Film and Theatre

Course Overview

The Certificate in Theatre and Film Arts at Nayolites Film Academy provides a rigorous, hands-on introduction to the dual worlds of live performance and visual storytelling. Hosted at the cutting-edge Bamuda Place headquarters, this foundational program is specifically designed to equip Kenyan youth with the essential, practical skills needed to enter the media industry.

The curriculum focuses on immediate application, allowing students to discover their creative voices while mastering the basics of professional production. By blending the preservation of traditional cultural expressions—such as local song and dance—with introductory modern cinematic techniques, the program ensures that every student is grounded in authentic storytelling.

open to all with KSCE D+  and above with motivation and passion

• Here is a comprehensive 16-week syllabus tailored specifically for the Theatre and Film Arts program at Nayolites Film Academy. 

16-Week Intensive Syllabus: Theatre and Film Arts

• Bridging Live Performance and Cinematic Storytelling
• Phase 1: Foundations of Story and Stage (Weeks 1–4)
• The first month focuses on breaking down narratives, finding the creative voice, and understanding the physical space of performance.

Week 1: Introduction to Modern Media and Cultural Heritage

• The evolution of East African cinema and theatre.
• Understanding the dual-discipline approach: Stage vs. Screen.
• The role of media in youth advocacy and community mobilization.

Week 2: The Writer's Room – Screenwriting & Playwriting

• Narrative structure: The Three-Act journey.
• Mastering industry-standard formatting using Celtx software.
• Dialogue vs. Action: Writing for the stage versus writing for the camera.

Week 3: The Actor's Instrument – Voice and Movement

• Vocal projection and diction for live theatre audiences.
• Spatial awareness and basic stage combat/movement.
• Adjusting performance energy for the intimate frame of a camera.

Week 4: Cultural Integration and Traditional Choreography

• Translating local oral histories into visual scripts.
• Incorporating traditional youth song and dance into modern stage productions.
• Preserving cultural authenticity while meeting international broadcast standards.

Phase 2: Technical Mechanics and Execution (Weeks 5–8)

• The second month shifts into the technical gear required to capture the story, whether lighting a stage or operating a cinema camera.

Week 5: Cinematography and Camera Operations

• Deconstructing the camera: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and frame rates.
• Mastering 4K resolution workflows and professional camera bodies.
• Lens selection, framing, and dynamic camera movement.

Week 6: Lighting Design for Set and Stage

• The physics of light and color temperature.
• Theatrical lighting: Stage washes, spotlights, and operating light boards.
• Cinematic lighting: The three-point setup and shaping light with modifiers.

Week 7: Sound Engineering and Acoustics

• Live audio: Theatre acoustics and mixing live microphones.
• Location audio: Operating boom poles and field recorders on a film set.
• Capturing clean dialogue in challenging environments.

Week 8: Mid-Term Practical Evaluation

• Students split into crews to execute a live 5-minute stage scene.
• Immediate transition to shoot the exact same scene on camera, applying technical adjustments for the screen.

Phase 3: Directing, Producing, and Assembly (Weeks 9–12)

• The third month puts students in the leadership seat, managing crews and beginning the editing process.

Week 9: Directing the Actor and the Scene

• The director's role in guiding a production from script to screen.
• Stage blocking (managing live movement) versus creating a shot list.
• Eliciting authentic, non-theatrical performances for dramatic cinema.

Week 10: Production Management

• Budgeting, scheduling, and breaking down a script.
• Location scouting and securing permits.
• The business of entertainment: Pitching ideas to networks and funding bodies.

Week 11: Non-Linear Editing (NLE) Workflows

• Ingesting 4K footage and organizing file structures.
• The mechanics of the rough cut: assembling the story.
• Pacing, rhythm, and continuity in visual editing.

Week 12: Advanced Post-Production – Color and Sound

• Cinematic color grading: Matching shots and establishing visual moods.
• Sound design: Foley recording, mixing dialogue, and adding musical scores.
• Preparing audio and video for television broadcast standards.

Phase 4: The Capstone and Exhibition (Weeks 13–16)

• The final month is entirely dedicated to the production and public exhibition of the students' final graduation projects.

Week 13: Capstone Pre-Production

• Finalizing scripts and casting for the final short films and live plays.
• Locking down equipment, locations, and rehearsal spaces.

Week 14: Production Week (Principal Photography)

• Intensive, structured shooting schedules for student short films.
• Rigorous technical staging and tech rehearsals for the live theatrical pieces.

Week 15: Post-Production Lock and Dress Rehearsals

• Final picture lock, color grading, and sound mixing for short films.
• Full dress rehearsals for the live stage performances.

Week 16: The Grand Exhibition and Premiere

• Part 1: The Live Showcase - A public theatrical performance featuring traditional dance and one-act plays.
• Part 2: The Silver Screen - A film festival-style screening of the students' completed short films and documentaries..

Your Future in Focus: Career Opportunities After Nayolites

Graduating from Nayolites Film Academy is not just the end of a training program; it is the launchpad for a dynamic, lifelong career in the global entertainment industry. Because the curriculum uniquely bridges the precision of cinema with the visceral power of live theatre, alumni enter the job market as highly adaptable, multi-talented professionals.

Whether your ambition is to command a film set, captivate a live audience, or drive the fast-paced world of television broadcasting, the Academy prepares you to step directly into the following high-demand roles:

1. The Film & Television Industry

Equipped with hands-on 4K camera training and post-production mastery, graduates are ready to lead independent projects or join major studio crews.

• Film & Television Director: Lead the creative vision on set, guiding actors and technical crews to bring scripts to life on screen.

• Cinematographer (Director of Photography): Design the visual aesthetic of a film, managing the camera, lighting setups, and lens choices.

• Video Editor & Colorist: Sculpt the final narrative in the cutting room, utilizing advanced non-linear editing and cinematic color grading to meet international distribution standards.

• Screenwriter: Craft the essential blueprints for the industry, writing compelling dialogue and structuring narratives for short films, features, and television series.

2. The Live Stage & Performing Arts

For those who thrive on the immediate energy of a live audience, the dual-discipline training opens doors across the theatrical world.

• Stage Actor / On-Screen Talent: Deliver powerful, grounded performances adaptable to both the grand scale of a theatre and the intimate focus of a camera lens.

• Theatre Director: Block scenes, manage live stage energy, and seamlessly integrate traditional song and dance into modern theatrical showcases.

• Stage & Production Manager: The logistical backbone of the entertainment world, responsible for calling lighting cues, managing sets, and ensuring live performances run flawlessly.

3. Broadcast & Digital Media

Graduates are perfectly positioned to step into fast-paced media networks, utilizing skills that translate directly to platforms like Nayolites TV and Nayolites Radio.

• Broadcast Producer: Oversee the daily operations of live television or radio shows, managing rundowns, talent, and live control room switching.

• Radio Host & Audio Engineer: Drive the conversation on the airwaves, capturing clean audio, mixing sound, and engaging with a massive digital or local audience.

• Digital Content Strategist: Leverage professional video and audio skills to dominate the digital landscape, creating high-quality, engaging content for brands, advocacy campaigns, and social media.

4. Independent Creators & Cultural Ambassadors

The Academy actively encourages students to become entrepreneurs and defenders of local heritage, building their own production houses much like Nayohood Films.

• Documentary Filmmaker: Travel the region capturing real-world events, investigating local issues, and translating authentic African narratives into award-winning non-fiction films.

• Media Educator & Advocate: Use the power of film and theatre to mobilize communities, run civic engagement campaigns, and mentor the next generation of creative youth.

At Nayolites Film Academy, we don't just teach you how to use the equipment. We train you to build an empire.