THE INFLUENCE OF VISUAL EFFECTS IN THE FORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF IDENTITY: A CASE STUDY OF THE SELECTED KAYOLE ONE FILMS. WINNIE BOSIBORI OGERO C50/68746/2011 A Research Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Arts in Literature, University of Nairobi. October, 2014 DECLARATION AND APPROVAL Declaration This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for an award of a degree in any other University. Signature……………………….. Date………………………… Winnie Bosibori Ogero C50/68746/2011 Approval This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as the University supervisors. Signature……………………….. Date………………………….. Dr. S.P Otieno, Department of Literature, University of Nairobi. Signature........................... Date…………………………… Dr. Tom Odhiambo, Department of Literature, University of Nairobi. i DEDICATION This Thesis is dedicated to: The Lord, for Life and Talent My parents John Masea Ogero and Penina Nyarangi Ogero For their unending love and care and My husband Boaz, for listening and interceding. Sons Austin and Kevin, for putting a smile On my face at all times. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My earnest appreciation to the almighty God: for life, strength, and capacity to do this work. Without his will, this research will not have been in existence. My most sincere gratitude to: Simon Peter Otieno for his incisive evaluation of my work, and availability at all times, which inspired this work. Tom Odhiambo, whose encouragement and concern gave me hope. As my supervisors, I owe them completion of this project. I am grateful to Kimingichi Wabende whose criticism inspired me to work harder. I want to thank especially Peter Mwakazi who provided invaluable assistance in editing and proofreading the project. Without the tireless labor of my classmates: Mike Kipng’eno, John Korir, Tony Oira, George Kagira, Tom Owiti, Rachael, Maureen, Jennipher, Jacky, and Grace for their support and prayers,it is doubtful the project would have been completed. I have also benefitted from the assistance of dedicated teachers of drama of Kayole One primary school that is, Kuria and Wachira, and the entire Kayole One fraternity who have helped me complete the work at last,and to whom I would like to express my appreciation. My regards to the headteacher, Kapsabet Township and St.Joseph’s Mobett for according me the support I needed in order to carry out the interviews in their schools. The interviews positively impacted on the outcome of the entire work. iii CONTENTS Contents DECLARATION AND APPROVAL ............................................................................................. i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ............................................................. 1 1.0 Introduction: The Kayole One Film Project. ............................................................................ 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Hypothesis................................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Justification ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Scope And Limitations ............................................................................................................. 8 1.6 Literature Review...................................................................................................................... 9 1.7 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................... 31 1.8 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter Outlines ........................................................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER TWO: TEXTUAL ANALYSIS: THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHILD PERFORMERS........................................................................................................................... 36 2.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 36 2.2 Textual Analysis: The Contribution Of Child Performers ...................................................... 36 2.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 41 CHAPTER THREE: THE (DIS) PARITY OF RECEPTION AND PERCEPTION: A CRITIQUE OF THE OBJECT/TARGET AUDIENCE ......................................................... 42 3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 42 3.2 The (Dis) Parity Of Reception And Perception: A Critique Of The Object/Target Audience 42 3.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 58 iv CHAPTER FOUR: FORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF IDENTITY: AN ANALYSIS OF VISUAL EFFECTS ......................................................................................... 59 4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 59 4.2 Formation And Transformation Of Identity: An Analysis Of Visual Effects ........................ 59 4.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 74 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 75 Works Cited .................................................................................................................................. 77 Questionnaire ................................................................................................................................ 82 Songs Selected .............................................................................................................................. 83 Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 95 v Abstract Societies/individuals create their own reality through a specific space they occupy at a certain time.The concept of reality implies an interspace between person and context This could be described as hybrid that is, the mixing or intermingling of different contexts.This study has therefore interrogated the influence of visual effects and how they enhance the formation and transformation of the performer(s) identity as far as the object and the target audience is concerned. The research has employed qualitative research methods including interviews (group and in-depth personal interviews) and intense library research.The research has noted that the voice of the child is an effective tool in presenting ideas in the Kayole One films.Again, film production and audience reception are inextricably linked in the process of determining ideas around the (in) visibility of cultural representations. The research has noted that a character on stage forms and transforms through visual effects and that these effects in turn enhance the realization of a film’s aesthetic appeal especially when performed by children.The research also notes that there is a great disparity in terms of reception and perception between children and adult audiences.Therefore, audience reception and perception are crucial for evaluating the transformation process in the film.Also, visual effects, with the inclusion of visual techniques are what make a film different from other literary genres like the novel, plays, and poetry and such effects enhance the aesthetic value of film. The research has concluded that a perfomer’s identity,through role play, is in continous transformation within the same film and from one film to another.This change in personality, otherwise defined as identity transformation, is greatly enhanced by the magical fantasies and technical infusions which are termed as visual effects. vi CHAPTER ONE THE INFLUENCE OF VISUAL EFFECTS IN THE FORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF IDENTITY: A CASE STUDY OF THE SELECTED KAYOLE ONE FILMS. 1.0 INTRODUCTION: The Kayole One Film Project. The origin of the Kayole one film project can be directly linked the Kenya school and colleges film festival. The before mentioned film festival is origin can directly be traced from a work of research entitled o f Modes and codes: An Examination of performance by and for youth in Kenya.