for national broadcasters, international NGOs, and African regional clients — receiving African regional production contracts that had previously gone to foreign companies. The studio mentored an entire generation of Ethiopian filmmakers and cinematographers.
Directed and edited the feature film Ashenge, depicting Ethiopia's resistance during the Second Italian Invasion of 1936. The film featured numerous prominent Ethiopian and Italian actors and received widespread acclaim at international film festivals. Paulos and brother Yacob even invented a custom machine for specific production needs on this film. Even after completion, Paulos had drafted extensive scripts for follow-up historical epics — plans that remained on his laptop at his passing.
Paulos introduced DaVinci Resolve, Nuke, and Cubase to Ethiopian production studios years before they became industry standards. He was the first to import and operate a Hollywood-grade camera in Ethiopia (~2021–2022). He helped build the technical infrastructure for the Mekane Yesus Television station and trained professionals when Walta TV launched. College-level film professors came to Resonance to learn from him directly.
Produced and arranged gospel music for Kalkidan Tilahun (Lily), Endalkachew Hawaz (Enawa) — including full debut album "Maderiyah Be Mesgana Yemola" — Bethlehem Tezera (Betty), Getayawkal Girmay, and Meheretab Gebrehawariat, elevating Ethiopian Christian music. He also accomplished the first multitrack live-stage recording in Ethiopia at the Bible Army Church in 2004.
Over 28 years, Paulos directed more than 100 commercial advertisements for clients including Nyala Insurance ("It is 30 for a reason"), Coca-Cola (international campaign, previously made in Kenya), Awash Bank, Wegagen Bank, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Ayat Real Estate, BGI Ethiopia (St. George Beer), Bishangari Water, and Bloomberg Philanthropies (traffic safety and public health campaigns). He never charged more than he thought fair.
"He was never stingy with his knowledge; he shared his software and skills for free." — Endalkachew Hawaz
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