majimaji wrote:
@ J Hill, how was it at Paramount? I wish we could get more quality local content on our TV's. The Nigerians seem to get it even though some of their productions are low quality. Where does Kenya not get it?
Paramount was quite interesting, but was still pretty much like any other corporate job, except there were a LOT of gays and a LOT of drugs. Once you get into the daily routine of work, it's not at all exciting to work in Television. It's a lot of hard work, on strict budgets and tight deadlines, with many egomaniacal personalities.
Work environment aside, the production quality at PAR Domestic Television was very high. Even though the writing was sometimes pedestrian, the quality of the production was always top-notch.
Nigeria has done well with drama. They have armed themselves with cameras, lights, and the willingness to understand that it is a volume game- keep making movies until they catch on. Some will, some wont, but keep making them. And it works. Still, the production quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the area of cinematography. The lighting, lens choice, etc is usually a bit off even in the best of Nollywood productions. I guess I should just be happy that they have finally stopped using standard-def interlaced 30FPS video and analog editing. *sigh*
As far as Kenya is concerned, first, you have to understand that TV and motion picture are fickle as far as whether or not they make money. It's easy to spend millions of dollars and have a poor show that advertisers hate. And there you are. That's why it's not usually a good investment for private companies to make, when there are less risky, more lucrative options. But, it's necessary to have a thriving media industry for propaganda, jobs, national pride, and simply to project "Brand Kenya". And lets not forget the artistic and cultural value. So, here are the steps for Kenya to build Mwailywood:
1. There are Kenyan students in the diaspora in the USA. A small number of them are dropouts, for whatever reason, and need a job, but had very high KCSE scores- smart kids that lost their way. Find a few of them, and get them a cheap apartment in Los Angeles and send them to UCLA film school. Send someone older from Kenya to keep an eye on them. When they are finished, bring them back to Kenya. Use force if you have to. This is your production team.
-or-
Bring over consultants from Los Angeles for a year.
2. Get some land. Build a backlot. It will need large godowns/warehouses (start with eight) with tall ceilings, catwalks, good, clean, plentiful power (or generators). Then build a "fake city" with roads, houses, 3-story fake high rise buildings... just the front of the buildings are needed. Once again, lots of clean stima will be needed, so plan for several transformers and maybe even its own substation.
3. Build a computer lab/editing bay, along with a camera and lighting rental depot. Contact me if you need a good, affordable equipment list. A dozen Macbook Pros with 24" monitors, and the equipment I listed above will do the trick. Canon D5s with an assortment of Zeiss lenses. KinoFlo lights. Reflectors. Flags, Floppies, Fingers, Cookies, stands and rigging, tripods, jibs... it will be a couple containers of stuff, and will run at least 40 mitas. As for audio, I know that there is audio talent in Kenya- Ogopa DJs releases good quality albums, and their equipment is rather limited... THAT is talent.
4. Hire Lupita Oyongo as the studio exec.
5. Google or call me for any questions.
The biggest thing to focus on is cinematography, lighting and lens choices being the most important. Secondly, audio. Third, actors... and only third because there is acting talent already there... you can vet them in theatrical productions. Everything else you can Google or pay close attention to good productions, and mimic with practice.
This, of course, isn't nearly a complete rundown on how, operationally, a world-class Television and Motion Picture Studio can be built and operated. My intention was just to spark some ideas in your head if you or someone you know is truly interested in doing this.
Cheers,
Hill