The Making Of Baba Matata Film
By East Fun Zone Creatives Youth Group From Machakos
Joshua N Stephen AKA Alkamania Darlington (Right) with members of East Fun Zone Creatives Youth Group
We sat down with Alkamania Darlington to know more about East Fun Zone as per the interview below:
- What makes a good film according to you?
Plot and dialogue is what makes a good film. Below are the key elements:
- (I) Script
- (II) Character
- (III) Acting
- (IV) Timing
- (V) Sound
- (VI) Visuals
2. How do you brainstorm for filming ideas?
Four steps for brainstorming …;
(I) Location – anyplace, anything, and start asking questions about it. See what emotions or conflict pop-up around this location.
(II) Think about your experiences – how do these circumstances affect your character?
(III) Look in the News – grab a couple of headlines and play the “what if” game.
(IV) Base a story on a character – chat with someone you don’t know too well to find it out about them(research)
3. What’s the biggest setback for your group?
Funds.
Though at some point, “you build on failure and use it as a stepping stone.
4. How many members do you have?
I have around 100 members thus this can grow even to a bigger number since some of our projects require a big cast.
5. Who creates storyboards for your video content?
Since I direct almost all our projects, after sharing the script with the entire crew. I hand draw it then share it with the graphics designer who brings the vision to graphic reality.
6. What would you say about the film industry in Kenya?
As much as we have a lot of great content that should be considered, intensive training workshops are needed to mention, Machakos county through the county boss Hon. Alfred Mutua and the Machawood C.E.O Victor Muniafu. They've launched workshops which are followed by Masterclasses training programs and the annual Film fest (MachakosFest) which has been happening for the last five years. It’s through this that most filmmakers learn great deals and get inspiration from mentors such as Kenya Film Classification (KFC), Envivo from Nigeria, and more other international film organs.
“These programs are quite beneficial thus an eye-opener for us in the Kenyan Film industry – I hope they’re taught in all our counties “
7. How does your group impact the youth?
We guide them on USE OF CREATIVITY: photography, art, and crafts, dance, modeling, theatre, sports, street art, sketching, curving, among others. Almost anything can be turned into an activist project.
Our key question remains… “What are you good at?” Then translate it into civic activism.
8. Working with a group is never easy. How do you manage yours?
Being a leader takes courage – something that everyone has. You need to understand your people, know their likes and dislikes, respect their opinion because each opinion counts. It’s not easy but through the power of prayer, I found myself in a position whereby I can see something good in everyone’s opinion.
9. What’s your biggest motivation?
You have to find a goal in your life and keep your self-confidence thus always do the best you know until you know better. Once you know better, do better.
10. What’s the best way to eradicate domestic violence?
It's by introducing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Alternative Justice System (AJS) mediation classes to our people.
11. Who’s your role model and why?
That should be my Dad…
His courage and motives have made me who I am. He has this one forever phrase – “You’re what you think you are . . .” And yes, this drives me.
12. Who’s your favorite actor worldwide?
I have so many actors and filmmakers with whom I admire not to mention names but the silent voice inside me tells me that I’m worth that best Actor.
13. What would be your best advice for the youth?
Failure is not fatal, success it’s not final. It’s the courage to continue positive that counts. Let them learn to always focus on what’s important