If you have checked out the local dailies you will notice that Kenyan production houses have come a long way. In terms of advertising the presence of local directors and producers is increasingly being felt and recognised. Bob Nyanja, Alison Ngibuini, Josie Kamunyo, Linda Karuru, Martin and Isabel Munyua and a host of others have all made their mark.
Unfortunately though, the battle for production budgets has changed and now local producers have a new mountain to deal with. It's called Bollywood.
Tonnes of local commercials have found homes in studio suites across the Indian ocean. Coca-Cola mabao, Coke meals, Pilsner, Rik shoe polish, Nguvu Cement, Sunlight, Crown paints my style are amongst the list of many Kenyan commercials shot overseas.
The reason is quite simple. The industry in India is so big that they all undercut each other when quoting for jobs. This works as a great advantage for clients because they also get great quality. Another advantage is that they shoot, process and edit all in one location which works cheaper than flying in crews, especially when you are shooting film.
I actually see where the clients come from and the same for creative directors who are after getting more out of their production house. So what can we do?
Technological advancements to reduce processes might be our saviour, but to tell you the truth I am lost for words on this one, except for the fact that I know we are getting there. It would be good to know what strategies local producers have in mind to encounter this issue and their views are highly welcome.
So next time you put your feet up to watch tv, make the ad feel at home with a finger licking good Chicken Tikka.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
For me here i do believe the quality of production in India way surpasses kenya and it is in retrospect faster and cheaper to shoot ads in India. Imagine we fly the models their, house them, feed them, and shoot the commercial all in what 3, 4 days and fly back with the final thing. Edited and ready for flighting. Their crews are huge and cheap
ReplyDeleteIt all boils down to cost, manpower (labour) and even expertise with experience. Technology can't save us here. But hey. Thats just my opinion.
A film director or producer's role is to creatively translating a written script into an effective film, in this case a TV advert, that captures the imagination, mood and emotions of the intended target audience, read Kenyan not Indian.
ReplyDeleteSimply put, get an Indian music producer to do genge and still appeal to the Kenyan audience!!!! And have seen any exciting TVC lately? We’re wasting client’s chums on mediocre productions and the sooner cheap skate clients and agencies realize this, the better!
Is there hope for the Nyanja’s and Munyua’s of our godforsaken local film industry? I hope some agency or client with balls, like mine is reading your blog.
ll'le puppy ... bollywood my a$$!!!! But then again that's my opinion.
Tunyi in Kampala.
True dat. kwani what has the government been doing all this time? Cant Kenya be like Nigeria where income from Nollywood caters for 40% of the national budget. Its all about the gava streamlining these avenues and shooting film and commercials will be a better thing coz we have the locations and everything else. Alex Qfm
ReplyDeleteAs a creative, I'm going for top-notch production values for any script I write. I don't really care who does it. Do you remember the Eveready ads with the watchman sleeping as thieves try to sneak in then the torch 'mulikas' them? Great concept, pathetic production. You're not killing my concept by trying to convince me to be patriotic, sorry. That's just my two cents, though.
ReplyDeleteDOUG, Y&R.