By HANS
Life at the Coast is interesting. The local entertainment industry has numerous creative people, proof of which was at a recent film production training in Mombasa for budding film talents in Malindi.
With the participation of sponsors, hoteliers and friends, it was possible to offer the training at no cost for the 30 participants.
The writer with guests at Tembo Disco. [PHOTO: courtesy]
Peter Johnson of Media Agency for Information and Development Advocacy Network (Maidan) sponsored a group of professionals from Nairobi.
Derrick Assetto, a model, actor, stuntman and casting director spoke about the challenges and the hard work needed to survive in the film industry.
Margaret Muthoka, another speaker, gave an excellent motivational talk that encouraged interaction of all present.
Tecla of the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) explained to the group the importance of good scriptwriting and how to draw up a budget for a movie. John Kamau gave a lecture on finances stressing that without money, it was not possible to film.
The last afternoon at the training was the most exciting. Participants were divided into two groups and their task was to write a script, cast each other for the roles, look for a location at the hotel grounds, rehearse and shoot their story with three camcorders.
The whole exercise turned out to be a great success and the result was two short films.
After two days of intensive schooling, we decided it was time to relax. After enjoying delicious pilau prepared by friends, we went to Tembo Disco for the Nzumari Awards where we were welcomed by pretty hostesses dressed in short red silk skirts. Hundreds of revellers attended the event.
By the end of the award ceremony, Tanzanian artistes had scooped majority of the awards demonstrating the popularity of their music over that produced by Kenyan musicians.
It was an enjoyable night and I hope the Coast Music Awards, which I hear are coming soon, will be bigger and better.