Transform Lives of African Youth by Making Films

Interview with Barbara Muriungi, Costume and Art designer

 Background

Thanks to the support of friends on Global Giving, Hot Sun Foundation offers quality training in filmmaking for youth from urban slums in Nairobi. 

With our film project, New Eden, we are taking the next step for youth to truly become filmmakers. Learning about equipment, even with our hands-on approach, is not the same as learning on an actual film set. That’s what the New Eden film project offers to graduates of Hot Sun Film School training.

Making a film takes people of many different backgrounds and skills. In the area of costume design and art department, there are very few Kenyan designers with film experience. Hot Sun Foundation is fortunate to have had the talented, creative Barbara Muriungi working with our film school trainees on New Eden. Most of Barbara's work was as a volunteer. 

 1. Tell us about your background working in film and design

 I’ve wanted to be a designer since I was young. I’ve followed that dream all through college, although it was a challenge for me and my family. I then got an opportunity to study more about film in a post graduate program. 

 2. Briefly describe your involvement in the New Eden film project 

 I worked on production design for New Eden. It involved designing 42 costumes and props for the film as well as working months ahead of production on set design. While we filmed, I also worked as the art director in charge of a group of trainees. 

 3. How did you source the costumes for the film New Eden?

 Most of the costumes were made from a ton of second hand materials. Since the film was low budget we couldn’t afford a lot of materials for each and every costume so we made a lot of the extras' costumes out of bed sheets and had the tailors sew about 22 dresses from several of the sheets. Others were made from second hand clothing that we had the tailors remake into the costumes we desired.

It took me four months to process the visual concept to fabrication of the costumes, custom made pieces of jewelry and original handmade weapons for the film. With the post apocalyptic theme of New Eden, all the clothes had to look like they were well-worn.

 4. Why should people support Hot Sun Foundation?

 Hot Sun Foundation strives to produce great quality work while training youth from all sorts of backgrounds. We still are in post production of the New Eden film and having more support will be greatly appreciated. We need funds to finish and distribute the film as a showcase for the young filmmakers from urban slums in Nairobi.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the young filmmakers of Hot Sun Foundation.  We need more original film projects like New Eden to provide opportunities for low-income youth. 

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Thanks to supporters like you, Hot Sun Foundation is breaking new ground for trainees from urban slum backgrounds.  

We need your support.

Reminder: all donations are USA tax deductible.  

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Thank you for all you do!

Links:

• Hot Sun Film School Facebook page