Fly Guy

Aleks Kamau

Videographer

Birthday August 27

You started off as an actor before going behind the camera...

Yes, I started amateur acting in 1997 and have done more than 6,000 live performances. I was chosen as East African representative for the World Summit in 2002 in South Africa where we did a play, Guardians of the Deep. As an actor, I have done plays with Mbalamwezi and Phoenix Players.

How was the transition from acting to production?

It was easy since I had done a lot of stage management and directing before. I directed my first play in Phoenix, then did a production course with Medeva and produced, directed for Tazama Season 2. It was a great moment. I even won the Most Upcoming Director Award for a story I did. I am currently working at Big Ideas Entertainment Partners with Willie Owusu, who won best short film 2007 at Oberhausen and Angelo Kinyua, 2006 CNN Journalist of the Year winner.

What are some of the shows you have worked on?

I have been involved with Mnet’s Changes Season 1 as an editor, Tusker Project Fame Season two, three, four, All Stars and currently working on TPF 5 as a content director. I have also been involved with Be The Judge and MTV DJ Search as an editor. Basically, I either direct or edit. I have been lucky to work on various TV shows and films.

What are some of the challenges you face?

Challenges are mostly in the policies governing the industry. Why can we not earn a living from acting? If only local content could be taken seriously...

With such a busy schedule, how do you unwind?

I like being busy because and I love what I do. I do not drink or smoke. I am a founder member of Scad, an organisation that advocates for soberness, especially among the youth.

You participated in the Mr University contest in 2001?

I was a student at The University of Nairobi at the time and there was no representative from there. I even registered on the actual day of the event just for fun. I bagged the 1st runners up prize and found myself on the front page of the newspaper the following day.

Are you dating?

Yes I am.