Two decades ago, Edugee was making waves in the music industry. He was a rapper collaborating with the likes of Prezzo, a major star at the time. Edugee even casually mentions rubbing shoulders with Bien and Father Mo, individuals who went on to become pivotal figures driving the music industry today.
That, however, was just the beginning of his story of his profession which like many creative journeys, took an unexpected turn. Somewhere between rapping and developing a knack for videography and photography, Edugee found himself being interviewed by Geek Speak Radio. The interview stemmed from his most recent feature film, ON AIR.
When asked about his development over the decades, Edugee brightly answers, "We've been lucky." There's at least an eyes pair of questioning stare: "Lacking?" But no. He clarified how fortunate he’s been to have collaborative support throughout his career, which ultimately led to his latest achievement.
Intrigued, the interviewer, JustANerd (Jan), dug deeper, asking how he transitioned from music to photography, music videos, so much more and eventually film. Edugee explained that his evolution was driven by genuine interest. An insatiable curiosity.
He beamed as he recounted Kenya’s early history as a filmmaker’s destination, noting how Hollywood’s presence influenced their exposure. While this history has both helped and hindered Kenyan filmmakers, he expressed optimism that with interest and passion, the industry could thrive. He urged filmmakers to step out of their comfort zones and move beyond the repetitive narratives often seen in Kenyan cinema—a “tunnel vision” approach driven by the belief that the market only wanted what had worked before. He presented *ON AIR* as a film that broke away from the norm in both its creation and delivery.
The conversation then turned to TV shows, with Edugee criticizing how mainstream media often overwhelms production teams with stifling rules and conditions, ultimately stifling creativity. He emphasized the importance of being informed and highlighted platforms like KFCB and KFC (Kenya Film Classification Board and Kenya Film Commission) as valuable resources for learning about IP protection. His advice: "Just go and ask."
The discussion shifted back to his acclaimed film, *ON AIR*. Edugee, a seasoned director of production, sound expert, editor, colorist, and all-around creative, reflected, "All my experience was building up to this. Whatever we did, this is the culmination." The conversation delved into the film’s conceptualization, auditions, the critical role of voice actors, and plans for its premiere, marketing, and distribution.
Edugee gave a shout-out to Kennedy of Century Cinemax for supporting Kenyan films. He also shared a sneak peek into his upcoming projects, leaving listeners eager for more.
The interview was packed with insights and inspiration. Don’t miss it when it goes live on geekspeak.co.ke.
Oh, and one last thing: You can catch *ON AIR: The Most Dangerous Broadcast in History*
At Century Cinemax, Junction Mall, on December 12th at 3:15 PM
It’s giving ''A Jamhuri Day Special!": Hopefully, there’ll be more cinema screenings to follow—fingers crossed, right? More people need to witness how Edugee’s vision challenges the status quo, setting new standards for storytelling in the industry.
If this feels too sudden, don’t worry. *ON AIR: The Most Dangerous Broadcast in History* is also available for streaming at onair.suncity-radio.com for just Ksh 300. Stay tuned!
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