Steve Mugo is an award-winning music video director, editor, drone pilot, and overall filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. With his creative talent and exceptional skills, he has gained recognition in the industry and worked with big names like Nyashinski.
Steve is the co-founder of Ambition Media House, a renowned video-directing company known for its high-quality productions.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Early Life
His journey into the realm of creativity began in Kayole, a vibrant neighbourhood in Nairobi where he was born and raised. Steve developed a deep passion for cinematography from an early age and was determined to break free from the conventional path often expected of youth in his area.
Education
The 29 year old video director pursued a degree in mass communication at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). It was during his formative years at JKUAT that Mugo honed his technical skills and developed a deep understanding of the art of filmmaking.
Through rigorous academic training and hands-on experiences, he learned the intricacies of cinematography, editing, and visual effects, laying a solid foundation for his future endeavours.
Speaking to the Standard, Steve shared how he took advantage of new film equipment that had been brought to JKUAT when other students were coy.
“No one was taking this new equipment, most students were hesitant to use them. For me, I took it as a challenge. I love challenges and risks, even all my clients know that about me,” he told the publication.
“I took the risk, asked for permission, took the equipment. We shot in the morning and came back again in the evening to shoot some more. I didn’t know how to use it yet at that point. I just used general knowledge,” he says.
Career
The debut video he had shot for a medical student made it to national television.
“It was on Citizen TV’s Mseto East Africa. And from that moment I knew that I had to keep going. I was like wow, this is my first video and it’s literally on Mseto.
Armed with the knowledge and a burning desire to make his mark, the filmmaker set out on his professional journey. His innate talent and unique perspective quickly caught the attention of industry players, and he soon found himself in demand as a visionary in visual storytelling.
He was so keen on details that he spent every coin he made to ensure videos of upcoming artists were of the highest standards.
“I put all the money into the production. That way, famous artistes started to see the quality of work I was doing, and that is how my name and reputation grew as the calls started coming in,” he told SDE.
Founding Ambition Media House
Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, he co-founded Ambition Media House, a powerhouse in video production. With a team of like-minded individuals, the company quickly gained recognition for its cutting-edge creativity and uncompromising commitment to quality.
Ambition Media House became a go-to destination for artists and musicians seeking to elevate their visual presence through meticulously crafted music videos.
Renowned Artists
He was behind the 2020 chart topping hit Hapo Tu by Kenyan superstar Nyashinski’s 2020.
When he was done with the Hapo Tu project he was asked to make a few corrections by the superstars team.
“I got a few corrections from his team at first. But shortly after, I got a call from Nyashinski himself saying that the video was perfect as it was. He was like, ‘bro ata usichange kitu, hio kitu ni noma’. He told me that I had delivered beyond his expectations,” Steve told SDE.
Accolades and Recognition
Steve Mugo’s exceptional talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed. His work has received critical acclaim and numerous accolades, catapulting him to the forefront of the industry.
From prestigious award nominations to recognition from industry peers, Mugo’s contributions have been celebrated as a testament to his skill and creativity.
Some of the awards he has won include Best Video Director at the Groove Awards, Pulse Music Video Awards and Verse5ve.
Family
He credits his wife, Irene, for being the backbone of the company and makes major decisions when the need arises.
