PONTACT
PRODUCTIONS NEWSLETTER
JULY
2006
PROJECTS
PICTURE THIS. A feature film crew of about 80 people and all the accompanying
paraphernalia – vehicles, walkie talkies, make-up tent, wardrobe
van, catering, mobile toilets, etc. – on their first shooting day
in Samburu, observed by a bored pride of lions all day and even an afternoon
visit by a leopard.
Congratulations to our dedicated crew and cast for a professional job
under a nearly impossible conditions, very tight prep schedule (seven
sets to build including two villages and a military base, and elaborate
wardrobe requirements) in the recent 36 day shoot of the Amber Studios.
Well done! .
PICTURE THIS. Traffic jam in Shaba – 3 young bull elephants warming
their feet on the road. There is no way past. Director arrives on set
45 minutes late.
The film, being a Russian comedy (working title “Equator”),
perhaps helped everyone involved to keep a sense of humour as both natural
and human interventions created a daily challenge for us to keep the shoot
on schedule. However, we persevered!! Not only did the production have
to deal with a severe drought causing dramatic changes in the scenery
since the location scout, but also for the 20 Russian crew who arrived
from a frigid Russian winter into temperatures in the 30’s Centigrade
of northern Kenya in January of 2006. This was virgin territory for this
young and enthusiastic cinematic voyagers.
PICTURE THIS. Magnificent white goat (Tony Blair) travels the 5 hours
by road from Nairobi. He is rejected by the Director because he is too
big. But not before he entertains the astonished local Samburu populace
by obeying orders and answering when spoken to
Amid rumours that we were being sabotaged, we were plagued by problems
from the moment we applied for filming permission in Shaba and Buffalo
Springs. Apart from the human element (the local authorities), we also
had to contend with scorpions, crocodiles, and a wounded leopard. But
we came in on schedule, on budget and, in spite of all, the Russians can’t
wait to return to Kenya.
PICTURE THIS. A she-goat is required for the Milking Scene. All the “BG
goats” are male or sheep. Solution … Art Department will paint
“Shaba”. Playing two parts, she is now assured of an easy retirement
in Nairobi.
I hope we have a hilarious film. Only wish we could have afforded “The
Making of …”
THE KENYA FILM COMMISSION AND AFCI TRADE SHOW
In a Cabinet re-shuffle early this year, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe replaced the
former Minister for Information & Communications and, with his Permanent
Secretary, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, we have strong backing from the Government.
Whilst supporting the Kenya Film Commission, the Minister dissolved the
previous board and has recently appointed a new one. The only appointee
to survive from the previous KFC Board is Jenny. This is a great honour
and a challenge. The other board members are suited to the task ahead
and all have something to offer the film industry and we are all delighted
to have Mr. Titus Naikuni, Managing Director of Kenya Airways, as our
Chairman.
Jenny’s last assignment for the former Kenya Film Commission was
to attend the AFCI Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica from 7-9 April,
2006, as a Kenya delegate. In the absence of a Commission, Kenya has been
valiantly represented by the Government Department of Film Services on
a meager budget. With the new Kenya Film Commission, we are already planning
the coming year’s calendar of Film Festivals and Markets and so we
won’t look like Africa’s poor relation any more.
WHITE MASAI NAIROBI PREMIERE
On the evening of July 21, Nairobi was treated to the Premiere of the
Constantin Films and Pontact Productions box office winner “The White
Masai”. Opening across the world in 40 countries the film has been
widely acclaimed for it’s cinematography and stunning screen adaptation
of Corrine Hoffmann’s best selling book of the same title.
Arriving that day on an early morning flight from Tokyo, especially for
the event, were accomplished Director Hermine Huntgeburth and leading
male actor Jacky Ido. Also attending the gala was the film’s Line
Producer, Jürgen Tröster and the German Ambassador, H.E. Walter
J. Lindner. Various Kenya Government dignitaries including Prof. Ndemo,
Permanent Secretary, attended as well as leaders from Kenya’s film
industry.
OUR OFFICES
Email:
pontact@africaonline.co.ke
Pontact Productions
EPZ Limited
Rafiki EPZ Industrial Park
Outer Ring road
P.O. Box 64918
00620 Nairobi,
Kenya
Telephone Numbers
Office switchboard +254-20-8562386
Office direct landline: +254-20-6752166
Office mobile +254-720 030870
Jenny direct +254-20-8561463
Office fax +254-20 8562133
Cellphones
Jenny +254-733 602431 or +254-722 221179
Joram +254-724 334110 or +254-735 836560
Maggie +254-720 796998 or +254-737 227037
Michael Karanja +254-727 107700 or 0735 107700
Yusuf +254-722 213667
Naomi +254-721 884749
www.pontact.com
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