 Hashtag entrepreneurship Tuesday. Nwa in the morning, the montage that you just seen there, wow, wow, wow, wow. That's the reason why we are here to have this discussion on matters between film business. That montage there, graphics on point. And I guess this video will be telling us more about how long it took to come up with such a montage. And most definitely the editing tools that she used, say more about him and the film business. Kevin Jogona is a creative with six years experience in photography, videography and production. In fact, actually he considers himself as the creation master. Producer Kev, welcome to Interpretation Tuesday. Thank you, thank you Michelle for the host. Why do you consider yourself as the creation master? Of course I am. I like the answer. I like the answer and I like the way this interview is going to just stand out. First, I'm not used to being in front of the lens. I'm used to being behind. You're consistently saying that. But I thank you, thank you for the host. That was just a simple montage. I took just one and a half hours to make it for you guys. I just like how you're composed, telling us the time frame that you just did. It was a simple graph. Yes, yeah, a simple one. So if you give me extra hours, we'll just blow us up. Yeah, a hot one. Okay, we'll just be humble and wait to see what your producer Kev has in store for us. So, who's Kevin Jogona? Before we even look at the kind of work that you do, give us a brief description of who producer Kev is. Okay, producer Kev, that's just a nickname. My name is Kelvin Jogona. I am a producer who helps from Nyandaro County, a place called Olgioro constituency in a village called Nyayroko. I was born in a place called Shemata. So I grew up as a passionate young man in filming and production. And so far so good, I can't regret. Okay, so far so good. Where did it all start, the love of film? When did you discover your passion for this? The love of film started in 2005. I was in primary school by then. I was so passionate about music. So I started, okay, first of all, my dad is an artist. Okay. So there was something that happened. He came all the way to Nairobi and left us in the village. You know, he was in person. So he came to Nairobi and shot a music film, video that is, and came back to the village. I couldn't relate how am I seated next to my dad. And I'm seeing him on the screen. How does this happen? So I started being passionate and then I started as a pianist by then. When I was in primary school, all the way to high school. In high school I was in the drama club and the music club. So the passion went up, end up, end up. Until when I was, something happened. When I entered the campus level, I entered the campus to learn as an information technologist. I sit here. And then on the first week I realized I'm in the wrong career, the first week. In the first week? Yeah. Okay, before even go further on matters pertaining film, what made you feel so confident enough to be sure that this is not my place? This is not it? Because I used to love how media station worked. And our ICT class was adjacent to the media class in campus. So during break time, I was not in the ICT room. I was in the media room. You were kidding me? Yeah, for real. And actually, I decided to shift. Despite I learned ICT all the way to the end, but immediately after I finished, I don't know even where my people are. Wow. Story for so many young people out here. I extremely don't know. Took part in a different studies and we were actually practicing something else. So here you were, you've done ICT. Now, to the film industry, how did you learn matters pertaining film production and where did you learn all through? Immediately after graduating from ICT, I entered into the filming classes and that's when my life turned around because we used to go to classes, but I used to teach them. That was the funny bit. This is interesting. Yeah, because I used to learn ahead of what we are learning. And actually even today, even the montage that you saw, I've never, for that I've never entered into a class. Passion and interest. Yeah, because for the filming, I learned about the shots of the cameras and the search, the lenses, the different views and focusing, but matters pertaining to graphics and TV production. I'm on my own. Okay. So let's look at how much you got to learn from the internet. So for you, it was all YouTube, right? So for someone who is interested in the film industry and they feel like CJ and Ashule and maybe they are looking at it as kumekwa limited. Tawambia ni ni? Passion. If you don't have passion, if you are not passionate about it, leave it. Okay. How do you get updated on the new trends when it comes to the film production? First of all, I have a very good friend. We have never met, but I have a very good tutor, an online tutor whom we engage one on one. Maybe I need a certain graphical experience, a certain graphical touch. I'm not so sure on how to go about it. And I'm misreinstructed. Okay. And when I'm shown something, when I'm shown how to do it, I go ahead and do better than what I'm taught. Okay. Because again, we go back to passion and edit. I don't think you mentioned. We have never met your tutor. So how did you guys connect? And maybe you can give us just a brief on how people met, probably if it's someone who is watching this. We would like to have the same experience. Michelle, it starts from passion. When you are passionate about something, I believe God opens an imaginable dose for each and every one of us. Because I was just stranded online and I went to the YouTube and okay, subscribed to a certain channel and then got a link to the email of the owner. And that's how my life changed because I told him I'm passionate about something and I need to achieve something. And he was there. And here I am. That's the story. Okay. So you have six years experience in film business, right? Four years, we were talking earlier before this interview, you were employed. Where were you employed? What were you doing before you went on to the world to start something of your own? Okay. I have worked with several media companies. First I started with a company that was called Drip Media and then went to digital media and then went to a certain company that was called Discovery World Art Skills. That was when we came back to that film. And then I was in a company called Rescom Logistics. And big up to that guy, he has really helped me to achieve what I have achieved today. Why? Because when someone believes in you, you believe in yourself, but when you get someone who believes in you, your life will have a turn. I went there as a producer, as a wedding photographer and my skills grew. He kept on encouraging me. Even when I was learning online, you can still do better. Okay. When you are still in employment, you have mentioned a couple of media houses that you have got to work with. It also speaks volume on the amount of experience that you have gathered along the way. And then you have our generation, the young people who want to get into this industry or any other industry and they want to hear it real quick, real big. So what exactly would be your advice for someone who wants to get into the film industry with the thoughts that I'm going to bring out the best program in your next TV station, if it's online production, I'm going to hear it big, I'm going to get the money real quick. First, production is not all about money because you do your best and money follows. And that's what I did. If you look at the aspect of money first, you will go wrong because at first you'll be disappointed. I was really disappointed at first. Extremely, not really extremely disappointed. What was the experience like? What happened? Too much work, no money. And by then I had a big name, no money. To an extent, I could meet my friends and they could say, Eh, Mr. Producer, we saw your work online, we saw your work on TV. No lunch bana, you have nothing. Because by then I was passionate but I was still looking for money. Still looking for money. But I had a wrong direction. Because at the end of it all, it's business. And actually looking at a couple of your projects, this is by Producer Kev, whatever you're seeing on your screen right now, that was a wedding. This was a wedding. What I did, I'm so passionate about TV graphics. And you can see these are motion graphics, these are television graphics. So I try and combine my knowledge in production. And then I reciprocate the same into my weddings. And if you look at this, it's not just a normal wedding. It is graphical. Very true, very true. So I feel great and thank you. I love the graphics. I love the floral effects. Nice work, Producer Kev. Yeah, thank you. All right, going back to what you had mentioned earlier on, on matters pertaining experience and for young people. There's this conversation that was going on, I believe earlier this month about artists being paid through exposure. And I would just like to hear your point of view because at the end of it all, film is still a creative industry. What is your thought on artists being paid on exposure? I think the first thing the government should put a clear way out on who gets what and what suits who. Let me just give you a little bit of the background to the story. So there's this one restaurant within Nairobi that was offering a platform for artists so that they can actually showcase their art in the restaurants considering that they have a couple of branches within the country. So it's an opportunity for them to expose their work and that's how they probably get jobs and everything else. So I just wanted to get your question area. That's a great idea because once you are exposed in various ways because for me I have built my career due to exposure. Otherwise I could be having a lot of experience in my head and I could be having a lot of creativity. But without the experience, without someone believing in you, without someone holding your hands and taking you places, then I can go for that. If you are passionate about something and on the other hand if you are able to hold someone's hand, please do. And with that you help helping a family somewhere. That's true. Very true. Now let's get to Kav films and creation. Four years of employment and now you've decided to go on your own to start something of your own. Tell me about the first year and how was it? Okay. I once settled and felt that I need to go my way and that's when my life overturned to the best. Because when you are under someone and I really thank those who might have worked under. But when you are under someone, you are somehow limited. You have to do your best. But at the end of it, you cannot really manage what you have done fully 100%. So I started in 2018 when decided I need to go my own way. And I started, okay, the journey was tough by then. The journey was not that smooth because trying to convince people that you are the best. To break through into the market. Yeah, to bring your idea into the market. Plus, there is no way that people are used to doing the events, the weddings, the ceremonies. I sat down and thought I can do something different. Guys trying to understand what are you really doing that was a challenge. And how did you cope with that if you continue? I persisted and I tried to show them the essence. Once I approached some of the works that I have done, I started seeing a good response from other potential clients who later became real clients. Those who are seeing some of the work. Okay, so starting off, what are the tools of work that you had and how did you raise your capital for starting off? Because it's always a challenge when you go out here. I never saw that coming, but by then I just had a very simple camera. By then, I bought a food for me. But later on I decided this thing is really working. Why not invest? I really saved. I know you are in the media industry. So you know our equipment are really expensive. Expensive, yes. So I saved for at least one year. That's when I decided I have some amount. Let me go and achieve some of my lenses, some of my gadgets. And right along I decided I want to move into the television graphics. So I decided I have to invest in a good computer, in a good gadget. That's how I made it. Okay, I know you mentioned about your first clients and how you persisted just to push an idea of your own. But I would like to find out for someone who is watching, for the sake of the person who is watching. Okay, so who is looking at you right now and wondering how did you get your first clients? And how currently are you marketing your business also? Okay, first I was so royal to my previous company. So royal. And even the manager by then can attest. So I used to market the company vigorously. And as I marketed the company, my name still came up. So after I decided that I can go my own, I never struggled that much. Apart from the convincing bit, I never struggled that much. Because already I had some confidence in my clients. You had created a name for yourself? Yes, and I had a name. So I went step by step. And within four months, let me tell you I had had an impact. Okay, I believe you. I believe you. So when you look at chem films and creation, you do a couple of a lot of things and also music production is one of them. Maybe you could tell us a kind of services that you offer apart from that. Produce kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa. Okay, first I'm the director. So I hold everything that the clients need. So I don't base my confidence on who I know, but at least I try to listen to my clients. I offer various aspects of services kufumb What is the niche? What's your niche in the market considering we have so many other film companies out here? What's your niche in the market? My main thing that has really kept me in the market and I can confidently say that, graphics because it may be a wedding, may be music I think your producer have some of my music that I have done they are graphical so with that I feel safe that makes the difference between what I do and what others do Considering the graphics they are actually required all rounded when it comes to film all rounded Speaking more about your work, you also done a couple of movies and you Let's look at when it comes to movie the kind of projects that you have done and probably can also mention achievements all rounded One of my main achievements that gave me confidence to work in this journey was a movie which we did around 2015 and it became the Karasha Awards winning You are saying it is very humble in the very ocean Ya, in 2015 the international award and thanks to the company that we worked with by then and thanks, I was part of the crew that was behind that the win of that award was a certain guy called Ferox and the director was called Dan Mutua so they believed in me by then I was a bit naive in the industry that's why I went growing in beats Ya Before we check out a couple of your projects or even one of your production it comes to music I would like to find out how did you get to Netwack with the corporate organization to actually make a name for yourself to later on working with the county government of Kembo but starting us off Netwacki on you getting projects in corporate organization how did you go about that Okay, that's a bit a long story because Give us a brief tips Ya, from the tips Ya, with tips There's a certain guy who works under the women rep office he's a very good friend Or I'm getting, you should make friends Netwack with people Ya, of course you have to Netwack So he kept on telling me my friend I started as an editor you see I used to shoot some clips in my phone by then kwa kabambe Ya, so he kept on telling me you are going places so later on he was promoted to the office and as he worked there I also grieve gradually in my industry so he later on told me that Ya, and I tried the project was called Kiburo talent search Ya, it was the Kenya road talent search Ya, and actually you guys Ya, it was AirDNW 254 and I was the man behind the graphics the animation the advert so it's just you doing your best and God makes others believe in you Alright what would be your advice for someone who is watching this particular conversation and they want to get into maybe music production maybe in graphics just imagine probably what would be your advice to that particular person considering you said that you started with whatever you had at that time Okay, my advice first is if you are passionate about it you don't have to have the gadgets for real at first you don't have to have the gadgets because maybe you can find a certain job and maybe you can hire out the first thing and the very important thing is passion and then hard work in what you do because I know you can never believe in me but let me tell you at times I spend sleepless nights at times I can spend 24 hours working working and learning working during the day learning during the night improving on your skills yes and especially I remember during this COVID this COVID era you know we were not that busy because businesses were shattered and nothing much was was working out I remember there was a time I spent two days sleepless learning new skills and those skills are some of those you saw here those skills are some of the ones that I made your montage with and we appreciate it thank you very much I just decided to make it for you and you brought out something very important during this time of COVID-19 but young people have too much time on their hands and also people were into the creative industry maybe in film and there's not much going on in theaters but just in the most it has COVID-19 has affected major industries within globally that is what is your thought on aspect of depression because you have young people who are going through depression at this time and you're speaking about you staying up two days improving on your skills how do you even get motivated to do that or what drives you to be up for two days to just do what you love and also looking at the aspect of depression when it comes to young people and things are not going as they want them to go during these uncertain times I get motivated by the fact that I know and I'm sure and I'm confident COVID-19 will not be here forever I know by the time these things will stabilize a bit even if not fully the industry will rise and if the industry will rise how will I be I need to be better because I know I know there is someone somewhere spending time to learn so by the time is stabilizing that means that the competition will be high so I need to secure my market and of which I'm so confident by now I have because within those three months what I had achieved by then and what I can do by now those are two different things what keeps you so grounded and disciplined the fact that I don't waste I hate wasting time I hate wasting resources and I like being focused in what I do and I surround myself with guys who teach me how to be better not how to be worse than I was before meeting them Is there money in film production? Good money Yes The fact that I mean the media industry I couldn't be where I am if there was no money but I came to realize that money comes after this spring and hard work because you can be having some amount of money but you waste so if you are saving to achieve something if you are saving to achieve a gadget and you waste the money if you are to spend one year how long will it take you it will take you more so I base my profession on hard work and hard work Is there a care film and creation of any employees? Ya Okay I am an independent company and they are certain I cannot achieve around there are some certain guys that I work with and those who believe in me so I have a couple of photographers I have a couple of videographers So you have created job opportunities for the guys So how are you guys keeping afloat during this hard economical times? When this thing started I was also somehow depressed because as a human this is how you plan you plan your life and I thank everyone who has been there for me and everyone who has comforted me that this thing will come to an end and at least nowadays things are opening out so I thank everyone who has stood there for me What are a couple of challenges that you guys face for approximately two years independently? The main challenge was gadgets because you have a wedding to shoot and it's on Friday and you have to hire it's tomorrow so you pick your phone and call the guy who hires you out and are your gadgets available? No so gadgets and you know by then I used to meet some clients who believe in you but they are not willing to pay Why? There are some stubborn guys they are out so you do your best you are there Right around that when I decided to come up with a good designed contract that I have to achieve this and you have to achieve this on your end You are going all the way professional all about this which is the best thing to do So what's the future looking like for the kev films and creations? First just pray that this thing corona thing because it has really affected our business because other than TV graphics and production my main income comes from events, photography and videography and now the government is here saying there is no events and those events are not there it's UA4 people should be there so those are some of the challenges but we all pray that it ends soon Okay get a vaccine and just meanwhile adapt to the new norm give us a social media handle so that we can keep talks with your projects and the guys can reach out to you from back home Facebook my Facebook page is producer kev visuals and my personal account is producer kev jugush and the other one is IG my Instagram page is producer kev and I can also give them my number maybe to link up more is at 0719 729 005 give us the number again 0719 729 005 I'm looking for you for outdoor photography sure, please do thank you for creating time to be with us for this again thank you I appreciate thank you for the host and shout out to everyone who trusted in me my family my mom and dad I know they are watching my family, my wife shout out to all of you thank you thank you very much you guys back at home remember is at Y254 channel at Michelle Ashira is where you can reach out to me and I'll be going for a short musical break and we'll be right back with another interview