The partnership will revolve around several elements, the first of which is organising workshops for students and the wider practitioners at The NRB Bus, or through a mobile unit traveling around Kenya to reach more areas and people interested in the programme. There will be 40 short workshops, which will take place at the Alchemist Bar in Nairobi, as well as 12 longer workshops which will take place at the NRB BUS on General Mathenge Lane, Westlands in Nairobi and other cities in Kenya.
Secondly the project will also support the growth of creative talents through skills development and mentorship, especially if those talents who have not been able to find suitable job placements. The project will seek to find young Kenyan and international talents, both to mentor and in need of mentoring as part of the workshop and outreach activities.
Roman Troedhandl, Managing Director, Canon Central and North Africa, said: “We value our partnership with BUS as we both seek to promote a reputable imaging and film industry in Kenya. Photography and imaging is an incredible art form and Canon is proud to support the training of the next generation of talent that will establish and grow the film and photography sectors. Exposing young talent to the latest imaging technology and nurturing their skills will give the participants unparalleled opportunities on a local as well as an international level when seeking work, or even establishing their own imaging business. It will also expand their network of connections within the industry.”
Canon will also provide imaging equipment to BUS as part of the partnership. The equipment will be loaned to students with the aim of familiarising them with the cutting-edge professional technology used internationally, including Canon’s latest technology in imaging and their capabilities such as: the leading EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS 80D, and the Cinema EOS range, of the C200 and C300 Mark II.
The workshop and seminar sessions that will be conducted will widely vary from photography to filmmaking, these will include subjects such as, ‘Understanding the exposure triangle’, ‘Composition Notion’, ‘Controlling shutter speed and aperture for creativity’, ‘Shooting for Stills vs Shooting for Video’, ‘Grammar of filmmaking’,‘Controlling and Changing Screen Direction’ to name a few.
Canon’s corporate philosophy of `Kyosei`, meaning ‘living and working together for the common good ,’ the company continues to maintain its strong growth and prosperity in the region through new business initiatives while also promoting its CSR activities.
In late 2014, Canon has launched the Miraisha Sustainability programme which is aimed at building the capacity and skills of people in the African countries in which we operate through our imaging heritage, leveraging the company’s advanced technological strengths.
The programme helps to support people to develop livelihoods in professional photography or print. To date, through the programme, we have trained more than 3,000 students on photography skills and over 20 printing businesses. We have received a certificate of appreciation from the Kano State Professional Photographers Association in Nigeria (KASPPAN).