This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 12, 2020, NTV Kenya published an interview with Grace Murema, the founder of East Africa's first special effects product line, where she opened up about not being paid after working on the Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther.
Murema, a special effects makeup artist, revealed that she wasn't bothered about not being paid as she saw the opportunity as exposure. She explained that she had already gained experience working on various projects in Kenya, including Disconnect and 40 Sticks, as well as several series and ads.
Despite facing challenges in finding projects, Murema noted that the few she gets are well-paying and keep her going. She decided to set up a special effects school to train students after being overwhelmed with projects and unable to outsource them due to the need for her personal training.
Before becoming a special effects artist, Murema developed a taste for makeup after joining a beauty school where she earned skills in massage, nails, facial, and hairdressing. However, her road to the top was not without its challenges, including a period where she was paid a monthly salary of Ksh2,000.
During her break, Murema was inspired by the special effects in the TV series Grey's Anatomy, which led her to enroll in a special effects school in South Africa in 2013. She was unable to find a school offering the course in East Africa at the time.
One of Murema's notable projects is the '48 Hours Film Project', a global initiative that showcases creatives' skills within 48 hours.
"I did special effects for the movie 'Black Panther' for exposure ~ Grace Murema, special effects makeup artist. #TuzidiNaHustle pic.twitter.com/giRFbMgY8G " — NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) July 12, 2020
