With a genius mind like mine, who can compete with me?- One on one with 'Changing Times' director

By Shirley Genga | 8yrs ago | 4 min read

Your latest television series New Beginnings that airs on KTN is the talk of town. Everyone is talking about it!

Oh yeah...It is unbelievable! New Beginnings is my biggest project so far. The series revolves around Julia, Derek and his best friend Sean. It is a love triangle. Sean wakes up from a five-year coma. He finds that although Julia still loves him, she is now married to Derek his best friend. Sean then meets Natasha, his nurse and falls in love; the series now builds from there.

The show is Pan African and of international quality. It airs on Ebony Life Nigeria and KTN (Fridays 7:30pm). Everything from the acting to the directing and editing, to the scripting, is really magical.

Take us through your journey

I have been in the production business for eight years since my debut with Changing Times. We are now masters of our craft.

Tell us about your production company and the exciting projects you are currently involved in?

Insignia production began in 2008 when I was about 22. My former partner Jennifer Gatero and I wanted to change the industry with creative and good quality local shows. Aside from a few documentary and short film jobs, we produced Changing Times. The series was an instant hit and made young people to start watching local television series. It was such a success that we ended up winning a Kalasha Award four months after being aired.

Oh really...? What was the secret?

Not to sound cocky, but Jennifer Gatero and I were the first to create TV superstars. Before we came into the picture, actors were just performers on TV. But we introduced swag — type-casting and hotness on TV. It was amazing how we put it together. Some of the actors on the show were Joey Muthengi, Ian Mugoya, Joy Kendi, Gera Rocker, Nice Githinji and many more.

We then did Mheshimiwa, Prem, Comedy Club, MNET AMOF movies, and TV movies which are for the American and UK market but we are hoping they will air on local TV here.

We have also produced quite a number of commercials and documentary films. Now more than ever, we are changing the game across Africa.

Achieving a big break in the Kenyan TV production industry is a herculean task. How did you manage?

We were lucky to be a talented team, so when we produced our shows, we were well received. It is really not about luck, but a higher power and talent. I would say God put it together.

What exactly do you do while on set?

I am a director, colourist and director of photography. For some projects, Grace Gahaki whom I work closely with directs.

Other days, I am the director. But what I enjoy most is colouring. When I colour a film or series, it’s always magical. The colours bring to life the piece I am working on. If you watch New Beginnings, that’s a new colour science that I explored with.

What do you think makes your production company stand out?

We have the best work in the African market. Simple. This is accredited to eight years of being in the industry and breaking our backs every single day. Lots of sleepless nights too!

Lowest career moment?

Having a TV show cancelled. It is the worst thing that can happen to a producer. This is more so, if the content is doing well but doesn’t seem to resonate with the TV heads. This is how it works; if the TV head is home watching with his/her family and one of the family members says, I don’t like that show, be sure to get an email. It has happened to us.

Away from work how do you relax?

I am generally a workaholic. I barely have time now to unwind. But when I have time, I watch a movie or hang out with the people close to my life.

Any hidden talents?

I am the classical guitarist and music producer though it’s been a while since I fooled around on my music creating software.

How was your childhood?

We are four siblings. Two are in the country, while the rest live abroad. I was a naughty child, hot tempered and angry. I think the 8-4-4 school system made me this way. Imagine being called stupid in school, being beaten up by teachers. I’m from a wealthy background and then later had a taste of the hard life. I grew up in Pangani, then moved to Kilimani. Then moved to Rongai. You know all the jokes about Rongai, I must have been the poster child because moving there was very difficult on me. But that’s what shaped my life. I learnt how to appreciate life and make the most with very little.

Greatest life lesson?

Money does not faze me. My dad who I loved so dearly taught me to take failure not as disappointment but a lesson.