Josiah Vista: On Talent, Passion and a Career in Videography

Film Production- the cool thing we have all desired since we were kids. You know, toting a camera, or cameras, with a cap turned back and children surrounding you to “be seen on TV.” Even if we don’t make it in the career, we become life-long “videographers”… with our phones, or if we are passionate enough, get a second-hand camera and film away.

But, here is a young man living the life! Meet Josiah Mwangi, the self-made video producer.

Josiah had such dreams when we was a kid, too. He had a strong desire to be the person capturing people’s stories and presenting them on screen. But the odds were quite against him.

Josiah comes from, as he says, a modest family. When he cleared his KCSE, his parents could not take him to college, and, thankful for the education he had received with hardship, he came to the city of opportunities, Nairobi, to curve a life for himself. He started off in garages, as a car mechanic, and then wielding in Kawangware. Still, at the back of his mind, Josiah had his videography dream alive.

So, he approached his church media department (Church of God Seventh Day) to get a handle of media equipment. He was then mentored by a close friend, Peter Kim of NeuTech Studios, Nairobi, on taking and editing videos. What he learnt throughout the week, he would practise in church on Saturday.

Josiah’s work rate and easy relation to people, coupled with with desire to learn, soon got him two other mentors: Jane Nderitu on professional film editing and Murree of Mercury Films on directing and actual videography.

Everything I know, I owe it to the community. I owe it to my church and all the remarkable people that mentored me. I couldn’t afford school but made my community my education. The community is like a river, all you need to do is drink from it. I am qualified, though, because I registered for a diploma exam that I did and passed well.

From the savings that he made from his many hustles, Josiah started buying and hiring small filming equipment- lighting, small cameras, computers… and converted his house into a studio. He then started making music videos, wedding and event filming. Word started spreading and there was no looking back- Vista Films Technologies was born!

What he couldn’t do, he would sub contract to other people and get a commission- the proverbial hustler.

A believer in people’s talent, Josiah realised the youth in his Church had a lot of talent that could be nurtured. So, he started the Vista Acting group with about 15 friends. The group has now grown to a fully fledged self sufficient group that will be having two TV shows soon.

There is a lot of untapped talent everywhere. If people come together and decide to do something, anything is possible. In Vista Acting Group, anyone with a talent taught others. I taught the group everything about films and now everyone can handle all aspects of film making. We have a very able script writer- Mureithi Nthinga… Basically, every writer has an extra role they have perfected in. People have learnt from each other and we are stronger as a group.

The Vista Acting Group visiting a Childrens Home

Talent is so important to Josiah, he believes no one should be denied the chance to explore throw their passion and talent. He produces videos for free especially for upcoming artistes who can’t afford to make videos! How remarkable is that?! Is that for anyone, including our readers?

If someone has talent that he thinks, from this story, that I can help in, let him talk to me and I will help. I was made by people and I should also help others. I have to repay somehow, by helping someone else!

We notice that he has another offer on LIVELUVO, Vista Errands. To supplement his Film Making business, Josiah started an errands venture, to come to his help when there are no gigs to shoot. You don’t put all eggs in one basket. Through Vista Errands, he helps people access government e-services such as passport applications, business licences, iTax services, as well as run simple errands in town. As it grew, he got a friend to help him run the errands business, because, as he says, you cannot do all things. You need help. That friend now runs Vista Errands entirely.

So, why LIVELUVO?

When I learnt about LIVELUVO from a friend, I was very interested about the things one can do from the phone. When I started Vista Errands, we had to print thousands of brochures and distribute everywhere. Through LIVELUVO, I can access many people at the same time, in on platform, my phone. The fact that LIVELUVO is about the community helping each other also appeals a lot. I need help from the other person, and they need my help. Together, we build something big. We become self sufficient as the youth and not have to depend on the government for jobs and grants. That’s why I am on LIVELUVO.

Oh, and rather than fill my phone with funny videos and games, I’d rather have an App that can help me!

We wish Josiah Vista all the best. From our chat with him, the community is your playground, do whatever you want with it, and ensure you flourish- the community will help you! That’s our Harambee spirit. You can contact him on LIVELUVO and Facebook.