From Acting to Directing – Ian Mwangi’s Creative Reign

What starts as a childhood hobby can sometimes shape your entire destiny, just ask Ian Mwangi. Long before he walked the halls of KCA university,Ian was already editing videos on his mother’s phone,unknowingly laying the foundation for a career in media. Today, he is not only a founder of Supremenous Production but has also worked with several Kenyan celebrities and even made an appearance on Neema, a local series airing on Citizen Tv.

“I’m always in competition with myself,”Ian says . A simple yet powerful mantra that reflects his drive.

At KCA, Ian specialized in videography, editing, motion graphics and graphic design. His time there sharpened his skills and fueled his dream of building something of his own. That dream turned into Supremenous Production which is a creative company which offers media services to clients and businesses.

The idea took shape while working for a friend who had started a media company at a young age and was doing great in that field. The experience paired with the hate of a 9-5 job made Ian realize he wanted freedom, creativity and control over his own projects. “I didn’t like the routine. I wanted to be my own boss,”he explains. Of course, starting a business wasn't easy. Financing was the first major challenge. He saved , got the licenses and build a client base . At first ,convincing clients to take a chance on a new business was tough but he stayed consistent. One of the Ian’s most unexpected opportunities came when he was on his way to pitch himself at Jiffy Pictures.

He met Brenda, an actor on Neema and connected with creatives Samiro and Shigwan Shiku offering to help them shoot their content and that’s when Brenda asked if he could act. On the spot, he was asked to perform a scene with no script just raw energy. “ It was crazy, having to a create a script and act infront of them,” Ian recalls. He didn’t get feedback for two weeks and assumed the chance had slipped away. But the callback came and with it ,a foot in the door. Since then,he has worked with names like Carlos the Experience,Vidola UG and others.

These experiences gave him firsthand look at highs and lows of the creative industry. Among his many projects, one stands out for him; a short film called Sssshhhh! Though the footage was lost and never posted, it was a pivotal moment for Ian. It was his first time creating a full short film solo, just him, a camera and his cousin.

He learned to make fake blood, experiment with special effects and push the limits of his creativity. As a class representative during his university days, Ian says his discipline and consistency helped him balance studies and client work. When challenges come, he reminds himself of the one thing: why he started. His advice for young creatives? “ If you have an idea, go for it. Don’t give up. If you do the it’ll never see the light. Focus on the journey not just the destination.”

 Looking ahead, Ian hopes to grow Supremenous Production , produce more quality films and hit 100k subscribers on their channel.

His story is a reminder that with passion, patience and a little boldness , dreams can turn into careers and sometimes even into screen time.

(By Jecinta Wangare)