Dare to take the unbeaten path

After graduating from Jomo Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science in 2012, Janet Mwaluda decided to study a diploma in counselling psychology. At the time, she had absolutely no idea how this skills combination would count in her life, except that she knew having two certificates would enhance her chance of landing a worthy job.

Get a job she did, as a sales person at a small clearing and forwarding firm in Nairobi. The dismal pay and the limited scope of her responsibilities however were not motivation enough to keep her on the job for any meaningful length of time. Her role was underwhelming. She needed more.

In a total shocker to her parents, and even herself, Janet resigned and decided to try her hand in film.

“The motivation stemmed from watching Western comedy and reality TV shows. Already, there were many Swahili programmes on our screens, but I felt there was a gap that needed to be filled.”

Each time she sat to watch television, Janet would take down notes of deficiencies she felt local TV programmes had.

“Locally, the film sector is inarguably one of the toughest kernels to crack bearing in mind that it is still in its infancy. It is tougher for someone without any training in film - I knew this but was  upbeat about facing the task head-on.”

In a country where the quantity of local TV content is virtually  eclipsed by foreign programmes, film production does not always guarantee a return on invested capital. It is absurd, if astonishing, why someone would therefore depart from a seemingly lucrative path of actuarial science to chart a winding and uncertain terrain in film.   

NEW PHENOMENON

With little savings, a Sh250,000 top-up and absolutely no film skills in her bag, Janet took the big risk. Fortunately, a friend who was then running a small studio in downtown Nairobi allowed her to use his equipment at a small fee. Armed thus, she set to work; filming a programme that focused on the lives of the growing number of socialites in Nairobi.

 “Socialites are a fairly new phenomenon in the Kenyan setting. Lately though, it has become a popular, albeit infamous way of life for many young women in the country. It would be dishonest of us to overlook this trend,” Janet explains.  

Nairobi Diaries was thus born, with Janet Mwaluda as the Executive Producer.

Suddenly, she was in a strange territory, a realm that demanded more than she had.

“We needed a sound engineer, a lighting specialist and camera crew. I needed to also learn how to use various editing tools. It was a whole new world.”

Conceiving, packaging and shooting a decent TV programme is a handful, but securing airtime on TV is a different kettle of fish altogether, as she learnt.

“It is a battle of sweat, tears and blood. I became a hawker of sorts. For months, I walked from one TV station to another, meeting marketing teams, trying to persuade producers to take a look at my concept and making presentations. It was  tough,” Janet recollects.

Broadcasters were hesitant, and for a genuine reason. Airing the bold content, likely to generate vicious backlash from viewers, would be a massive gamble to take. Clearly, the programme was quite unlike anything that had graced local TV screens.

Some promised to call her, but when weeks turned into months without any word, she would correctly deduce that her programme had been rejected. She didn’t give up though.   

After three long years of knocking on doors that wouldn’t open, K24 TV agreed to run the programme. The first episode of the premier season of Nairobi Diaries aired on Monday, December 14, 2015.

 “For me and my crew, it was  a milestone borne out of our resilience.”

Just as Janet had desired, all social spheres were instantly humming with talk about the new programme. Positive or negative, people were talking.

“This is a challenge that keeps me  awake - all hours are working hours for me.”

Disputes with the crew and cast, exhaustion of ideas and even conflict with broadcasters all constitute the toxic brew that triggers the collapse of otherwise stimulating TV programmes. For four long years nonetheless, Janet has weathered storm upon storm, and remained afloat.

So, what is her talisman?

“Nothing beats teamwork. I work with a compact team that strongly believes in this dream, and does everything to ensure it prospers,” she says. 

Directors and producers are believed to be a heavy-handed lot, but as Janet maintains, life on TV is cruel. “Mediocrity does not have a place in film. If the product fails to meet the quality the consumer demands, why keep the labour? You cannot spend resources on a project that does not tick. People get the boot all the time, and replacements are sought. That’s just the way it is.”

TEARS AND SWEAT

Nairobi Diaries, entering its sixth season early June, has created employment for 22 people; camerapersons, sound technicians, drivers, catering assistants and others.

Her education was not in vain, even though she ended up in a field she did not study for. She reflects: “Analysing probability in business is vital, and this is where my knowledge in actuarial science comes in. Psychology is about understanding human behaviour. Understanding the members of the cast and also the audiences’ consumption habits and determining who is most likely to entertain viewers more.”

“It requires grit to break into this sector, a great deal of determination to flourish, and countless sacrifices to keep the ball rolling. It is a laborious process, but worth every drop of sweat,” Janet says.

Just in case you think Nairobi Diaries is quirky, be warned because in Janet’s creative kitchen, quirkier is steaming.

“We have three mind-blasting projects in the pipeline that Kenyans will definitely love. We can’t wait to complete them,” she says.

Janet at a Glance

•   She studied actuarial science at Jomo Kenyatta University, where she graduated in 2012.

•   She has a diploma in counselling psychology.

•   She is the Executive Producer of 'Nairobi Diaries'

•   Teamwork, and colleagues that believe in her dream, have contributed to the success of this series.

•   The programme is entering its sixth season.