Behind the Lens: Film maker and producer, Izu Okafor on Authentic Nigerian Storytelling - ep 11

[00:00:14] Hi everyone, welcome to Talking Tech With Creative Podcasts. As you know, we dive into the intersection of technology and creativity. I'm Stella Oni, a creative who thrives in the world of writing, food and technology. I love exploring different mediums to share my passions. By day I work in the tech industry and by night I cry, I craft crime fiction.

[00:00:41] My Police Procedural, Deadly Sacrifice was published a few years ago and I'm currently working on a sequel to that as well as the first of a new mystery series called the London House Mystery Series.

[00:00:55] The premise of that book is a housekeeper with a secret who went under for about 30 years and she met a tech genius who also had his own issues and it was just a fantastic story out of that set in a beautiful hotel in Knight's Bridge, London.

[00:01:19] I also review books which you can find on TikTok and under the names S.O.Ni, the Writer and Stella Oni, the Writer. So you can find them on TikTok, my book reviews or on YouTube.

[00:01:31] Food is another passion of mine. I love to write about food, especially Nigerian food.

[00:01:36] I think I love the way food brings people together, communities together and I just kind of like write my stories around food.

[00:01:46] So when I like a particular kind of food, I'll write a story around it and it's quite, people are reading it, people are quite interested in it.

[00:01:52] So if you want to read that, you can go to my blog, StellaOniTheWriter.com slash blog.

[00:01:59] In today's episode, we'll be diving into the world of film and media.

[00:02:04] You know, we've done so many things.

[00:02:08] We've covered law, we've covered culture and the future of, you know, tech in Africa with OBSIKA.

[00:02:17] We've covered self-publishing, we've covered, there's the one coming, there's two that are coming, but one of them is going to be on augmented reality.

[00:02:28] And all of them is just going to be simple enough for you to understand and see what you can use and how you can use that for yourself in terms of your skills and in terms of what you've got.

[00:02:39] So this, you're going to, you're going to enjoy this, this, this, this interview.

[00:02:44] So my guest today is Izu Okafor, because I spelled his name wrong.

[00:02:51] It was a dictionary, not me using Izu.

[00:02:54] So Izu is a film and media specialist.

[00:03:00] And he's going to tell us a bit about himself, because where he came from, what he studied, he's different from where he is now.

[00:03:07] So I was, I really was, I was so curious, I just had to invite him to this interview.

[00:03:12] So Izu, tell us a bit about yourself.

[00:03:15] Hello, good evening everybody.

[00:03:20] I don't know how to start, but my name is Izu Okafor.

[00:03:24] I'm an Igbo, Nigerian.

[00:03:26] I was born in the East.

[00:03:27] I grew up in Inugu.

[00:03:30] So I'm currently a filmmaker.

[00:03:32] I didn't study film.

[00:03:34] I know.

[00:03:36] I didn't study film.

[00:03:38] But then I remember when I grew up, I remember, you know, Inugu had those, I remember seeing Ositaiheni Akiya Mpoko, as we popularly call them.

[00:03:47] Like when I, I remember seeing them going to film, like then, but then I didn't have passion for film.

[00:03:53] I just enjoyed film like every other person.

[00:03:55] As I then, I just love watching film.

[00:03:58] Like everybody's watching film now.

[00:04:00] What do you have to do?

[00:04:00] You just watch film.

[00:04:01] Come back, watch cartoons, watch film.

[00:04:03] So that was why growing up.

[00:04:06] So, and I think at first, I think in my primary school, I wanted to be a doctor.

[00:04:11] Then my junior secondary, I wanted to be an accountant because I thought, oh, they're going to have many databases.

[00:04:21] Then I think it was in my senior secondary that I now said, okay, why not radiography?

[00:04:28] Oh my God.

[00:04:30] I'm counting.

[00:04:31] I'm counting.

[00:04:32] So, and that was what I wrote in my jam.

[00:04:35] I tried writing the first time.

[00:04:37] I didn't, I got up to the cutoff mark, went to the school, wrote a position, and I wasn't selected, obviously, because of something they're called education less developed state, ELDS.

[00:04:47] I learned in that 2012.

[00:04:49] So, the cutoff mark I got, I got up to 250.

[00:04:52] Okay.

[00:04:53] That's more than, I don't know, that's more than 250 over three, was it three?

[00:04:58] No, 400.

[00:04:59] So, I got up to 250.

[00:05:00] Okay.

[00:05:00] So, and the cutoff mark for that particular course was 200.

[00:05:06] Hmm.

[00:05:06] But then, for people from my state, the cutoff mark is 275.

[00:05:13] Wow.

[00:05:14] That's big.

[00:05:15] And then people from some parts of the north, it's 210.

[00:05:19] People like, it's like, I saw the shit and I was like, wow.

[00:05:23] Why is it different?

[00:05:23] I mean, I don't know if I should call it.

[00:05:27] It's the University of Calabar.

[00:05:29] It's a federal university.

[00:05:29] So, I feel that trying to make, I think it's, they're not doing it based on, I think it's equity.

[00:05:36] Okay.

[00:05:36] So, they could be able to accommodate the different people they have.

[00:05:39] That is so unfair.

[00:05:40] That is so unfair.

[00:05:41] So, I don't know.

[00:05:42] They felt someone were more intelligent than the other people were.

[00:05:45] So, that's why, because you're from emo state, you're very intelligent.

[00:05:49] You guys have universities.

[00:05:50] You guys have state.

[00:05:51] But I didn't grow up in emo state.

[00:05:53] I grew up in India.

[00:05:54] I spent all my life in India.

[00:05:55] So, I wrote the first jam.

[00:05:57] And the second jam, I had to write the same course again.

[00:06:00] And the third one, I was now frustrated.

[00:06:04] After staying at home three years, I was like, damn.

[00:06:08] Let me just jump in a little bit and interrupt a little bit for our audience.

[00:06:13] So, emo state.

[00:06:16] Emo state, yeah?

[00:06:17] Is in Nigeria.

[00:06:19] So, if you're carrying a Nugu and emo state, can you explain a little?

[00:06:23] Just tell us.

[00:06:24] So, emo state is in Nigeria, Nugu.

[00:06:26] And he's talking about, you know, when you have, we have federal exams.

[00:06:29] You know, everywhere in the world have different kind of entry exams.

[00:06:32] So, this is the exam to the university.

[00:06:34] Is it to the university?

[00:06:35] Is it your university exam?

[00:06:37] Okay.

[00:06:38] So, three years, we're trying to get into a course.

[00:06:42] Yeah.

[00:06:42] Oh, my God.

[00:06:43] That's frustrating.

[00:06:44] Yeah.

[00:06:45] So, it was the Tony.

[00:06:47] Sorry, you're saying something.

[00:06:49] Yeah.

[00:06:49] No, I was saying the cutoff marks for each, for the entry is different for each

[00:06:53] state in Nigeria.

[00:06:55] So, some people have a lower entry and other people have a higher entry.

[00:06:59] And yours was, you came from a higher entry.

[00:07:03] Yeah.

[00:07:03] So, that was the point.

[00:07:03] I don't know if it's, I don't know if it works like that now.

[00:07:06] Yeah.

[00:07:06] Yeah.

[00:07:07] But in 22 of this, I saw education, ELDS.

[00:07:10] I wouldn't forget that word because it traumatized me.

[00:07:14] I was now wishing, assuming I'm from maybe one of the states, I would have gotten it.

[00:07:19] But then, so, but then I think it's part of God's plan because I believe everything is

[00:07:24] purpose and time and all.

[00:07:25] Mm-hmm.

[00:07:26] So, because I was two years, I left secondary school fairly young as compared to my age.

[00:07:31] Okay.

[00:07:31] I left secondary school at, I think, 15 or so.

[00:07:34] Okay.

[00:07:35] So, you were smart.

[00:07:35] You were smart.

[00:07:36] Yeah.

[00:07:36] So, I left secondary school in time.

[00:07:38] So, three years, then clocked it up.

[00:07:40] So, I was 18 when I got into university, 18 going to 19.

[00:07:43] Which is the average age, actually?

[00:07:45] Yeah.

[00:07:46] You would have gotten in earlier.

[00:07:47] Maybe.

[00:07:47] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:49] Yeah.

[00:07:50] Yeah.

[00:07:50] Yeah.

[00:07:56] I feel God has a plan for everybody and his mind just run up.

[00:07:59] Mm-hmm.

[00:08:00] So, when I got the admission, I applied for that particular target.

[00:08:05] I thought you applied for radiography.

[00:08:07] Uh-huh.

[00:08:07] But after thinking, I was like, twice beating.

[00:08:12] Twice beating.

[00:08:13] So, I had to go.

[00:08:15] I had, I loved geography.

[00:08:17] When I was in school.

[00:08:18] I loved, I loved reading map.

[00:08:21] I could, at my time in school, secondary school, I could tell you, you call this country,

[00:08:25] I tell you the capital.

[00:08:27] From Central America to every part of the world.

[00:08:29] I like the world.

[00:08:30] You like, so you'd have loved travel.

[00:08:32] You'd have, I'm sure you'd have enjoyed traveling.

[00:08:35] I love traveling.

[00:08:36] I love traveling.

[00:08:36] I know.

[00:08:37] I've been to, I think over 15 states in Nigeria.

[00:08:40] Wow.

[00:08:41] Or modern.

[00:08:41] I don't know.

[00:08:42] So, I love traveling.

[00:08:43] I love traveling a lot.

[00:08:44] Mm-hmm.

[00:08:44] So, I then thought, okay, maybe I could just do geography.

[00:08:50] So, I then applied for a particular school.

[00:08:55] In Nigeria.

[00:08:56] Okay.

[00:08:57] And, what I applied there was first, because I was interested in the medical line because

[00:09:01] of the safety, job safety and all.

[00:09:04] Yeah, security.

[00:09:05] Yeah.

[00:09:05] So, I applied for human nutrition and dietetics then.

[00:09:09] Okay.

[00:09:09] But then, while waiting, something, some, my uncle called me and was like, why not choose

[00:09:14] Emo State University?

[00:09:16] Okay.

[00:09:16] I like a suggestion.

[00:09:17] Why not choose Emo State University?

[00:09:19] We are from Emo State.

[00:09:20] Okay.

[00:09:21] Yeah.

[00:09:21] Prior to that time, I've never been to Owiri.

[00:09:25] So, where is?

[00:09:26] In two days of my life.

[00:09:27] So, where is where?

[00:09:28] Oh, where is where?

[00:09:28] Where is the capital of Emo State?

[00:09:30] Uh-huh.

[00:09:31] So, it's like the way London is the capital of the county or whatever.

[00:09:35] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:09:35] Yeah.

[00:09:35] Is it, yeah.

[00:09:36] It's the capital of the county or whatever.

[00:09:37] Like Abuja is FCT.

[00:09:38] Lagos.

[00:09:39] Keja is Lagos.

[00:09:40] I don't go in.

[00:09:40] Yeah, yeah.

[00:09:41] So, where is the capital?

[00:09:42] Is the capital?

[00:09:43] Yes.

[00:09:43] Of Emo State.

[00:09:44] So, like, where everything happens.

[00:09:51] It's called Emo State University.

[00:09:52] So, I changed and then I switched over to IMSU.

[00:09:55] Then I chose geography and environmental management.

[00:09:58] It's called...

[00:09:59] Yeah, yeah.

[00:09:59] It's called that.

[00:10:00] Yeah, because yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:10:01] So, but interestingly, when I was admitted, I came, saw my name on the admission list.

[00:10:08] The name I saw was animal and environmental biology.

[00:10:12] And prior to that time, I've never heard of such a cause ever, ever in my own life.

[00:10:23] Why did, why was your name against that?

[00:10:26] Long story.

[00:10:27] I'm like, ah, what is this?

[00:10:29] And I came to Wurida.

[00:10:31] I came from Inugu to where it's like a three-hour drive.

[00:10:34] Yeah.

[00:10:35] To come and check the admission list and all.

[00:10:38] To come and accept the admission.

[00:10:42] I said, three years, man.

[00:10:43] I cannot start home.

[00:10:45] I don't get straight.

[00:10:45] I don't have time to start home again.

[00:10:48] So, I need to...

[00:10:49] So, I just paid for the admission and then, like, the admission requirement.

[00:10:52] And you did it.

[00:10:53] And you did the course.

[00:10:54] Yes.

[00:10:55] So, in fact, you got the course by accident.

[00:10:57] I don't know how it happened.

[00:10:59] She did.

[00:10:59] Oh, my God.

[00:11:00] I don't know what happened.

[00:11:01] But you did it.

[00:11:01] How was it?

[00:11:02] How was it?

[00:11:03] Before we move on.

[00:11:04] Very quickly.

[00:11:05] Because we still have a lot to go.

[00:11:07] Right?

[00:11:07] We still have a long way to go.

[00:11:08] How was it?

[00:11:10] Three years.

[00:11:11] It's four.

[00:11:13] It's four years.

[00:11:14] How was it four years?

[00:11:15] I think it was exciting.

[00:11:17] Really?

[00:11:18] It was exciting.

[00:11:20] Was it practical?

[00:11:21] Was it practical?

[00:11:23] Yeah.

[00:11:23] Yeah.

[00:11:24] But I can't forget.

[00:11:25] The first year was terrible.

[00:11:28] Okay.

[00:11:29] The first year was terrible.

[00:11:30] I think it was a personal thing.

[00:11:33] Because I didn't like Owee.

[00:11:35] Moving from Inugu to Owee.

[00:11:36] I was expecting a whole lot.

[00:11:38] I don't know if you've been to Inugu.

[00:11:39] Inugu East.

[00:11:40] I haven't.

[00:11:40] I haven't been to the East.

[00:11:41] That's the only place I've known I didn't go to in Nigeria.

[00:11:44] Wow.

[00:11:45] Never been to the East of Nigeria.

[00:11:47] I will make up for it.

[00:11:50] I will make up for it.

[00:11:51] I will make up for it.

[00:11:52] So Inugu had UNN.

[00:11:54] Like University of Nigeria.

[00:11:55] It had ISU.

[00:11:57] It had IMP.

[00:11:58] And I've been to all the schools.

[00:11:59] I see what the environment is like.

[00:12:01] It has the university vibe.

[00:12:02] But then I come to Inugu.

[00:12:05] Then.

[00:12:06] Then.

[00:12:06] That was 2014.

[00:12:07] Was it like a village?

[00:12:08] And I was asking myself, what am I doing here?

[00:12:12] It wasn't really.

[00:12:14] It wasn't like a village.

[00:12:16] But then.

[00:12:16] It wasn't giving me the educational.

[00:12:20] You know, like the educational experience.

[00:12:23] You're supposed to get out and experience and love.

[00:12:26] Yeah.

[00:12:26] Like why be.

[00:12:26] Because the idea of going to a school.

[00:12:28] I feel you need to get connected to a school.

[00:12:30] Before you just.

[00:12:31] You don't just randomly choose schools and go.

[00:12:33] Yeah.

[00:12:34] So.

[00:12:35] But then it wasn't giving it.

[00:12:36] So.

[00:12:37] First year I was just trying to.

[00:12:39] I was skipping classes.

[00:12:41] I was trying to attend classes.

[00:12:42] But the classes were so crowded.

[00:12:44] Ah.

[00:12:45] Jesus.

[00:12:46] So.

[00:12:46] So.

[00:12:47] So.

[00:12:47] So let's.

[00:12:47] So let's move on.

[00:12:49] So.

[00:12:49] So.

[00:12:49] So.

[00:12:50] Then you.

[00:12:51] You.

[00:12:51] You were able to.

[00:12:53] Do it.

[00:12:54] And you finished.

[00:12:55] You finished.

[00:12:56] Yes.

[00:12:57] I specialize in hydrobiology and aquaculture.

[00:12:59] I saw it.

[00:13:00] I saw it.

[00:13:00] And I was like, wow.

[00:13:01] What is that?

[00:13:02] But anyway.

[00:13:03] So.

[00:13:03] How did you get from there.

[00:13:07] To film.

[00:13:08] Because.

[00:13:08] Yes.

[00:13:09] I mean.

[00:13:10] After.

[00:13:10] After service year.

[00:13:12] 2019.

[00:13:13] 2020.

[00:13:14] That was the COVID year.

[00:13:15] After service.

[00:13:15] I served in Adama.

[00:13:17] It is not East Nigeria.

[00:13:18] Yes.

[00:13:19] So you have to do the monetary youth service.

[00:13:21] You know.

[00:13:22] Yes.

[00:13:22] Yeah.

[00:13:22] Which is working youth service in Nigeria.

[00:13:24] When you finish your university.

[00:13:25] You have to serve.

[00:13:28] In.

[00:13:28] You know.

[00:13:29] The government.

[00:13:29] It's almost like you're serving the government for a year.

[00:13:31] You work with the government for a year.

[00:13:33] They pay you stipend.

[00:13:34] You know.

[00:13:35] Yeah.

[00:13:35] So.

[00:13:35] To.

[00:13:36] NYSE.

[00:13:37] Isn't it?

[00:13:37] Yeah.

[00:13:38] Yeah.

[00:13:39] Yeah.

[00:13:39] Yeah.

[00:13:39] So.

[00:13:39] Every.

[00:13:40] Every university student.

[00:13:42] Graduate.

[00:13:43] Has to do the youth service in Nigeria.

[00:13:46] Yes.

[00:13:47] Yeah.

[00:13:47] So you did a one year.

[00:13:48] You did it in.

[00:13:49] Did you say you did it in 2020?

[00:13:51] Yes.

[00:13:52] 2020.

[00:13:53] My goodness.

[00:13:54] I started in.

[00:13:55] I started in 2019.

[00:13:57] Yeah.

[00:13:57] And then.

[00:13:58] Ended 2020.

[00:13:59] Oh, you're lucky.

[00:14:00] Before COVID.

[00:14:01] Yes.

[00:14:02] It was during the COVID year.

[00:14:03] Because my service year was interesting.

[00:14:05] Okay.

[00:14:06] So.

[00:14:06] So.

[00:14:07] So then you.

[00:14:07] So you were there.

[00:14:08] And then.

[00:14:09] What made you go into.

[00:14:10] I'm still.

[00:14:11] I still want to know the connection between.

[00:14:13] Okay.

[00:14:13] So I.

[00:14:13] While I was serving there.

[00:14:15] Yeah.

[00:14:15] I.

[00:14:16] I.

[00:14:17] Think I was still doing.

[00:14:18] Actually.

[00:14:19] In.

[00:14:19] At that point.

[00:14:20] In my life.

[00:14:21] I was looking.

[00:14:22] Looking out for.

[00:14:22] For work.

[00:14:23] Like.

[00:14:24] You know.

[00:14:24] Get a job.

[00:14:25] Start working for somebody.

[00:14:27] And getting paid.

[00:14:28] The entrepreneurship mindset in me.

[00:14:30] Was not yet there.

[00:14:30] What I had more was social entrepreneurship.

[00:14:33] Yeah.

[00:14:33] How to.

[00:14:33] That was.

[00:14:34] Majorly.

[00:14:35] Like.

[00:14:35] All my life.

[00:14:35] I've been doing social entrepreneurship.

[00:14:37] And definitely.

[00:14:37] Don't make money through that.

[00:14:39] Okay.

[00:14:39] So you.

[00:14:40] So when you said social.

[00:14:41] Can you.

[00:14:41] What.

[00:14:41] What did you mean by social entrepreneurship?

[00:14:44] Okay.

[00:14:44] When I was in school.

[00:14:45] I started something called Uncommon Me.

[00:14:46] Uncommon Me was.

[00:14:47] A way to.

[00:14:48] Because I remember.

[00:14:49] My first year in school was terrible.

[00:14:51] Yeah.

[00:14:51] I didn't even connect.

[00:14:52] To the school.

[00:14:53] And I noticed.

[00:14:54] After I.

[00:14:55] After I survived it.

[00:14:57] I realized that.

[00:14:57] I'm not the only one.

[00:14:58] It happens to a whole lot of you once.

[00:15:00] So I had to find a way.

[00:15:02] That was what it was called Uncommon Me.

[00:15:04] You need to discover that you're uncommon in this particular environment that you're finding

[00:15:07] that you're being introduced to.

[00:15:09] So you need to go beyond the common.

[00:15:11] You need to.

[00:15:12] So I took it up.

[00:15:13] So like I started.

[00:15:14] I don't know.

[00:15:15] But it was something I started doing.

[00:15:16] And I started reaching out to a lot of students.

[00:15:17] And we did our first event then in 2016.

[00:15:20] We invited some speakers to talk to us about personal development.

[00:15:25] Like what we could do to get better people as individuals.

[00:15:29] So that was.

[00:15:29] Oh, brilliant.

[00:15:30] 2016.

[00:15:32] Yeah.

[00:15:32] Yeah.

[00:15:32] And also one of my speakers was Eiji Kopa.

[00:15:35] He's from America.

[00:15:36] Like he stays in America.

[00:15:38] He contested for the mayor of Dallas.

[00:15:40] That was.

[00:15:41] I don't know how many times.

[00:15:42] But he stayed there.

[00:15:42] So he was one of my guests.

[00:15:43] Then I did a.

[00:15:44] What did you call him?

[00:15:46] What is his name?

[00:15:47] Eiji K.

[00:15:48] Eiji Kopa.

[00:15:49] Okpa.

[00:15:50] Ok.

[00:15:50] Ok.

[00:15:50] He's from Inugu State.

[00:15:52] And he came to speak then.

[00:15:54] Yes.

[00:15:54] He came to speak.

[00:15:54] We don't know.

[00:15:55] Yeah.

[00:15:55] You know.

[00:15:56] So, you know.

[00:15:56] We don't know the seed that we sow in people's lives.

[00:15:59] Isn't it?

[00:15:59] Look at that.

[00:16:00] Yeah.

[00:16:01] Yeah.

[00:16:01] So.

[00:16:02] And then.

[00:16:03] We started also.

[00:16:04] Through the Okama Media.

[00:16:05] Young.

[00:16:06] Like most of the people that we are also doing.

[00:16:08] We are passionate about.

[00:16:08] We cannot say I was passionate about.

[00:16:10] That's giving back.

[00:16:10] And trying to get ourselves better.

[00:16:12] We started this help.

[00:16:13] We call it help.

[00:16:14] High School Emerging Leaders Program.

[00:16:16] Where we go to secondary schools.

[00:16:18] Educate them on basic tech skills.

[00:16:20] ICT.

[00:16:22] Yeah.

[00:16:23] Yeah.

[00:16:23] So when I was in Adama.

[00:16:24] I was doing the same stuff.

[00:16:25] So this is kind of like.

[00:16:26] Almost like a grassroots thing.

[00:16:27] That you were doing.

[00:16:29] Yes.

[00:16:29] Yes.

[00:16:29] So fast forward.

[00:16:31] How I got into it.

[00:16:32] My first service year.

[00:16:33] I got a job.

[00:16:34] At a bank.

[00:16:37] So when I was told the pay.

[00:16:39] Oh my gosh.

[00:16:41] This is wrong.

[00:16:43] I'm a first son.

[00:16:45] And I have four younger siblings.

[00:16:46] So I'm the first person.

[00:16:49] From my side of the family.

[00:16:50] To graduate from the university.

[00:16:52] Oh wow.

[00:16:53] So.

[00:16:54] That's a lot of you.

[00:16:55] A lot is expected from me.

[00:16:57] From you.

[00:16:58] So I can't be earning 45,000 naira.

[00:17:01] In 2020.

[00:17:03] I don't know what I can say to it.

[00:17:05] Is that a year?

[00:17:07] No.

[00:17:08] 45,000 naira.

[00:17:10] The dollar right now is 1,600.

[00:17:12] Is that a month or a year?

[00:17:13] A month.

[00:17:14] A month.

[00:17:14] Okay.

[00:17:15] Good.

[00:17:16] So 45,000 naira a month.

[00:17:18] Oh my God.

[00:17:18] A month.

[00:17:19] A month.

[00:17:20] A month.

[00:17:21] I was thinking about what do I do?

[00:17:23] What do I do?

[00:17:23] So my cousin then.

[00:17:25] His name is Ibukama.

[00:17:27] He suggested.

[00:17:28] Why not learn video editing?

[00:17:30] Oh.

[00:17:31] That was a suggestion.

[00:17:33] Like a skill.

[00:17:34] Like a skill.

[00:17:34] Yes.

[00:17:35] A skill.

[00:17:35] So that was how we made some calls.

[00:17:38] I got connected to Steve Donagy.

[00:17:40] Steve Donagy is a filmmaker.

[00:17:42] Yes.

[00:17:42] That's why I'm here.

[00:17:43] So then I had to move.

[00:17:45] Because then I was in Asaba.

[00:17:47] I had to move from Asaba to back to Inigo to come and learn video editing.

[00:17:51] That was 2021.

[00:17:52] August.

[00:17:54] I trained with him.

[00:17:56] August.

[00:17:57] September.

[00:17:58] October.

[00:17:59] November.

[00:18:00] I was exposed to my first real life set experience as an editor.

[00:18:04] But then.

[00:18:06] Sincerely.

[00:18:06] Being an editor was tough.

[00:18:08] Because.

[00:18:09] My first month.

[00:18:10] My boss traveled to Ghana for a film project.

[00:18:12] So I was there with some of the guys in the office.

[00:18:15] And they were not carrying me along in what editing was.

[00:18:18] They were making it feel so difficult at that point.

[00:18:21] So.

[00:18:21] Yeah.

[00:18:22] It was tough.

[00:18:23] It was really tough.

[00:18:24] But then we were able to.

[00:18:25] So.

[00:18:25] That was how I started.

[00:18:26] And then my boss.

[00:18:28] Bought a camera.

[00:18:29] A Blackmagic.

[00:18:30] I don't know much about.

[00:18:32] Yeah.

[00:18:33] It's called a Blackmagic camera.

[00:18:35] Blackmagic pocket camera.

[00:18:36] Then.

[00:18:37] So I was like.

[00:18:38] My boss.

[00:18:39] Let's film.

[00:18:39] Like I was.

[00:18:40] I wanted to film.

[00:18:41] Because I've been on set.

[00:18:42] And I was like.

[00:18:42] Seeing people do film.

[00:18:43] And I was excited about the whole film.

[00:18:45] I've been seen.

[00:18:46] They were like.

[00:18:46] Oh yeah.

[00:18:46] Let's make a film.

[00:18:47] Let's make a film.

[00:18:48] So fast forward to 2022.

[00:18:51] Shot a film.

[00:18:52] Then.

[00:18:52] And.

[00:18:55] During the planning of this project.

[00:18:56] I didn't know I was a production manager.

[00:18:58] Until.

[00:18:58] While on set.

[00:18:59] Somebody called me.

[00:19:00] Because.

[00:19:00] Okay.

[00:19:01] Because you're.

[00:19:01] Because you pull it all together.

[00:19:03] A product.

[00:19:03] Yeah.

[00:19:04] Yes.

[00:19:04] Yeah.

[00:19:05] You're producing.

[00:19:06] I was the one that did the scouting.

[00:19:08] For locations.

[00:19:09] Yeah.

[00:19:09] Finding the actors.

[00:19:10] What's.

[00:19:11] Like.

[00:19:11] I was the one that did almost everything.

[00:19:13] Except the ones my boss did.

[00:19:14] So.

[00:19:14] I didn't know this was.

[00:19:16] This had a title.

[00:19:17] In the industry.

[00:19:18] I didn't like.

[00:19:19] I don't.

[00:19:19] I've not been exposed to it.

[00:19:20] So you're a producer.

[00:19:22] So that was how I did my first project.

[00:19:24] With my boss there.

[00:19:25] And after that.

[00:19:26] I was like.

[00:19:26] I was like.

[00:19:27] Excited.

[00:19:28] After that project.

[00:19:29] Until I broke down.

[00:19:29] For a week.

[00:19:30] Yeah.

[00:19:31] That was January.

[00:19:32] Then March.

[00:19:33] My friend sent a script to me.

[00:19:34] Ah.

[00:19:34] Is it cool?

[00:19:35] I have a script.

[00:19:35] Let's work.

[00:19:36] That was perfect distraction.

[00:19:37] And I was like.

[00:19:37] I had more money on me then.

[00:19:39] I've saved up.

[00:19:40] Lots of people.

[00:19:41] So.

[00:19:42] Yeah.

[00:19:42] I thought.

[00:19:42] When I come to Eniguletsu.

[00:19:43] He came from.

[00:19:44] We filmed that particular.

[00:19:46] It was an experimental project.

[00:19:48] It was.

[00:19:49] So what tools.

[00:19:50] What tools did you use?

[00:19:51] Because.

[00:19:52] Because I mean.

[00:19:53] Some of those tools.

[00:19:54] Can be quite expensive.

[00:19:55] Or did you hire tools?

[00:19:57] Yes.

[00:19:57] You get the camera.

[00:19:59] You get the sound equipment.

[00:20:00] You get the light.

[00:20:01] You get the lensives.

[00:20:03] And then you also need.

[00:20:04] The manpower.

[00:20:05] You need people that are.

[00:20:07] Professionals.

[00:20:09] And a camera.

[00:20:10] A cinematographer.

[00:20:10] I would call them.

[00:20:11] A gaffer.

[00:20:12] Someone that does the lighting.

[00:20:13] And stuff.

[00:20:14] The sound record.

[00:20:15] Is someone that is also good.

[00:20:16] With taking clear audio sounds.

[00:20:18] If not.

[00:20:19] It gets professional actors.

[00:20:21] So people that can act.

[00:20:22] So they don't give you.

[00:20:23] Pictures looking back.

[00:20:24] So you really had to make it look.

[00:20:27] Professional.

[00:20:28] Wow.

[00:20:29] So that was basically how I.

[00:20:32] I think I came in through the back door.

[00:20:34] Big editing.

[00:20:35] And then producing.

[00:20:37] Then.

[00:20:37] In 2022.

[00:20:40] I moved to Oweri.

[00:20:42] After I finished training with my boss.

[00:20:44] Because then I was in Enigul.

[00:20:45] I moved to Oweri.

[00:20:47] Yeah.

[00:20:48] And this was a town I didn't like before.

[00:20:50] Yeah.

[00:20:51] I was running from Oweri.

[00:20:52] Okay.

[00:20:53] Yes.

[00:20:53] You moved.

[00:20:54] Okay.

[00:20:55] Back to.

[00:20:55] I moved back to Oweri.

[00:20:57] Because why I moved to Oweri was this.

[00:20:58] I felt.

[00:20:59] Enigul has all it takes.

[00:21:03] Enigul has all it takes.

[00:21:04] When it comes to film.

[00:21:05] Enigul is like the Lagos of Southeast.

[00:21:08] Definitely.

[00:21:08] Enigul is very well known.

[00:21:10] Yeah.

[00:21:11] Yeah.

[00:21:11] But Oweri.

[00:21:12] Oweri is still like a village.

[00:21:15] A country of almost.

[00:21:16] I don't know what to call it.

[00:21:17] But then there are filmmakers here.

[00:21:18] But then I don't think the filmmakers here don't.

[00:21:21] I don't know what they have planned on doing with films.

[00:21:24] But the vision I see in filmmaking is I'm thinking.

[00:21:27] I'm thinking big projects.

[00:21:28] I'm thinking Netflix.

[00:21:30] I'm thinking.

[00:21:31] Hundred people on set.

[00:21:33] Trying to make a project work.

[00:21:35] I'm thinking.

[00:21:36] I'm thinking.

[00:21:36] Like that's what I'm seeing.

[00:21:40] Yeah.

[00:21:41] Oweri.

[00:21:41] Yeah.

[00:21:42] They do others.

[00:21:42] They do.

[00:21:43] They do.

[00:21:44] Gorilla film making.

[00:21:46] But then couldn't you then be the one to be there?

[00:21:49] Because I mean if you were in Oweri.

[00:21:51] What would stop you from being in Oweri.

[00:21:54] And being the one to start it at that level?

[00:21:59] Okay.

[00:22:00] Let's.

[00:22:01] Let me don't rush.

[00:22:02] Okay.

[00:22:02] So there.

[00:22:04] Last year I did my first feature film.

[00:22:07] Yeah.

[00:22:08] It's called Denobi.

[00:22:09] I saw that.

[00:22:10] Yes.

[00:22:10] It's called Denobi.

[00:22:10] And truth is.

[00:22:12] This story was sent to me by a friend sometime in 2021.

[00:22:15] When I started learning video editing.

[00:22:16] That was when he sent that story.

[00:22:18] Like you know how people just send the synopsis.

[00:22:21] I'm like wow.

[00:22:21] I like this.

[00:22:22] I'm going to work on this.

[00:22:24] So in 2022.

[00:22:25] We started planning.

[00:22:26] Started planning.

[00:22:26] Started planning.

[00:22:28] And.

[00:22:29] Film making.

[00:22:30] Like we had about like the budget.

[00:22:32] Then was.

[00:22:33] I was looking at a nine million nara budget.

[00:22:35] Nine plus.

[00:22:36] Okay.

[00:22:37] But then there was no nine million nara available to make that kind of thing.

[00:22:40] So I had to start cutting down.

[00:22:41] As a producer.

[00:22:42] What a producer does.

[00:22:43] Is save money.

[00:22:44] That's what most people don't do.

[00:22:46] The producer saves money.

[00:22:48] Find the best way.

[00:22:49] Yeah.

[00:22:49] Because you have to find the funds.

[00:22:51] You know.

[00:22:51] Yeah.

[00:22:52] Yeah.

[00:22:52] So.

[00:22:53] Find the best way to make something happen.

[00:22:55] And make it happen.

[00:22:55] There is no excuses.

[00:22:56] Who will you give the excuses to?

[00:22:58] Because the rain fell.

[00:23:00] I could not.

[00:23:00] There's no one to hear.

[00:23:02] I could not.

[00:23:03] And if I tell people.

[00:23:04] I think at the.

[00:23:06] States.

[00:23:07] Police.

[00:23:08] States command.

[00:23:08] Emo State Police Command.

[00:23:10] Headquarters.

[00:23:11] For Emo State.

[00:23:12] In a way.

[00:23:13] Yeah.

[00:23:13] And I did not pay.

[00:23:14] Oh.

[00:23:15] Thanks to the PPRO.

[00:23:17] I wasn't there.

[00:23:17] You know.

[00:23:17] If you know.

[00:23:18] But they helped you.

[00:23:20] They helped with the.

[00:23:21] That's fantastic.

[00:23:23] But then.

[00:23:24] It was funny.

[00:23:25] Because we started filming.

[00:23:28] And we had a.

[00:23:29] We had a schedule.

[00:23:30] So.

[00:23:30] They were planning to us.

[00:23:31] We didn't get approval.

[00:23:32] From the States.

[00:23:34] The hotel knows.

[00:23:35] I went.

[00:23:35] I think I went to the position.

[00:23:36] Over 15 times.

[00:23:38] Tried to get an approval.

[00:23:39] Yeah.

[00:23:40] To film death.

[00:23:41] Yeah.

[00:23:41] But still.

[00:23:41] I didn't get the approval.

[00:23:42] So.

[00:23:42] When we finished.

[00:23:43] The first.

[00:23:44] Bit of the field.

[00:23:45] It was us remaining.

[00:23:46] That particular location.

[00:23:47] The police station location.

[00:23:49] We waited.

[00:23:50] We waited.

[00:23:50] I waited.

[00:23:51] Six weeks.

[00:23:53] That time.

[00:23:53] My crew and cast.

[00:23:54] Has gone.

[00:23:55] I'm just looking at the film.

[00:23:57] The script.

[00:23:57] Like what we've shot.

[00:23:59] And then.

[00:23:59] When I got the confirmation.

[00:24:01] From the PR.

[00:24:01] We had to come back.

[00:24:02] Call everybody back.

[00:24:03] Some of the people.

[00:24:04] I had to call back.

[00:24:04] But this was.

[00:24:05] Time around.

[00:24:05] You had to call down.

[00:24:06] Because when I did the first film.

[00:24:08] I had to go from Lagos.

[00:24:09] From Kenugu.

[00:24:10] From Bielsa.

[00:24:11] From Udo.

[00:24:11] Already.

[00:24:13] Yeah.

[00:24:14] Yeah.

[00:24:14] So.

[00:24:14] But this time around.

[00:24:15] We just had to.

[00:24:16] Cut down.

[00:24:17] They could do what we have.

[00:24:18] In a way.

[00:24:18] Because we just had.

[00:24:19] Two days to film.

[00:24:21] Okay.

[00:24:21] There's that particular location.

[00:24:23] So.

[00:24:23] That was what.

[00:24:25] Happened.

[00:24:26] Like.

[00:24:27] How we made that project happen.

[00:24:28] And.

[00:24:29] Funny enough.

[00:24:30] When I was making that project.

[00:24:31] I've never done any particular project.

[00:24:33] In a way.

[00:24:33] But then I have people come to my set.

[00:24:35] I was like.

[00:24:35] People that are in film.

[00:24:37] Already.

[00:24:37] In a way.

[00:24:38] They'll be like.

[00:24:39] Have you met this guy?

[00:24:40] He's making.

[00:24:41] He's doing cinema standard.

[00:24:43] And I felt.

[00:24:44] It felt nice.

[00:24:45] Hearing it.

[00:24:45] From people that have not.

[00:24:47] Worked with me before.

[00:24:48] They just came to my.

[00:24:49] They came to the film set.

[00:24:50] And they believed that whatever I've been.

[00:24:52] Is the standard of.

[00:24:53] I think it's.

[00:24:54] It's a cinema standard.

[00:24:55] That's fantastic.

[00:24:57] I felt really nice.

[00:24:59] So how long did it take you to film?

[00:25:02] I filmed.

[00:25:03] I did the first.

[00:25:04] Six days.

[00:25:06] And then.

[00:25:06] The last bit.

[00:25:08] We had two days.

[00:25:09] Okay.

[00:25:09] All together.

[00:25:09] Eight days.

[00:25:10] Eight days.

[00:25:11] Wow.

[00:25:12] With the budget.

[00:25:13] So did you.

[00:25:13] Did you manage within the budget that you set?

[00:25:15] So you exceeded.

[00:25:16] We didn't even get up to six million.

[00:25:18] Fantastic.

[00:25:19] So you're a great producer.

[00:25:22] We didn't get up to six million.

[00:25:24] Yeah.

[00:25:25] So.

[00:25:26] Yeah.

[00:25:27] Let me come.

[00:25:27] Yeah.

[00:25:28] Sorry.

[00:25:29] Go on then.

[00:25:29] Sorry.

[00:25:30] Because I didn't.

[00:25:30] I didn't pay myself.

[00:25:32] I didn't pay.

[00:25:33] Well, you can't pay yourself.

[00:25:35] You're just starting.

[00:25:36] So you can't pay yourself.

[00:25:37] I didn't pay most of my.

[00:25:39] I.

[00:25:40] It was more like a partnership with some of my team.

[00:25:42] Because at the end of the day.

[00:25:43] If I checked and balanced.

[00:25:45] The budget is six million.

[00:25:47] Okay.

[00:25:47] But then I had to.

[00:25:48] Meet with some people and discuss.

[00:25:50] Okay.

[00:25:50] This is the vision for this budget.

[00:25:52] Okay.

[00:25:52] This is what we expect to do.

[00:25:54] Okay.

[00:25:54] I don't know.

[00:25:55] There's a contract.

[00:25:56] We signed a contract.

[00:25:57] And when we start making money from this budget.

[00:25:59] This is what you're going to get.

[00:26:00] Okay.

[00:26:01] Based on your input.

[00:26:02] So it's not like we didn't pay.

[00:26:03] But then we handled the.

[00:26:05] Logistics for them.

[00:26:06] But we didn't actually pay them.

[00:26:08] Like.

[00:26:08] You're paying someone to do a job for you.

[00:26:10] We just handled what we could handle.

[00:26:11] And then.

[00:26:12] Transportation.

[00:26:13] Transportation.

[00:26:14] And stuff.

[00:26:14] It sounds really exciting.

[00:26:15] So.

[00:26:18] Before I go to my next question.

[00:26:20] Right.

[00:26:21] Yes.

[00:26:22] There are two questions I want to ask you.

[00:26:24] One of them.

[00:26:25] I need to ask you now.

[00:26:26] Which is.

[00:26:27] So.

[00:26:28] Are you firmly.

[00:26:29] A filmmaker now.

[00:26:31] I know your film.

[00:26:32] And media.

[00:26:34] Or is there other things.

[00:26:35] Around that.

[00:26:36] Because.

[00:26:36] You know.

[00:26:37] Where you started from.

[00:26:38] And where you are now.

[00:26:39] Do you believe that this is it for you now.

[00:26:41] And you continue on this stream.

[00:26:43] Because.

[00:26:44] Especially with.

[00:26:45] You know.

[00:26:45] Finance.

[00:26:46] And all that.

[00:26:47] Yes.

[00:26:49] Currently.

[00:26:50] Right now.

[00:26:51] I.

[00:26:52] I don't know what the future will be.

[00:26:55] But then.

[00:26:55] I know I'm going to be in film for.

[00:26:58] I have.

[00:26:58] I've developed this passion.

[00:27:00] The way I.

[00:27:00] Okay.

[00:27:01] I started a film festival.

[00:27:03] In.

[00:27:04] I saw that.

[00:27:05] Yes.

[00:27:05] I saw that.

[00:27:06] Yeah.

[00:27:06] When I came in.

[00:27:06] There was no film festival.

[00:27:08] Look at that.

[00:27:09] You were able to start a film festival.

[00:27:10] This is what I'm saying now.

[00:27:12] That you.

[00:27:12] You're setting a trend.

[00:27:13] You know.

[00:27:14] Where you think.

[00:27:15] You know.

[00:27:15] People are not.

[00:27:16] You know.

[00:27:17] They're not.

[00:27:17] At the standard they should be.

[00:27:19] You're starting a film festival.

[00:27:21] So.

[00:27:21] It was the first day.

[00:27:23] Because when I came in 2022.

[00:27:24] I was talking with the filmmakers.

[00:27:26] Around here.

[00:27:26] Yeah.

[00:27:27] Like.

[00:27:27] Is there anything festival.

[00:27:28] They say there is Villa Fest.

[00:27:29] But Villa Fest was more of a cultural festival.

[00:27:33] I think the emphasis was on.

[00:27:35] I can't tell.

[00:27:36] But then.

[00:27:36] There was not.

[00:27:37] It was not giving me the Afri.

[00:27:39] The Sundance.

[00:27:40] The Venice.

[00:27:41] The Berliner.

[00:27:42] All those kind of.

[00:27:42] Yeah.

[00:27:42] Yeah.

[00:27:43] Yeah.

[00:27:43] So.

[00:27:43] It didn't give me.

[00:27:44] So.

[00:27:44] I was thinking of something.

[00:27:46] That could.

[00:27:46] Give that kind of vibe.

[00:27:48] In the South East.

[00:27:49] Something like.

[00:27:49] Coast Stephen Festival.

[00:27:51] So.

[00:27:51] I started talking to.

[00:27:52] Them.

[00:27:53] I was.

[00:27:53] The plan was not to start it.

[00:27:54] At that point.

[00:27:55] I didn't have the funds.

[00:27:56] To do that kind of event.

[00:27:57] Yeah.

[00:27:57] Yeah.

[00:27:58] I was now recommending it to them.

[00:27:59] I'm available.

[00:28:01] Do something like this.

[00:28:01] I'll work with you on it.

[00:28:03] That was the suggestion that I met.

[00:28:04] I think I met Mr. Chuma.

[00:28:05] I met some other people that I know.

[00:28:08] I waited.

[00:28:09] 22.

[00:28:10] Nobody was doing anything.

[00:28:12] 23.

[00:28:12] First quarter.

[00:28:14] Nobody was doing anything.

[00:28:15] I was like.

[00:28:15] If I stay like this now.

[00:28:17] I will end a whole year in emo state.

[00:28:19] A state I plan on being in.

[00:28:21] Like I moved to.

[00:28:22] And I didn't go for any film events.

[00:28:24] Film events is where filmmakers get to.

[00:28:25] It's like a creative speech.

[00:28:28] Film makers.

[00:28:28] Where you meet other film makers.

[00:28:29] Talk about film.

[00:28:30] Talk about the projects you guys are going to work on.

[00:28:32] It's where you get to.

[00:28:34] Say Ion Sharp.

[00:28:36] Net Ion definitely.

[00:28:36] That's it.

[00:28:37] Yeah.

[00:28:37] Yeah.

[00:28:38] Networking.

[00:28:38] You're networking.

[00:28:39] Where you're networking.

[00:28:40] Yeah.

[00:28:40] Yeah.

[00:28:40] Yeah.

[00:28:40] So.

[00:28:41] But then.

[00:28:41] I was.

[00:28:42] I was like.

[00:28:44] No problem.

[00:28:45] Then I started downloading books.

[00:28:48] About how to organize film festivals.

[00:28:50] Downloaded.

[00:28:51] I downloaded a whole lot.

[00:28:52] Listened to a whole lot.

[00:28:54] Watched.

[00:28:55] I'm sure I read over.

[00:28:57] 800 pages.

[00:28:59] Wow.

[00:29:00] Of different content.

[00:29:01] Trying to learn.

[00:29:01] I think some of them.

[00:29:02] From the British Film Institute.

[00:29:04] I had one document like that.

[00:29:05] From different.

[00:29:06] Different places.

[00:29:07] Yeah.

[00:29:08] I was just researching.

[00:29:09] How do they do a film festival?

[00:29:10] Funny enough.

[00:29:10] I just attended.

[00:29:13] A film festival.

[00:29:16] American Black Film Festival.

[00:29:18] Wow.

[00:29:19] They connected with.

[00:29:22] Soul Festival.

[00:29:23] In Britain.

[00:29:24] Now.

[00:29:24] I am in the writing world.

[00:29:26] I'm a crime fiction author.

[00:29:28] And I've not done.

[00:29:29] Any film at all.

[00:29:30] I've not done anything.

[00:29:31] In film.

[00:29:32] But I'm in technology.

[00:29:34] But I know.

[00:29:34] I'm going to do something.

[00:29:35] In film.

[00:29:36] At some point.

[00:29:36] So I just thought.

[00:29:38] Well.

[00:29:38] That sounds interesting.

[00:29:39] And the film was good.

[00:29:40] And it was brilliant.

[00:29:41] I met the.

[00:29:43] The coordinator.

[00:29:44] The founder.

[00:29:45] Her name is Nicola.

[00:29:47] I think her name is Nicole.

[00:29:48] Or Nicole.

[00:29:49] Nicole Friday.

[00:29:50] Or Nicola Friday.

[00:29:51] Nicole Friday.

[00:29:52] She was a lovely woman.

[00:29:53] They founded this.

[00:29:55] I think.

[00:29:56] Did this say about 30 years ago?

[00:29:58] Wow.

[00:29:59] I think it's a long time.

[00:30:00] About 30 or 20 years ago.

[00:30:02] Sorry.

[00:30:03] Nicole.

[00:30:03] If I got the years wrong.

[00:30:05] But she was just a lovely woman.

[00:30:07] You know.

[00:30:07] And.

[00:30:08] I took a photo with her.

[00:30:10] And I thought.

[00:30:11] I mean.

[00:30:11] Look at this.

[00:30:12] You know.

[00:30:12] Like.

[00:30:13] So they've come.

[00:30:14] They came to Britain.

[00:30:15] To come and.

[00:30:15] They said that's the second time.

[00:30:16] They're in Britain.

[00:30:18] Wow.

[00:30:18] So for you to.

[00:30:19] Yeah.

[00:30:19] And that's.

[00:30:19] And I was in the BFI.

[00:30:21] Wow.

[00:30:22] So it was.

[00:30:22] The British Film Institute.

[00:30:24] Wow.

[00:30:25] It's in.

[00:30:26] Where they call it.

[00:30:26] They call it South Bank.

[00:30:27] In England.

[00:30:28] Yeah.

[00:30:29] And the BFI.

[00:30:31] I always.

[00:30:32] Showcasing film.

[00:30:33] They always have film festivals.

[00:30:34] I've never been to any.

[00:30:35] Not once.

[00:30:37] Wow.

[00:30:37] But I've always been writing.

[00:30:39] Yeah.

[00:30:39] So it's interesting now that.

[00:30:41] You.

[00:30:42] Wanted to do this film festival.

[00:30:44] And you had to now.

[00:30:46] Read.

[00:30:47] Read and read and read.

[00:30:48] So tell.

[00:30:49] So then.

[00:30:50] What now happened?

[00:30:51] Do you now.

[00:30:52] So.

[00:30:53] After the.

[00:30:54] I now started talking to people.

[00:30:56] That I felt that were going to be interested.

[00:30:58] You know.

[00:30:58] You have to build a team of like minds.

[00:31:00] It's first.

[00:31:01] So.

[00:31:03] Talked to people.

[00:31:05] I think I tried convincing a lot of people then.

[00:31:09] Yeah.

[00:31:09] Six advice.

[00:31:10] And.

[00:31:10] Yeah.

[00:31:10] I had to meet also.

[00:31:12] I talked to a particular founder of a festival in Nigeria.

[00:31:15] Ipado International Film Festival.

[00:31:17] I met his name.

[00:31:18] His name is Blackie Ogunlade.

[00:31:20] Okay.

[00:31:21] Ogunlade.

[00:31:23] I spoke with him.

[00:31:28] And then he told me what and what to do.

[00:31:30] Because they were in their third year already.

[00:31:32] As I had 23.

[00:31:35] So I think he told me.

[00:31:37] And before then.

[00:31:38] I volunteered.

[00:31:39] Ipado Film Festival.

[00:31:42] Yeah.

[00:31:42] Ipado International Film Festival.

[00:31:44] International.

[00:31:46] Yeah.

[00:31:46] Never heard of it.

[00:31:47] Wow.

[00:31:48] I lived in Ipado.

[00:31:49] And Ipado influenced me.

[00:31:52] I didn't live in my.

[00:31:52] I don't think I even stayed up to.

[00:31:54] I think I stayed about two years in Ipado when I was a child.

[00:31:57] Ipado influenced me.

[00:31:59] Wow.

[00:31:59] Ipado should have gone far in film.

[00:32:02] Because Ipado influenced me in film.

[00:32:05] They were very, very, very.

[00:32:07] When it came to film and theater.

[00:32:10] They were leading in the career.

[00:32:12] I don't know what happened.

[00:32:13] So I'm happy now that there's an Ipado Film Festival.

[00:32:17] I will find out more about it.

[00:32:18] Because I was quite influenced.

[00:32:20] Some of the things I'm doing now.

[00:32:22] In writing.

[00:32:23] Some of it was influenced by film and theater.

[00:32:25] In Ipado.

[00:32:27] And even I got to know how to read Yoruba.

[00:32:31] Because I was in Ipado.

[00:32:32] Wow.

[00:32:34] So I can write and read Yoruba.

[00:32:36] Not fluently.

[00:32:38] But I can write and read Yoruba.

[00:32:40] I can write.

[00:32:41] Because I know.

[00:32:42] I don't know.

[00:32:42] Have you ever heard of Fagunwa?

[00:32:45] Fagunwa.

[00:32:45] Fagunwa.

[00:32:46] Fagunwa.

[00:32:46] Fagunwa wrote.

[00:32:47] The Forest of the Thousand Demons.

[00:32:51] He wrote books in Yoruba.

[00:32:54] He actually wrote.

[00:32:55] Yeah.

[00:32:56] Dio Fagunwa.

[00:32:56] He wrote books in Yoruba.

[00:32:58] And they were very mythical books.

[00:33:01] You know.

[00:33:01] That.

[00:33:02] And in those days.

[00:33:02] I wanted to make.

[00:33:03] You know.

[00:33:04] Like.

[00:33:04] I was like.

[00:33:04] I'm going to try and make a Fagunwa's film.

[00:33:07] Books into film.

[00:33:08] And Wole Shunka.

[00:33:09] Actually translated one of his books.

[00:33:12] Wow.

[00:33:12] Wow.

[00:33:13] So it was in Ybadon.

[00:33:15] So Ybadon was the heart of.

[00:33:17] When it came to.

[00:33:18] To.

[00:33:18] To.

[00:33:20] And TV.

[00:33:21] And even radio.

[00:33:25] Yeah.

[00:33:26] So yeah.

[00:33:27] So tell us.

[00:33:28] I keep interrupting.

[00:33:29] Because you are taking me back to.

[00:33:31] To the past as well.

[00:33:32] It's interesting.

[00:33:33] Yeah.

[00:33:34] So you were able to do the film festival.

[00:33:36] You were able to.

[00:33:38] Yeah.

[00:33:38] You brought it together.

[00:33:40] Yes.

[00:33:40] We held the first edition.

[00:33:42] Wow.

[00:33:42] After we changed.

[00:33:43] We actually changed the dates.

[00:33:44] Two times.

[00:33:45] Mm-hmm.

[00:33:45] It was supposed to be September.

[00:33:47] Mm-hmm.

[00:33:47] Then we moved it to October.

[00:33:49] But that was last year.

[00:33:50] Yes.

[00:33:51] Okay.

[00:33:51] November.

[00:33:53] Okay.

[00:33:54] September.

[00:33:55] I checked.

[00:33:55] I was not ready.

[00:33:57] Okay.

[00:33:57] That was.

[00:33:59] We wrote for sponsors.

[00:34:00] But then.

[00:34:01] Who would sponsor a first year.

[00:34:02] A median edition of an event.

[00:34:04] Nobody.

[00:34:06] So.

[00:34:08] I thought.

[00:34:08] I actually.

[00:34:09] I was thinking of counseling.

[00:34:10] But man.

[00:34:12] There's no excuse.

[00:34:13] I can't tell somebody.

[00:34:15] I was planning.

[00:34:15] I planned.

[00:34:16] And then.

[00:34:17] You planned.

[00:34:18] And you did not do it.

[00:34:19] It does not make sense.

[00:34:20] I don't know.

[00:34:20] It does not.

[00:34:21] I believe in doing stuff.

[00:34:23] So.

[00:34:24] First of all.

[00:34:24] To October.

[00:34:25] We did.

[00:34:26] Sorry.

[00:34:26] November.

[00:34:28] I was able to do the festival.

[00:34:30] But prior to them.

[00:34:30] We had over.

[00:34:32] Was it?

[00:34:33] 80 something films submitted.

[00:34:34] From around the world.

[00:34:35] From different countries.

[00:34:36] Oh.

[00:34:37] So it was.

[00:34:38] Like from different.

[00:34:39] You actually invited.

[00:34:41] So this is not just.

[00:34:42] Film makers.

[00:34:43] So this was not.

[00:34:44] IMO.

[00:34:45] This was like.

[00:34:46] The film festival.

[00:34:47] What was it?

[00:34:48] Is it IMO Film Festival?

[00:34:50] IMO International Film Festival.

[00:34:52] IMO International Film Festival.

[00:34:53] Inviting films from around the world.

[00:34:56] Yes.

[00:34:56] Invited filmmakers to submit their projects.

[00:34:59] Around the world.

[00:35:00] Yes.

[00:35:01] We have films from Philippine.

[00:35:03] Italy.

[00:35:03] Scotland.

[00:35:05] America.

[00:35:06] Argentina.

[00:35:07] Tanzania.

[00:35:08] Okay.

[00:35:08] All over the world.

[00:35:09] What was the concept?

[00:35:10] So when you say a film.

[00:35:11] I need to understand you.

[00:35:12] Because of course.

[00:35:12] I never had time to talk to Nicole.

[00:35:15] To say okay.

[00:35:16] So when you say a film festival.

[00:35:18] Yeah.

[00:35:19] In.

[00:35:19] Yes.

[00:35:20] Not very many words.

[00:35:22] Tell me what it.

[00:35:23] What the concept of you.

[00:35:25] Having a film festival.

[00:35:26] What was the concept behind it?

[00:35:28] What is.

[00:35:28] What did you want to get out of it?

[00:35:30] What was the idea of it?

[00:35:32] Okay.

[00:35:33] The idea was to.

[00:35:35] For.

[00:35:35] Because most people around.

[00:35:37] Yeah.

[00:35:37] We are limited to the films we see.

[00:35:39] Like.

[00:35:40] There is always a limitation place.

[00:35:42] It's.

[00:35:42] A barrier that you cannot see.

[00:35:44] So.

[00:35:45] Who are.

[00:35:45] So.

[00:35:45] Is it.

[00:35:46] So you are limited to.

[00:35:47] The stream.

[00:35:48] The people that are streaming.

[00:35:49] The streaming.

[00:35:50] Streaming.

[00:35:50] Yes.

[00:35:51] Okay.

[00:35:51] So.

[00:35:52] But then what.

[00:35:53] Our idea is to.

[00:35:54] Also see independent filmmakers.

[00:35:56] Like myself.

[00:35:57] Because most of us don't get.

[00:35:59] Unshare ideas.

[00:36:00] Food.

[00:36:01] Projects on Netflix.

[00:36:02] Prime.

[00:36:03] And at this particular stage of our lives.

[00:36:05] Yes.

[00:36:05] Most of our original projects.

[00:36:07] The ones we did while.

[00:36:09] Toiling.

[00:36:09] And all this.

[00:36:10] Is the gorillas.

[00:36:11] Definitely.

[00:36:11] These are where.

[00:36:12] We pulled our passion and out.

[00:36:14] Out.

[00:36:14] Because.

[00:36:15] There was no particular.

[00:36:16] One million.

[00:36:17] Or ten million dollar.

[00:36:18] That you're.

[00:36:19] You're working with.

[00:36:21] That.

[00:36:21] Big studios were working with.

[00:36:23] So.

[00:36:24] Because.

[00:36:24] That was it.

[00:36:25] So.

[00:36:25] Wanted to.

[00:36:27] See independent filmmakers.

[00:36:28] Celebrate their films.

[00:36:30] Look at what they did.

[00:36:31] And.

[00:36:32] And.

[00:36:33] And say.

[00:36:34] Okay.

[00:36:34] This is nice.

[00:36:35] This is good.

[00:36:36] And celebrate them from all over the world.

[00:36:37] Yeah.

[00:36:37] So we.

[00:36:38] We got a film.

[00:36:39] It's called.

[00:36:39] With love from Bielsa.

[00:36:41] It's a shot in Bielsa.

[00:36:43] By PMD.

[00:36:44] The guy is called PMD.

[00:36:45] It was also selected for.

[00:36:47] Afri.

[00:36:47] African International Film Festival.

[00:36:49] That's the biggest film festival.

[00:36:50] In the whole of Africa.

[00:36:51] Hi.

[00:36:51] International.

[00:36:52] Where does that say?

[00:36:53] Is that in.

[00:36:54] I don't want to say.

[00:36:55] It's done in Lagos.

[00:36:57] It's been resident in Lagos.

[00:36:59] Really?

[00:36:59] Yes.

[00:37:00] International Film Festival.

[00:37:02] Yes.

[00:37:03] It's the biggest film festival.

[00:37:04] You are in Africa.

[00:37:05] Who is the founder?

[00:37:06] Who is the.

[00:37:08] Chioma Ode.

[00:37:09] Chioma Ode.

[00:37:10] Chioma Ode.

[00:37:12] Okay.

[00:37:13] He hosts filmmakers from around the world.

[00:37:15] I think they did the premiere of Wakanda.

[00:37:19] In 2022.

[00:37:21] Okay.

[00:37:21] Okay.

[00:37:21] That is.

[00:37:22] That starred in Wakanda.

[00:37:23] They came to Nigeria.

[00:37:25] Mm-hmm.

[00:37:26] For that particular film festival.

[00:37:27] That's fantastic.

[00:37:27] When they did the African premiere.

[00:37:29] Okay.

[00:37:30] That's fantastic.

[00:37:31] Yes.

[00:37:32] So the idea of a film festival is to celebrate those filmmakers.

[00:37:36] Mm-hmm.

[00:37:37] Get to ask them questions.

[00:37:38] Get to know what their journey in that part is for telling that particular story was like.

[00:37:43] Mm-hmm.

[00:37:43] And for those that we had the opportunity of having.

[00:37:45] Like we had the opportunity of having the guy that did before from Bios.

[00:37:47] He came from Bios.

[00:37:48] We had the opportunity of having an online conversation with one of the student filmmakers

[00:37:53] that submitted our project from Philippine.

[00:37:55] Mm-hmm.

[00:37:58] And then we had the opportunity of talking with also another filmmaker that submitted a film

[00:38:01] from Canada.

[00:38:02] We were just limited because of there was not much time.

[00:38:07] Yeah.

[00:38:07] Yeah.

[00:38:07] Yeah.

[00:38:08] Yeah.

[00:38:08] We had talked with them, see what they do in film.

[00:38:11] And then also connect with our locality.

[00:38:13] People within the filmmakers within our locality.

[00:38:15] They shared their experiences in film.

[00:38:18] They talked to handle masterclass, a panel discussion section.

[00:38:21] And definitely an award for the films that we feel like the jury.

[00:38:25] Because there's always a jury for film.

[00:38:27] Mm-hmm.

[00:38:27] People that screen the film and decide, oh, this film is what.

[00:38:30] And you give that to those film professionals that do their job.

[00:38:34] So the jury will now present an award to the best films in every category from cinematography

[00:38:41] to directing, to editing, to sound, to every other category that comes into play.

[00:38:47] Mm-hmm.

[00:38:47] So that's just typically what it is.

[00:38:50] Yeah.

[00:38:50] That's fantastic.

[00:38:51] So in terms of, let me just look at my, what I'm planning to ask you.

[00:38:58] So in terms of your, you've talked about your influences, the fact that you learned your

[00:39:05] editing, who you learned your editing from and all that.

[00:39:07] So when you kind of like put together your various experiences now, what do you think?

[00:39:14] Do you think that you're someone that glues people together by, you know, like in terms

[00:39:19] of this film festival?

[00:39:20] Or do you think you'll be doing a mix of filming, producing and festival?

[00:39:27] You know, when you see the future.

[00:39:30] Okay.

[00:39:32] Okay.

[00:39:32] What is your passion?

[00:39:33] What is your passion out of all of that?

[00:39:35] What, what are the influences?

[00:39:37] Because I mean, because I could see for you to go and read 800 pages of, you know, to try

[00:39:43] and do a festival.

[00:39:44] Your passion, you know, you're, are you kind of like multi hyphenate, you know, are you

[00:39:49] into different things?

[00:39:50] Okay.

[00:39:51] So you are into different things.

[00:39:53] Yes.

[00:39:54] Like last year I did a music event, make music.

[00:39:57] Mm.

[00:39:58] So you do events.

[00:40:00] You seem to do, you, you seem to be like someone who can pull people together and do

[00:40:06] events.

[00:40:07] Yes.

[00:40:07] I think that was when, it's time from the first event I had while I was in the university.

[00:40:11] Yes.

[00:40:12] I worked with Rotary Club and some other students.

[00:40:15] Yeah.

[00:40:16] And you bring different people together, you know?

[00:40:18] Yes.

[00:40:19] So events is something I think I have, like, not like I think, I know I have strengths when

[00:40:25] it comes to events.

[00:40:26] Mm.

[00:40:26] Because the make music was, is an event, is celebrated globally.

[00:40:30] But then I realized it's not done in the Southeast.

[00:40:33] No state.

[00:40:34] So it's done, it's been in Lagos for like eight years.

[00:40:36] Mm.

[00:40:36] They've done Abuja, Lagos.

[00:40:38] So those of us that are in the village now, like the Southeast village, we need to.

[00:40:42] So I spoke to the coordinator as a, uh, Mrs. Ayo and I told her, why not let's do something

[00:40:49] in Emo?

[00:40:50] That was in 2022.

[00:40:52] That was when, because when I came to Emo State, I'm looking at things that could help

[00:40:56] me stay.

[00:40:58] Because another thing is moving to a place, another thing is staying and being productive

[00:41:02] there.

[00:41:02] Yeah.

[00:41:03] Well, you can create things.

[00:41:04] You're creating things.

[00:41:05] Yeah.

[00:41:05] So I was looking at things I could do, but, uh, things I could be part of that would help

[00:41:11] me build a community here that would make me be part of the community.

[00:41:15] So that was how I was trying to, the music community, the film community, the tech community,

[00:41:20] the creative community.

[00:41:21] I was trying to get within this.

[00:41:25] Because if not, everybody's moving to Lagos.

[00:41:29] Yeah.

[00:41:30] So kind of like, you know, in terms of filming, because I mean, like we live in very challenging

[00:41:34] times at the moment, you know?

[00:41:36] So what would you, when it comes to technology, what do you think technology could do when

[00:41:45] it comes to filmmaking, when it comes to what you do?

[00:41:48] For example, how do you see technology in that?

[00:41:52] Wow.

[00:41:53] Uh, uh, I don't need to.

[00:41:57] For filmmaking, filmmaking is tech.

[00:42:00] Yes.

[00:42:01] Filmmaking is tech from, okay.

[00:42:03] I started from video editing.

[00:42:04] Video editing is tech-related too.

[00:42:06] You see all those from commercials to ads to anything like animation.

[00:42:11] It's tech.

[00:42:12] Yeah.

[00:42:12] It's tech.

[00:42:13] So filmmaking, you cannot remove tech from filmmaking.

[00:42:15] It's not possible.

[00:42:16] Mm-hmm.

[00:42:17] You cannot remove tech.

[00:42:19] There is no how.

[00:42:19] Film has tech in it, like for every particular project you've seen.

[00:42:22] You don't just, you film with technical equipment, the camera, the sound of equipment,

[00:42:28] all these things are technical equipment.

[00:42:29] And then you're looking at creating with people that are also technically inclined.

[00:42:32] You need, you work with, uh, let's say, okay, I'm a producer.

[00:42:36] I work with most of the projects I work with while planning my projects are tech-inclined.

[00:42:41] There are softwares, there are apps, there are the AI also.

[00:42:44] I don't even need to talk about how much influence the AI has been in the film industry.

[00:42:49] Like, these are things.

[00:42:50] So AI is influencing.

[00:42:51] How is AI influencing the film industry?

[00:42:53] Okay.

[00:42:54] Right now.

[00:42:55] Okay.

[00:42:55] I don't need to say it more.

[00:42:56] But then.

[00:42:58] Don't say it!

[00:42:58] I...

[00:42:59] It's not going to hear.

[00:43:01] They want to learn.

[00:43:02] Seriously.

[00:43:03] This is a podcast for hearing, learning, taking away, taking away, taking away, you know,

[00:43:08] people that are making or want to make films now, they're taking things away from you.

[00:43:12] Okay.

[00:43:12] So someone sent a script to me, a 95-page script to me.

[00:43:20] And essentially, there was no time to read through all this.

[00:43:24] So you loaded it onto...

[00:43:27] I asked the AI to do a breakdown of the script.

[00:43:31] Yeah.

[00:43:31] And so, so, so, so, so what?

[00:43:33] Like, in two pages.

[00:43:34] Yeah.

[00:43:35] And it did it.

[00:43:36] And that was what I was able to read.

[00:43:37] And, okay, announce it.

[00:43:39] Okay, this is what the story is all about.

[00:43:41] This is what I'm excited.

[00:43:42] And then I read the opening.

[00:43:43] And then I leave the ending.

[00:43:45] Then, okay, is this something I can work with?

[00:43:47] Because it's, it's cut down on time.

[00:43:51] Yeah.

[00:43:52] It's cut down on time.

[00:43:53] Because if not, every week, I, okay, last, like, I, I also work at an academy now where

[00:44:00] I teach people, university students film making, film production, media production.

[00:44:04] That's fantastic.

[00:44:05] They were developing stories.

[00:44:07] So they developed close to eight stories.

[00:44:09] And they scripted it.

[00:44:11] And I couldn't read, imagine reading eight scripts in a week.

[00:44:17] So you found.

[00:44:18] So I need to be like, so that's one of the, there are many, there are many.

[00:44:23] I can't see that.

[00:44:24] No, you can use, so you can use the iPhone.

[00:44:26] Okay.

[00:44:27] Yes.

[00:44:27] So in terms of like challenges, you know, because I can, I can see that there's no lack of creativity.

[00:44:36] There's no lack of ideas.

[00:44:39] And people are coming together.

[00:44:41] But what are the challenges in this industry?

[00:44:43] What are the things that are pulling you back?

[00:44:45] Like, you know, like, you know, how you understand, you know, what are the things that could change?

[00:44:52] Could be a game changer for you.

[00:44:54] If you had, if you didn't have limitations.

[00:44:57] Okay.

[00:44:59] If I didn't have limitations.

[00:45:02] So what I'm saying is that, what are the challenges?

[00:45:03] Start with the challenges.

[00:45:05] And then what you think could be the game changer if you didn't have those limitations.

[00:45:09] Okay.

[00:45:09] I think the, the primary challenge we face right now is partnerships.

[00:45:20] I wouldn't necessarily say sponsorships, partnerships.

[00:45:23] Definitely.

[00:45:25] I want to do a project and I have the idea.

[00:45:28] I don't have the equipment.

[00:45:30] I don't have the people.

[00:45:32] And I'm trying to talk to these two and that and that and that.

[00:45:38] And they're not, they don't, they just want to be paid.

[00:45:41] That's why I believe money, money is a legal tender.

[00:45:44] It's an exchange.

[00:45:45] It's an exchange.

[00:45:46] So it boils down to funding to an extent.

[00:45:49] It boils down to funding because any project, like we have the next stream festival coming up this November.

[00:45:55] Wow.

[00:45:57] Second edition.

[00:45:58] And I don't even need to talk about the challenges we faced because.

[00:46:04] Okay.

[00:46:05] I don't need to talk about the challenges we faced because they might think about the money.

[00:46:11] It's been.

[00:46:15] But then we have a second edition coming up November.

[00:46:18] And sincerely, I, there are some mistakes I made in the first year.

[00:46:22] And I don't like making the same mistakes again.

[00:46:25] And right now we are trying to rebrand because.

[00:46:29] That one is another story for another day.

[00:46:31] Something happened.

[00:46:32] Somebody came on and said.

[00:46:33] And after our festival, I got a call from that someone wants to do the same festival we did.

[00:46:40] What?

[00:46:42] Yes.

[00:46:43] Like we finished the festival in November.

[00:46:44] I got a call first week of December, like a week after from the manager of Havana Cinemas.

[00:46:49] Because these were places.

[00:46:51] Prior to that first edition, I sent over 200 emails.

[00:46:55] Nobody answered.

[00:46:57] Okay.

[00:46:57] I doubt those that we corresponded with.

[00:46:59] But last, last nothing came true.

[00:47:01] So they want to do their own festival.

[00:47:04] So yeah, the same name.

[00:47:06] And then the thing was, I was trying to register because then I didn't.

[00:47:10] But now I've learned my lessons and I'm trying to.

[00:47:12] You registered the name or anything like that.

[00:47:14] So anybody could just take it.

[00:47:16] No, we registered.

[00:47:17] But then CSE did not approve it.

[00:47:19] So right now, if you go to CSE website and check Emo International Film Festival, you're going to be seen too.

[00:47:25] What?

[00:47:26] I swear.

[00:47:28] So it's still mad to me that I was working on a name to register, finalize registration.

[00:47:33] And CSE gave that same name to someone else.

[00:47:38] And this name was registered December 19th.

[00:47:41] That was like over 20 something days after we held the physical edition of our own festival.

[00:47:47] So it's mad.

[00:47:49] And I don't know what to say.

[00:47:51] And this man, the festival founder called, like the person called me and was like, he has been in the industry for 30 years.

[00:47:58] What not, what not.

[00:48:00] I was like, oh, yes.

[00:48:02] Thank you, daddy.

[00:48:03] You've been in the industry.

[00:48:03] And no collaboration, nothing.

[00:48:04] No, because you guys could have collaborated if they agreed.

[00:48:08] I don't think he was looking for.

[00:48:10] I think he, I don't know.

[00:48:11] I don't know.

[00:48:12] But then if he wanted to collaborate, because right now, if you go online and the thing is this, he cannot beat a child and expect the child not to cry.

[00:48:22] So at first, when I was told this, I was like, OK, let me stop the festival.

[00:48:28] But then I realized that I'm going to be in Hawaii for a long time.

[00:48:31] As much as I travel to Lagos and other places.

[00:48:33] This is where, because you can, there's lots of things you can do.

[00:48:37] There's lots of possibilities.

[00:48:39] Possibilities.

[00:48:40] I see a lot of possibilities.

[00:48:41] If not, I have one of my closest friends that actually in that made me come to Oweire has moved to Lagos.

[00:48:49] OK.

[00:48:49] He moved to Lagos.

[00:48:50] And he kept telling me, Izu, move to Lagos.

[00:48:53] Like it's been a song.

[00:48:54] There's no time we talk on the phone.

[00:48:56] Izu, move to Lagos.

[00:48:57] That's the song he keeps singing.

[00:48:58] Yeah, yeah.

[00:48:59] And it's not like I don't want to move to Lagos, but then Lagos is made now.

[00:49:03] I'm here to help my community definitely, as much as it's tough and old.

[00:49:08] But then I think these are some of the challenges are fixed.

[00:49:11] And I'm trying to get to learn more and do, because I know if you know better, you do better.

[00:49:16] That's one thing I believe.

[00:49:16] So I'm trying to know better, and I'm trying to do better.

[00:49:22] OK.

[00:49:24] So let me move on to our next question.

[00:49:29] Yeah, we've talked about the film festival, you know.

[00:49:33] So what role do you believe African filmmakers have in shaping global narratives?

[00:49:40] Yeah.

[00:49:41] OK, before I answer this question, I wouldn't forget to mention one of the filmmakers that changed my life and made me want to be a filmmaker.

[00:49:52] OK.

[00:49:54] That man is Chris O'Day.

[00:49:56] OK.

[00:49:57] Chris O'Day.

[00:49:58] I met him in 2022.

[00:50:01] So before, prior to 2022, I think I've not heard about Chris O'Day.

[00:50:05] He's a film producer.

[00:50:07] I've not heard about him, but he has, he was the one that produced Living in Bondage, the new one, Breaking Free.

[00:50:14] He produced Ratto Snake, Yaha Nasturi.

[00:50:17] And then he produced Tokumbo, that is currently streaming on Netflix.

[00:50:22] And then some other films.

[00:50:23] So I was lucky, I was blessed to be part of his masterclass.

[00:50:28] He does this masterclass every year.

[00:50:30] So the third edition, it was tough getting it.

[00:50:33] But then I came in as a volunteer at first because I applied to be part of it, but then I didn't reach the, I think they had criteria.

[00:50:40] But then, lucky enough, I got in.

[00:50:42] I went to Lagos for that first fight, for that masterclass for one week.

[00:50:47] And seeing this man talk about fame and share his experience in fame, it was like, it was wow.

[00:50:58] Big influence, big influence, yeah.

[00:50:59] It was wow, because he's the manager for Ramson Noir.

[00:51:02] He's Ramson Noir's manager.

[00:51:05] Yeah, so you see.

[00:51:07] He's not, his name doesn't ring a bell since he's like, you know, you don't get to know directors and actors and producers.

[00:51:13] They're behind the scenes, yeah.

[00:51:14] But he is so much, like he's shaping the industry in a way that I would love to shape the industry.

[00:51:21] But then, his stories are his stories.

[00:51:24] But then the kind of stories I want to tell are stories that, like, sincerely, I still want to do a thing about the Nigerian Civil War.

[00:51:32] I still want to tell that story.

[00:51:34] I want to, because I've been, I started researching about the Civil War sometime in 2012.

[00:51:41] I think I have this thing on, what was it, academia.edu that I've been writing and working on and compiling projects that concern the Civil War.

[00:51:50] Because it's something that has affected the Southeastern, it has affected Nigeria.

[00:51:54] There's no way to put it.

[00:51:56] It has affected Nigeria.

[00:51:58] And I don't know, I don't know if we'll ever heal.

[00:52:02] I don't know.

[00:52:03] Because every year, something must come up.

[00:52:05] You people leave our land.

[00:52:06] This one, it's always, there's always a story.

[00:52:08] But then, I'm looking at sharing this story, not from a judgmental perspective, but from a very, a perspective that shares the ideas from the key people that we are.

[00:52:22] Particularly keen to, from Yakubu Gowman's perspective, from Ojipu's perspective.

[00:52:26] Yeah, from everybody's perspective.

[00:52:28] Just trying to understand it, you know.

[00:52:30] I don't know if it's going to be a documentary.

[00:52:32] I would love if it could be a documentary.

[00:52:34] Yeah, a documentary would be great.

[00:52:36] It's because, you know, just really looking at it.

[00:52:38] Because it's come up in so many different ways.

[00:52:41] Chimamanda did her own, what's the name?

[00:52:45] What's the title of her book again?

[00:52:46] Half of a Yellow Sun.

[00:52:48] Half of a Yellow Sun.

[00:52:49] Then, do you know Chigo Zeo Bioma?

[00:52:52] Chigo Zeo Bioma.

[00:52:54] Yeah, it's, I don't, I know it's Igbo, but I don't know which part of, which part is from.

[00:53:00] And I don't know, I haven't got his book.

[00:53:02] I know I've got his book in another pile somewhere.

[00:53:06] He wrote a book about war, but I haven't looked at it clearly.

[00:53:10] I think he's a Nigerian civil.

[00:53:12] From the point of view of a soldier on the war front.

[00:53:16] So, the soldier that went to the war.

[00:53:18] So, I'm yet to read it because I'm a fan.

[00:53:21] I'm a, hi, Chikensi, I'm a super fan.

[00:53:23] I'm just joking.

[00:53:24] No, I'm his fan.

[00:53:26] So, anytime.

[00:53:27] So, he came for an author appearance.

[00:53:30] He lives in the States.

[00:53:31] So, he came for an appearance recently.

[00:53:33] And I went and I bought the book.

[00:53:35] Got it signed.

[00:53:36] Got some pictures taken.

[00:53:38] Because I'm a super fan.

[00:53:39] But it's about war.

[00:53:40] So, I'm looking forward to reading it.

[00:53:42] Because he's done it from the point of view.

[00:53:44] Because he said where he's taking it from.

[00:53:47] The point of view of the soldiers.

[00:53:50] Okay.

[00:53:51] So, you know.

[00:53:52] So, this war.

[00:53:54] You can do it from so many different angles.

[00:53:56] Point of view.

[00:53:57] So, it's almost endless.

[00:53:59] The different angles that you can actually.

[00:54:02] You know.

[00:54:04] People had.

[00:54:04] And there were lots of.

[00:54:05] When I went for the talk.

[00:54:06] There were people.

[00:54:08] Who were affected.

[00:54:09] Whose family.

[00:54:09] Whose family.

[00:54:10] Who were there.

[00:54:11] Whose family were affected by the war.

[00:54:13] People who were born here.

[00:54:15] Who had family back in Nigeria.

[00:54:17] People who were mixed.

[00:54:19] I mean.

[00:54:20] It's incredible.

[00:54:21] Who had stories.

[00:54:22] That they'd heard.

[00:54:24] You know.

[00:54:24] From.

[00:54:25] Yeah.

[00:54:26] Wow.

[00:54:27] It was really, really good.

[00:54:29] It was really, really good.

[00:54:30] Yeah.

[00:54:30] So, the war.

[00:54:31] I actually just checked him on Google right now.

[00:54:33] Oh, yeah.

[00:54:33] Check him.

[00:54:34] Chico Ziobyama is.

[00:54:35] I saw the fisherman.

[00:54:37] And then I think.

[00:54:38] Yeah.

[00:54:38] Yeah.

[00:54:38] Yeah.

[00:54:40] He wrote to the country.

[00:54:41] Yeah.

[00:54:41] Yeah.

[00:54:42] That's the one.

[00:54:42] Yeah.

[00:54:43] Yeah.

[00:54:43] That's the one he's written recently.

[00:54:45] About.

[00:54:45] About the war.

[00:54:46] But I'm trying to think.

[00:54:47] Whether it was a civil war.

[00:54:48] Because I can't remember.

[00:54:49] If it was a civil war.

[00:54:51] Or if.

[00:54:52] I think it was a civil war.

[00:54:53] I think it was from the Nigerian civil war.

[00:54:55] Have a look.

[00:54:57] I've got it somewhere.

[00:54:58] Yeah.

[00:54:59] You know.

[00:55:00] Wow.

[00:55:00] He's been writing for quite a while.

[00:55:02] Brilliant.

[00:55:03] A brilliant writer.

[00:55:04] Wow.

[00:55:06] Me.

[00:55:06] Because I'm an author.

[00:55:08] So I'm a writer.

[00:55:09] First.

[00:55:11] First.

[00:55:11] And a filmmaker one day.

[00:55:14] But yeah.

[00:55:15] Wow.

[00:55:15] So is that someone.

[00:55:16] Go on.

[00:55:16] Go on.

[00:55:17] Have a look.

[00:55:17] Where is he from?

[00:55:18] Can you check?

[00:55:19] Where is he from?

[00:55:20] Yeah.

[00:55:20] I'm checking.

[00:55:22] Checking his wiki.

[00:55:23] But I can't see.

[00:55:26] Where he's from.

[00:55:28] I know he's Igbo.

[00:55:28] Igbo.

[00:55:29] I know he was.

[00:55:31] He grew up in.

[00:55:32] He grew up in.

[00:55:33] He grew up in Akure.

[00:55:35] Igbo that grew up in Akure.

[00:55:37] So he grew up in Yoruba land.

[00:55:43] I can't see where he's from.

[00:55:45] He was born in 1986.

[00:55:49] In Akure.

[00:55:50] Yeah.

[00:55:51] Then.

[00:55:53] But he could speak Yoruba.

[00:55:55] He was in English.

[00:55:55] Wow.

[00:55:58] Yeah.

[00:56:00] Wow.

[00:56:00] So we were talking about technology.

[00:56:03] And filmmaking.

[00:56:04] So we said.

[00:56:05] So film is technology.

[00:56:06] Technology is film.

[00:56:07] There's no way.

[00:56:08] You cannot say.

[00:56:10] You can't escape it.

[00:56:11] You know.

[00:56:12] So in terms of like.

[00:56:13] The future.

[00:56:14] Because I know that you're passionate about.

[00:56:17] You know.

[00:56:17] The kind of work you do with youth.

[00:56:19] You know.

[00:56:20] You've done.

[00:56:20] You've got quite a lot of.

[00:56:22] A few years working with youth.

[00:56:24] So what advice would you give to young filmmakers.

[00:56:27] Who want to break into the industry.

[00:56:29] With all the challenges.

[00:56:30] That it shows.

[00:56:33] Because when I.

[00:56:34] You know.

[00:56:34] It will happen.

[00:56:35] From people.

[00:56:36] People will come up.

[00:56:37] Yes.

[00:56:38] Yes.

[00:56:38] Yes.

[00:56:39] Yes.

[00:56:39] I.

[00:56:41] I wouldn't tell them to be creative.

[00:56:43] Really.

[00:56:43] For you to be in this field.

[00:56:45] You have to be creative.

[00:56:46] So.

[00:56:47] But then.

[00:56:47] To be creative.

[00:56:48] Okay.

[00:56:48] So creative.

[00:56:49] No.

[00:56:50] You have to be.

[00:56:51] I don't need to tell them to be creative.

[00:56:53] Mm-hmm.

[00:56:54] The same way.

[00:56:54] You don't need to tell someone to book a ticket.

[00:56:56] If they want to be on a flight.

[00:56:58] Mm-hmm.

[00:56:58] So.

[00:56:59] That's like a criteria.

[00:57:00] But when you say to be creative.

[00:57:02] What do you mean by that?

[00:57:03] Like.

[00:57:03] Actually.

[00:57:04] I said.

[00:57:04] I don't need to tell them to be creative.

[00:57:06] Mm-hmm.

[00:57:07] But then.

[00:57:08] Creativity could mean a lot of things.

[00:57:10] That's what I hear.

[00:57:11] So that's what I wanted to do.

[00:57:12] For you to break it down.

[00:57:14] And.

[00:57:14] Creativity is.

[00:57:15] You have a story.

[00:57:16] Everybody has a story.

[00:57:17] You're right.

[00:57:17] You're an author.

[00:57:18] So.

[00:57:19] These ideas you have.

[00:57:21] You feel communicating it to people through books.

[00:57:24] Yes.

[00:57:25] It's what you want to do right now.

[00:57:27] And.

[00:57:28] As much as you could grow into like.

[00:57:30] As much as there is.

[00:57:31] Limitless possibilities.

[00:57:33] Mm-hmm.

[00:57:33] Because these books could be adapted into a screenplay.

[00:57:37] They could be made into a movie.

[00:57:39] And all.

[00:57:40] This is what you want to start with right now.

[00:57:42] Yeah.

[00:57:42] So people that want to break into a film.

[00:57:44] I always tell my friends.

[00:57:45] And those.

[00:57:47] As much as you want to.

[00:57:48] Most of the people that want to break into a film.

[00:57:49] Actually want to act.

[00:57:51] Oh.

[00:57:52] Yeah.

[00:57:53] They want to act.

[00:57:54] They want to be the star.

[00:57:55] They want.

[00:57:56] I want to act as well.

[00:57:58] They want to start.

[00:57:59] I've always said.

[00:58:00] If you make any of my books into a film.

[00:58:02] I must have a cameo role.

[00:58:04] Yeah.

[00:58:05] Yeah.

[00:58:06] It's good.

[00:58:07] Most people want to act.

[00:58:08] You think most people want to act.

[00:58:10] Really?

[00:58:11] That.

[00:58:11] I.

[00:58:12] Like.

[00:58:12] This is.

[00:58:13] This is my third year.

[00:58:15] Mm-hmm.

[00:58:15] 22, 23.

[00:58:16] Okay.

[00:58:17] This is my third year.

[00:58:18] So.

[00:58:18] I've met a lot of people.

[00:58:19] I still.

[00:58:20] There is no week.

[00:58:21] There is no week.

[00:58:21] I don't get a chance.

[00:58:22] I got your number from this person.

[00:58:24] I would like to.

[00:58:25] Picture in any of your projects.

[00:58:27] So as opposed.

[00:58:28] So as opposed to wanting to make film.

[00:58:30] As opposed to.

[00:58:31] Being behind the scene.

[00:58:32] Most people want to be in front of the camera.

[00:58:34] Majority of the people.

[00:58:36] They just want to be the star.

[00:58:38] Really?

[00:58:39] Definitely.

[00:58:39] I don't know if you've not met them.

[00:58:40] I don't know.

[00:58:41] Okay.

[00:58:41] Maybe you've not met them.

[00:58:42] But majority of the people want to.

[00:58:44] Like.

[00:58:44] If you were to start a film school in Nigeria now.

[00:58:47] The most attended class.

[00:58:49] Will be the acting class.

[00:58:51] Why do you think that is?

[00:58:53] Because.

[00:58:53] A lot of people.

[00:58:54] You.

[00:58:56] Being the next.

[00:58:56] Genevieve.

[00:58:57] In Nigeria.

[00:58:57] I have been the next.

[00:58:58] Jim Ike.

[00:58:59] They agree of seeing this guy on screen.

[00:59:01] So it's the idea is to be.

[00:59:03] Especially for the extroverted ones.

[00:59:05] That feel.

[00:59:05] Okay.

[00:59:06] They feel the kind of.

[00:59:07] Majority of the people.

[00:59:08] Except maybe for the introverts.

[00:59:10] It's interesting.

[00:59:11] Most of the time we see an editor.

[00:59:12] An editor is always an introvert.

[00:59:14] There might be extroverted editors.

[00:59:15] But most of the times.

[00:59:17] The personality has to do with.

[00:59:18] What they want to do in the industry.

[00:59:20] But then I would advise.

[00:59:22] Them.

[00:59:24] Don't just rush into common acts.

[00:59:25] Start from the.

[00:59:28] Production assistant.

[00:59:29] Go learn something first.

[00:59:31] Walk under somebody.

[00:59:33] Go and.

[00:59:33] Go.

[00:59:34] Get somebody you're looking up to.

[00:59:36] Someone you want to be like.

[00:59:37] Not that you will be the person.

[00:59:39] And learn what the person is doing.

[00:59:41] Learn editing.

[00:59:42] Learn video editing.

[00:59:44] Learn cinematography.

[00:59:46] Learn how to light.

[00:59:47] Being a gaffer.

[00:59:48] Learn how to.

[00:59:49] Walk from the back of the screen.

[00:59:51] To the front of the screen.

[00:59:53] Just know every.

[00:59:54] As much as possible.

[00:59:55] Yes.

[00:59:56] But then.

[00:59:56] I can't remember.

[00:59:57] That was one of my friends in 2022.

[00:59:58] She met.

[00:59:59] Actually we're not friends then.

[01:00:00] She just called me.

[01:00:02] And was like.

[01:00:02] She wants to act.

[01:00:03] And she has been acting.

[01:00:05] And that was around the time.

[01:00:06] I was off in my.

[01:00:06] Because I said.

[01:00:06] We're no problem.

[01:00:08] But she was a student.

[01:00:09] Then she graduated last year.

[01:00:10] From UNN.

[01:00:11] So I remember.

[01:00:12] Last year.

[01:00:13] She moved back to Lagos.

[01:00:16] And.

[01:00:17] She called me sometime.

[01:00:18] May this year.

[01:00:22] As you want to act.

[01:00:23] Don't come into the industry.

[01:00:24] And tell them.

[01:00:24] You want to act.

[01:00:25] Don't come to a place.

[01:00:26] That make an effort.

[01:00:27] And tell them.

[01:00:27] You want to act.

[01:00:28] There is a whole lot of people.

[01:00:29] That want to act.

[01:00:30] That want to act.

[01:00:31] And they're lying.

[01:00:32] Want to make money.

[01:00:33] And they're going for the people.

[01:00:34] That will bring money in anyway.

[01:00:36] You know.

[01:00:36] Yes.

[01:00:37] They're going for the faces.

[01:00:38] At this point.

[01:00:38] You don't have a face.

[01:00:40] There's nobody that.

[01:00:41] No name.

[01:00:42] No faces.

[01:00:43] So.

[01:00:43] So.

[01:00:45] Why not start from.

[01:00:46] A place.

[01:00:47] Where.

[01:00:48] You are.

[01:00:48] Adding value.

[01:00:51] Add value first.

[01:00:53] Because.

[01:00:53] When you want to act.

[01:00:54] You're not adding.

[01:00:55] You're not necessarily.

[01:00:56] That's value.

[01:00:57] That.

[01:00:57] You feel you can add.

[01:00:58] There are 101 people.

[01:00:59] That can add that same value.

[01:01:01] The same thing.

[01:01:02] The same acting.

[01:01:03] Even if you are.

[01:01:04] Denzel Washington.

[01:01:05] Respect.

[01:01:06] I love Denzel Washington.

[01:01:08] We love you Denzel.

[01:01:11] So.

[01:01:12] Actually.

[01:01:12] I want to.

[01:01:13] I pray.

[01:01:13] I.

[01:01:14] I.

[01:01:14] I want to invite Denzel Washington.

[01:01:15] To Nigeria before.

[01:01:17] Have you heard that Denzel?

[01:01:18] If you ever.

[01:01:19] Have you heard that?

[01:01:20] With creative podcast.

[01:01:22] Izu.

[01:01:24] Be careful.

[01:01:25] Filmmaker.

[01:01:25] Media specialist.

[01:01:27] Producer.

[01:01:29] Film festival.

[01:01:30] Organizer.

[01:01:31] Wants you to come to Nigeria.

[01:01:32] We put it out there.

[01:01:33] We put it out there.

[01:01:36] Actually.

[01:01:37] Because.

[01:01:37] I respect him a lot.

[01:01:39] Oh yeah.

[01:01:39] Because.

[01:01:40] Being a Christian.

[01:01:41] I respect him a lot.

[01:01:42] So.

[01:01:42] Even if you are the next.

[01:01:43] Denzel Washington.

[01:01:44] You need to.

[01:01:45] Start from.

[01:01:46] You.

[01:01:47] Find a value.

[01:01:48] Find something.

[01:01:48] You could do.

[01:01:49] Like.

[01:01:49] When I go on a set.

[01:01:50] Currently.

[01:01:51] My friend is filming now.

[01:01:53] And I met this particular person.

[01:01:55] Last year.

[01:01:56] And this person.

[01:01:56] Has been in film.

[01:01:57] 14 years before.

[01:01:58] Like.

[01:01:58] He has been in film.

[01:01:59] For the past 14 years.

[01:02:00] He's a very young guy.

[01:02:01] But I just.

[01:02:01] Worked with him once.

[01:02:03] So when he had this project.

[01:02:04] When this project came up.

[01:02:06] He was calling me.

[01:02:07] Every day.

[01:02:09] Consulting.

[01:02:10] What do I do?

[01:02:11] This is when he started.

[01:02:12] Played actors.

[01:02:13] I was.

[01:02:13] Like he.

[01:02:14] Someone that has been in industry.

[01:02:15] 14 years before me.

[01:02:17] I'm barely here.

[01:02:18] Three years.

[01:02:18] He called me before.

[01:02:19] Like the call I picked before.

[01:02:21] He called me.

[01:02:22] I was like.

[01:02:22] Where are you at?

[01:02:23] I said.

[01:02:24] Once I'm writing up this.

[01:02:25] I'm going back.

[01:02:26] I will go into his set.

[01:02:27] Yeah.

[01:02:28] So like.

[01:02:29] I feel they should.

[01:02:31] Want you.

[01:02:31] And also.

[01:02:32] I learned.

[01:02:33] I read.

[01:02:33] There's a book I read.

[01:02:34] It was.

[01:02:35] Jordan and something pages.

[01:02:37] Producer to producer.

[01:02:38] I can't remember the name of the author.

[01:02:40] I read that book.

[01:02:41] When I wanted to produce my first feature film.

[01:02:43] So.

[01:02:44] So another thing is.

[01:02:44] Go and read.

[01:02:45] Go and read.

[01:02:46] And study.

[01:02:47] So is it.

[01:02:48] So is it going for.

[01:02:49] Is it going on YouTube to watch.

[01:02:51] Or really read books?

[01:02:52] Where is the best for them to learn?

[01:02:54] For books.

[01:02:55] It looks like books.

[01:02:56] You still have to read though.

[01:02:57] It's hard.

[01:02:58] It's hard.

[01:02:59] I'm saying that you still have to read.

[01:03:01] You have to read.

[01:03:03] You have to read.

[01:03:05] You have to.

[01:03:05] Because I feel people.

[01:03:07] Before you publish a book.

[01:03:09] You write it.

[01:03:11] You go back.

[01:03:12] You come back.

[01:03:13] You change something.

[01:03:14] You come back.

[01:03:15] There is a review.

[01:03:17] So before you publish that particular book.

[01:03:20] You've checked.

[01:03:21] You have to audition to the best of your knowledge.

[01:03:23] At that given time.

[01:03:25] So that's why.

[01:03:27] When someone reads a book.

[01:03:29] They are getting the best of your knowledge.

[01:03:31] At that given time.

[01:03:32] Given time.

[01:03:34] So.

[01:03:35] As much as you can.

[01:03:36] Watch YouTube videos.

[01:03:37] And.

[01:03:38] I love.

[01:03:39] I watch YouTube videos too.

[01:03:40] Yes.

[01:03:41] A reading.

[01:03:42] You can get.

[01:03:42] You can get some knowledge.

[01:03:44] Go on.

[01:03:44] Currently.

[01:03:45] I want to start directing.

[01:03:47] Okay.

[01:03:48] I want to start directing.

[01:03:49] Because.

[01:03:50] I realized that.

[01:03:50] Being a producer.

[01:03:51] As the challenge.

[01:03:53] I feel I've overcome the challenge of being a producer.

[01:03:56] And now.

[01:03:57] You want.

[01:03:58] You want to start directing.

[01:03:59] The next challenge is directed.

[01:04:01] Yeah.

[01:04:01] So because.

[01:04:02] I feel.

[01:04:03] Right.

[01:04:03] I got a gig recently.

[01:04:05] The gig is for Nesty.

[01:04:07] It's an Israeli-Nollywood collaboration.

[01:04:09] I'm going to be on the set.

[01:04:11] As a line producer.

[01:04:13] Israeli.

[01:04:14] Why Israeli?

[01:04:15] Israeli.

[01:04:16] So is there collaborations like that?

[01:04:19] Yeah.

[01:04:19] There are collaborations like that.

[01:04:20] The lady that reached like.

[01:04:22] She didn't reach out.

[01:04:23] I was the one that reached out for that particular job.

[01:04:24] I told her.

[01:04:25] I sent my CV.

[01:04:27] My film CV.

[01:04:28] And she was like.

[01:04:28] Okay.

[01:04:28] I should do this.

[01:04:29] She should see how I do budgeting.

[01:04:31] I did budgeting.

[01:04:32] And she was impressed.

[01:04:34] When she called.

[01:04:34] She was like.

[01:04:35] Asking me.

[01:04:35] What do.

[01:04:35] This.

[01:04:36] This.

[01:04:36] This.

[01:04:36] This.

[01:04:36] I said.

[01:04:36] This.

[01:04:37] I said.

[01:04:37] Okay.

[01:04:37] No problem.

[01:04:37] I look forward to working with you on my project.

[01:04:40] I asked when this one is working.

[01:04:41] They said Nesty.

[01:04:42] Okay.

[01:04:42] So.

[01:04:43] Based on the fact that.

[01:04:44] I've.

[01:04:45] For like Chris Ode.

[01:04:46] I wouldn't fail measuring Chris Ode.

[01:04:47] Chris Ode.

[01:04:48] Taught me.

[01:04:49] The things I need to know about budgeting.

[01:04:51] Those books also helped me.

[01:04:53] It drove it down home.

[01:04:54] For me also.

[01:04:55] Because as much as you read.

[01:04:57] You hear.

[01:04:58] You mix it together.

[01:04:59] And then it gives you grounded knowledge.

[01:05:01] We didn't go.

[01:05:01] I didn't go.

[01:05:02] I'm talking about those.

[01:05:03] I didn't go to film school.

[01:05:03] Unless you're going to a film school.

[01:05:05] Yeah.

[01:05:05] Film schools are very expensive.

[01:05:07] Yeah.

[01:05:08] Because I wanted to register for directing.

[01:05:10] But that.

[01:05:10] I realized.

[01:05:11] It was expensive.

[01:05:13] I was even going to ask a question about.

[01:05:15] How important you think formal education in film.

[01:05:18] Is compared to practical experience.

[01:05:22] Formal education in.

[01:05:24] Okay.

[01:05:25] In film.

[01:05:25] In Nigeria right now.

[01:05:26] And they do.

[01:05:27] I think the government has introduced film studies.

[01:05:30] Oh fantastic.

[01:05:30] Because before it was tear pads.

[01:05:33] And you know how well the tear pads didn't matter.

[01:05:36] Yeah.

[01:05:37] Yeah.

[01:05:38] We needed to get to the film level.

[01:05:39] But then.

[01:05:40] I realized.

[01:05:42] The students I've been working with.

[01:05:44] I university.

[01:05:44] Finally university students.

[01:05:46] Mm-hmm.

[01:05:48] Sadly.

[01:05:48] They can't.

[01:05:49] Those in playwriting.

[01:05:50] Can't write a script.

[01:05:52] Oh.

[01:05:54] I'm not a script writer.

[01:05:55] But I know what a script looks like.

[01:05:57] But you know the funniest thing is that.

[01:05:59] Even BBC.

[01:06:00] BBC in England.

[01:06:02] They have.

[01:06:04] Lots of free.

[01:06:05] You can get free scripts to read.

[01:06:07] I'm saying.

[01:06:08] If you sit down and read.

[01:06:09] A hundred to two hundred scripts.

[01:06:10] You become a script writer.

[01:06:14] Definitely.

[01:06:14] These guys are not.

[01:06:16] But what I'm saying.

[01:06:17] Online.

[01:06:18] I wouldn't read them.

[01:06:19] They can go online.

[01:06:21] If you.

[01:06:21] I don't.

[01:06:22] They're limited.

[01:06:23] In what they're searching.

[01:06:25] They're limited in the terms of.

[01:06:26] What that be.

[01:06:27] Because.

[01:06:28] When I tell them.

[01:06:29] These things here.

[01:06:29] They go check in.

[01:06:30] Because I tell them.

[01:06:30] I don't tell them.

[01:06:31] I don't have all the knowledge.

[01:06:33] Mm-hmm.

[01:06:33] These things are.

[01:06:34] Available to you.

[01:06:35] You have your phone.

[01:06:36] You have your laptops.

[01:06:37] It's free.

[01:06:37] Knowledge is out there now.

[01:06:40] It's free.

[01:06:41] There's a lot of free knowledge out there.

[01:06:42] Before you.

[01:06:43] You will start paying.

[01:06:45] Yes.

[01:06:46] But most of this.

[01:06:47] I don't know.

[01:06:48] I actually can't tell.

[01:06:49] Because.

[01:06:50] It's a program that.

[01:06:52] I.

[01:06:52] One of the lecturers.

[01:06:53] Wanted us to do.

[01:06:54] So.

[01:06:54] I actually reached out to.

[01:06:56] Humanist University.

[01:06:57] For that particular project.

[01:06:58] Okay.

[01:06:59] Thank God it's.

[01:07:00] Actually working right now.

[01:07:01] This is the first batch.

[01:07:03] Okay.

[01:07:03] I'm looking forward to see how it goes.

[01:07:05] So that's it.

[01:07:06] So you're teaching.

[01:07:07] So they are learning from.

[01:07:09] You know.

[01:07:10] Yes.

[01:07:10] And it's also.

[01:07:11] But then.

[01:07:12] Formal experience.

[01:07:13] Formal education is also very.

[01:07:14] Very important.

[01:07:15] It has to go line in line.

[01:07:17] With the practical.

[01:07:18] For me.

[01:07:19] I.

[01:07:19] I wouldn't say there was a formal education.

[01:07:22] I think it was more of a.

[01:07:23] Practical.

[01:07:24] And then I had to.

[01:07:25] Formally educate myself.

[01:07:26] By reading.

[01:07:28] So.

[01:07:28] I had to read.

[01:07:29] Because if I didn't read.

[01:07:31] I.

[01:07:32] I don't know what would have been.

[01:07:34] I don't know what would have been like.

[01:07:36] Yeah.

[01:07:36] So we saw.

[01:07:37] With everything that you're doing now.

[01:07:39] How do you kind of like balance.

[01:07:40] Have a balance.

[01:07:41] Do you.

[01:07:41] So that you don't burn out.

[01:07:43] Because I know it's so easy to burn out.

[01:07:44] Look at how you were doing the festival.

[01:07:46] And everything.

[01:07:47] Burn out can be.

[01:07:48] Can.

[01:07:48] Can happen.

[01:07:49] You know.

[01:07:49] How do you.

[01:07:50] Guard against that.

[01:07:53] Okay.

[01:07:54] Work life balance.

[01:07:58] I don't know.

[01:07:59] Sincerely.

[01:08:00] None.

[01:08:01] Sincerely.

[01:08:03] I think I am young.

[01:08:05] And then.

[01:08:07] I have.

[01:08:07] I'm giving this energy for people.

[01:08:09] And that's.

[01:08:10] Okay.

[01:08:10] So you can.

[01:08:11] So you can.

[01:08:12] You can walk all the way till you drop.

[01:08:14] Today is Sunday.

[01:08:15] I'm at the office.

[01:08:16] I came in here.

[01:08:17] Mm-hmm.

[01:08:18] Because.

[01:08:19] Okay.

[01:08:19] From here.

[01:08:19] I'm going to go into my friend's film set.

[01:08:21] The location where we're filming.

[01:08:23] Yeah.

[01:08:23] I'm going to be on set.

[01:08:25] Assisting and helping in anywhere I can help.

[01:08:27] Yeah.

[01:08:27] One day morning.

[01:08:28] I'm going to be back in the office.

[01:08:29] I have a class.

[01:08:30] By.

[01:08:31] I think.

[01:08:32] 3 p.m.

[01:08:33] I have a class.

[01:08:33] 3 p.m.

[01:08:34] To 6 p.m.

[01:08:35] Mm-hmm.

[01:08:35] On film production too.

[01:08:37] So.

[01:08:37] I don't know.

[01:08:38] But whatever works for anybody.

[01:08:40] Mm-hmm.

[01:08:40] Or I think you.

[01:08:41] If you can't rest.

[01:08:43] But I like getting enough sleep.

[01:08:44] Okay.

[01:08:45] So you sleep.

[01:08:46] You sleep enough.

[01:08:46] Okay.

[01:08:48] I like getting enough sleep.

[01:08:49] Good.

[01:08:49] That's good.

[01:08:50] So that's a good balance.

[01:08:52] So what do you do for fun?

[01:08:55] Oh.

[01:08:55] I play musical.

[01:08:57] Oh.

[01:08:57] Lovely.

[01:08:59] I love karaoke.

[01:09:00] I do hiking.

[01:09:01] I love.

[01:09:01] I love.

[01:09:02] But then.

[01:09:02] There's no place to hike in Oweri.

[01:09:05] No hills.

[01:09:06] No hills.

[01:09:07] No hills.

[01:09:07] No hills to hike in Oweri.

[01:09:08] But look for something else.

[01:09:09] You don't have to look for hills to hike.

[01:09:12] Look for something else that is.

[01:09:14] That works with Oweri.

[01:09:15] You know?

[01:09:16] Yeah.

[01:09:16] So like.

[01:09:17] Oweri is more.

[01:09:18] If you've heard about Oweri.

[01:09:20] It's more of a.

[01:09:21] A vibey town.

[01:09:22] They have the bongo music.

[01:09:24] All those.

[01:09:24] I don't know if you've heard of.

[01:09:27] I don't know how to explain.

[01:09:28] But Oweri is a vibey town.

[01:09:30] Oweri is like.

[01:09:30] A town that parties from Monday.

[01:09:33] So they always party.

[01:09:34] Wow.

[01:09:35] There is always an event.

[01:09:37] There's always speciality.

[01:09:37] Occasion of events.

[01:09:38] Yeah.

[01:09:39] Yeah.

[01:09:39] So but then.

[01:09:40] I think I.

[01:09:41] Maybe.

[01:09:42] I can't remember last time.

[01:09:43] I actually have not done anything for fun since.

[01:09:46] Long live.

[01:09:47] What will you call?

[01:09:49] I've not done anything for fun.

[01:09:50] So.

[01:09:51] So you've talked about the people that you've worked with in the past.

[01:09:54] Yes.

[01:09:55] So if you could work with any director.

[01:09:57] Actor.

[01:09:58] In the future.

[01:09:59] Who would you like to work with?

[01:10:01] Who is your like dream.

[01:10:03] Dream people that you want to work with.

[01:10:05] You know.

[01:10:05] There's a Washington.

[01:10:06] Or whatever.

[01:10:07] Okay.

[01:10:08] Outside of.

[01:10:08] Okay.

[01:10:09] We've talked about there's a Washington.

[01:10:10] Who else?

[01:10:10] Who else in Nigeria?

[01:10:11] Let's say Nigeria.

[01:10:12] Who is he?

[01:10:16] He's got the same name as you.

[01:10:19] Yeah.

[01:10:19] What was he?

[01:10:20] He's a director.

[01:10:22] Really?

[01:10:23] He's a director.

[01:10:24] Yeah.

[01:10:25] I'll go find out.

[01:10:25] He was the one that directed 76.

[01:10:27] 70s were shot.

[01:10:28] I think in Ibadan.

[01:10:30] Yeah.

[01:10:31] It was a film about the.

[01:10:33] Cube clip that happened in 76.

[01:10:36] It all ramps with Noah.

[01:10:38] Moritala Mohammed.

[01:10:40] Yes.

[01:10:41] Yes.

[01:10:41] He gets it.

[01:10:41] If you say 76.

[01:10:43] I know it's Moritala Mohammed.

[01:10:45] So.

[01:10:45] I.

[01:10:46] I.

[01:10:46] So much.

[01:10:47] I.

[01:10:48] I look forward to working with Izud.

[01:10:49] Like.

[01:10:49] Okay.

[01:10:50] Funny enough.

[01:10:50] This project is going to be directed.

[01:10:52] Very soon.

[01:10:53] Okay.

[01:10:53] And.

[01:10:54] I've been calling him because I have his number.

[01:10:57] Oh.

[01:10:57] You've been calling him?

[01:10:58] No.

[01:10:59] I didn't call him particularly.

[01:11:00] I just texted him on WhatsApp.

[01:11:02] I did.

[01:11:02] I saw you're going to be part of this project.

[01:11:04] I would like to be the assistant.

[01:11:06] I don't care what.

[01:11:06] I don't even care if I.

[01:11:08] Just to.

[01:11:08] Whatever he wants me to.

[01:11:09] You'll carry the load.

[01:11:10] Appreciate it.

[01:11:11] Anything.

[01:11:11] Okay.

[01:11:12] I remember.

[01:11:13] I did a particular project in Lagos.

[01:11:15] And I worked with him.

[01:11:16] It was Chris Ode's particular project.

[01:11:18] I'm the one that is going to be for Netflix.

[01:11:20] So.

[01:11:21] I came there as an intern.

[01:11:22] Because I've not been on a project.

[01:11:24] Yeah.

[01:11:24] You have.

[01:11:25] 90 people.

[01:11:27] 90 crew.

[01:11:28] On sets.

[01:11:29] It's a very big budget production.

[01:11:32] It's a very big budget production.

[01:11:33] Chris Ode projects are really big budgets.

[01:11:35] Like.

[01:11:35] That's the case.

[01:11:36] Chris just goes all out for filmmaking.

[01:11:38] It's not where you have 10 or 15.

[01:11:40] Like.

[01:11:41] You had a coaster.

[01:11:42] You had over.

[01:11:44] Six to seven.

[01:11:45] Six to nine utility vehicle conveying just the crew and the equipment.

[01:11:51] Wow.

[01:11:52] Wow.

[01:11:52] The camera that was used to film.

[01:11:54] It's called.

[01:11:54] To rent it for a day in the Nandesean Naila.

[01:11:57] It's up to 890k.

[01:12:00] Wow.

[01:12:00] To rent it for a day.

[01:12:02] It's called Ari Alexa Mini LF.

[01:12:04] And the DOP has shot music videos for Asha, WizKid, Daniel.

[01:12:11] So his name is Casey.

[01:12:12] Casey.

[01:12:13] Casey.

[01:12:14] He's the one that has this camera.

[01:12:17] No.

[01:12:17] He's not the owner of the camera.

[01:12:19] He's the DOP.

[01:12:19] The cinematographer.

[01:12:21] Okay.

[01:12:21] When you say DOP.

[01:12:22] You know.

[01:12:22] Everybody here.

[01:12:23] People.

[01:12:23] We're all new to this.

[01:12:25] The DOP is the director.

[01:12:26] Filmmakers.

[01:12:26] If you are listening.

[01:12:27] You understand what he's saying.

[01:12:29] I don't.

[01:12:30] Who is the DOP?

[01:12:31] The DOP is the director of photography.

[01:12:34] He's the cinematography.

[01:12:36] So the director of photography has shot for.

[01:12:39] Did you say Usha?

[01:12:41] Asha.

[01:12:42] Asha.

[01:12:43] Oh, Asha.

[01:12:43] I love you.

[01:12:44] Asha, I love you.

[01:12:45] No, no.

[01:12:45] Don't even start.

[01:12:47] Asha, I've gone to watch you at Royal Albert Hall.

[01:12:53] Because I'm your fan.

[01:12:55] So I'm a core.

[01:12:57] When they talk about Asha, I'm a fan.

[01:13:00] I've gone to watch that.

[01:13:01] I've gone to watch you.

[01:13:02] Wow.

[01:13:03] She's shot for Whiskey too.

[01:13:05] Like he has shot for Whiskey.

[01:13:06] And what's his name?

[01:13:07] His name is Casey.

[01:13:09] Casey.

[01:13:09] Casey Obiadilu.

[01:13:10] Okay.

[01:13:11] Obiadilu.

[01:13:11] Casey Obiadilu.

[01:13:13] Okay.

[01:13:14] So.

[01:13:14] Where are we now?

[01:13:15] He studied film at the University of Jones.

[01:13:17] Okay.

[01:13:18] So I worked with him on set.

[01:13:20] And I was a production intern on that set.

[01:13:21] But then I was.

[01:13:23] You know, when you see somebody.

[01:13:24] And someone you look forward to working with.

[01:13:26] And I just.

[01:13:28] It's not parasitic.

[01:13:29] It's not sarcophagus.

[01:13:30] It's just so dumb.

[01:13:32] And I was serving him water.

[01:13:35] I was.

[01:13:35] I didn't like.

[01:13:36] People go to set and they're like.

[01:13:38] Do you know who I am?

[01:13:40] I don't like.

[01:13:41] I don't know how to do it.

[01:13:42] I've not gotten anything that I'll make with you.

[01:13:45] I'm not big, man.

[01:13:46] I'm not big.

[01:13:47] Well, to be candid.

[01:13:48] Like, I see you.

[01:13:50] The future is bright.

[01:13:53] I need to ask you a question.

[01:13:54] So in terms of film in Nigeria.

[01:13:57] What do you see as a future of film in Nigeria?

[01:14:02] Wow.

[01:14:04] Wow.

[01:14:04] Wow.

[01:14:05] Okay.

[01:14:06] Because I can't.

[01:14:07] You know, the reason why I'm saying this is.

[01:14:10] There are things.

[01:14:10] People are working.

[01:14:11] There are things that are happening from different places.

[01:14:15] And I know that Nigeria is well respected for film internationally.

[01:14:20] What's the future?

[01:14:22] And in terms of, for example, streaming.

[01:14:25] I know there's Netflix.

[01:14:27] And there are other streaming.

[01:14:28] So how do we.

[01:14:30] I'm not saying that Netflix is not the best or anything like that.

[01:14:33] But where else can we see these things?

[01:14:37] So two questions I've asked you now.

[01:14:39] Number one.

[01:14:39] How do you see the future of film in Nigeria?

[01:14:42] And number two.

[01:14:44] Which mediums can people use to consume this?

[01:14:48] Which other mediums are there?

[01:14:49] Other than Netflix and YouTube?

[01:14:52] Okay.

[01:14:55] 2022.

[01:14:58] I'll start with my friend.

[01:14:59] So we talked about this.

[01:15:01] If you know Igbo.

[01:15:03] You've heard of Kiriwe.

[01:15:04] Like it's meaningful.

[01:15:06] Keep watching.

[01:15:08] So we wanted to start a streaming app.

[01:15:11] Where people could put up their filmmakers.

[01:15:13] This app.

[01:15:14] The thing is.

[01:15:14] It's for filmmakers.

[01:15:16] And it's for people that want to enjoy them.

[01:15:19] But then.

[01:15:20] First of all.

[01:15:21] Right now.

[01:15:22] I'm sure.

[01:15:22] I'm sure.

[01:15:23] It's something we are still working on.

[01:15:24] It's a proposed project.

[01:15:25] It's registered.

[01:15:26] The name is registered with CSNO.

[01:15:27] Something that we're looking forward to in the future.

[01:15:29] Because it needs a lot of funding to do.

[01:15:31] The target is basically Nigeria.

[01:15:34] The way Iroko did.

[01:15:36] They brought.

[01:15:37] Like.

[01:15:38] Jess and Joko did.

[01:15:39] That was like.

[01:15:41] Fantastic.

[01:15:41] What he did then.

[01:15:42] Was fantastic.

[01:15:43] I don't know why.

[01:15:44] It's changed right now.

[01:15:46] But that was.

[01:15:47] That is the same idea that Netflix is.

[01:15:48] That is the same thing Netflix is doing.

[01:15:50] That is the same thing that 10 Prime is doing.

[01:15:52] So.

[01:15:53] So it's streaming.

[01:15:54] So streaming.

[01:15:55] Yeah.

[01:15:56] It's for streaming.

[01:15:57] So the future right now.

[01:15:58] It's really bright.

[01:16:00] It's really bright.

[01:16:01] But then.

[01:16:02] But then.

[01:16:04] I'm skeptical.

[01:16:06] I'm skeptical.

[01:16:06] Because.

[01:16:07] It feels like you are in the power of the streamers.

[01:16:13] And the power of the streamers.

[01:16:14] So gatekeeping.

[01:16:14] There's gatekeeping.

[01:16:16] Yes.

[01:16:16] They are.

[01:16:16] They are the gatekeepers.

[01:16:18] That.

[01:16:18] If you don't do.

[01:16:19] According to what they would want.

[01:16:21] Or they might not buy your content.

[01:16:23] They might not fund your content.

[01:16:24] And being a creative.

[01:16:25] Most of the times.

[01:16:26] We need funding to create.

[01:16:28] And then.

[01:16:28] That's where you talk about.

[01:16:29] People like CJ.

[01:16:31] CJ Obase.

[01:16:32] Is one filmmaker.

[01:16:33] That.

[01:16:34] Is doing so well.

[01:16:35] He's from Nemo State.

[01:16:36] He went to government college.

[01:16:37] I don't know.

[01:16:37] I've not met him before.

[01:16:39] Or he's someone I look up to.

[01:16:41] When it comes to film.

[01:16:42] Someone I also want to work with.

[01:16:44] Also.

[01:16:44] I want to work with him.

[01:16:45] He did a.

[01:16:46] Mommy Water.

[01:16:48] Last.

[01:16:50] I think.

[01:16:51] Was he on Netflix?

[01:16:52] I don't think he's on Netflix.

[01:16:53] I don't know if he's on Netflix.

[01:16:54] But the film.

[01:16:55] I watched the content.

[01:16:56] Yeah.

[01:16:57] Yeah.

[01:16:58] It was shot on black and white.

[01:17:00] Okay.

[01:17:01] Okay.

[01:17:01] I've not seen it.

[01:17:03] I think.

[01:17:06] Film.

[01:17:06] Film makers here.

[01:17:07] Should also.

[01:17:08] Do project.

[01:17:10] Get at the global community.

[01:17:12] And send it to festivals.

[01:17:12] As much as it's tough.

[01:17:14] And festivals are expensive.

[01:17:15] Most of the festivals.

[01:17:16] The traditional festivals.

[01:17:17] Are expensive to send it to.

[01:17:18] But just.

[01:17:19] Give the global community.

[01:17:21] A test.

[01:17:22] Of.

[01:17:23] What we can do.

[01:17:25] By doing projects.

[01:17:27] That you know.

[01:17:27] You've gone all out.

[01:17:29] Projects that.

[01:17:29] I actually keep telling my.

[01:17:30] Film making friends.

[01:17:31] Is this.

[01:17:32] We cannot come and do film.

[01:17:33] And try to.

[01:17:34] Do.

[01:17:35] Our cities.

[01:17:36] Show them our cities.

[01:17:37] And towns.

[01:17:38] And how beautiful.

[01:17:39] Our casa.

[01:17:40] Or the tech.

[01:17:41] We have.

[01:17:42] We don't.

[01:17:42] We don't have such.

[01:17:44] They will always beat us.

[01:17:46] Let's go back to our grassroots.

[01:17:47] Let's do something.

[01:17:49] Did that 80.

[01:17:50] Show them.

[01:17:50] Okay.

[01:17:51] This is how.

[01:17:52] Show like.

[01:17:52] I love.

[01:17:53] The Queen of Ketua.

[01:17:55] Yes.

[01:17:56] I loved.

[01:17:56] Queen of Ketua.

[01:17:57] It told a story.

[01:17:58] About the chess girl.

[01:17:59] That I.

[01:17:59] I love stories like this.

[01:18:01] Because there are stories.

[01:18:02] That connects.

[01:18:03] To a community.

[01:18:05] I wish it could do more.

[01:18:07] Stories that connect.

[01:18:08] To our community.

[01:18:09] Stories that tell.

[01:18:10] About our community.

[01:18:11] Because.

[01:18:12] This is what people want to know.

[01:18:13] They want to know what makes.

[01:18:15] Authenticity.

[01:18:16] Authenticity.

[01:18:17] They want to.

[01:18:18] Yes.

[01:18:19] Filmmaking.

[01:18:19] Authentic stories.

[01:18:21] Authentic stories.

[01:18:22] Yeah.

[01:18:22] I love.

[01:18:22] Because right now.

[01:18:23] What we see on YouTube is.

[01:18:25] Romance.

[01:18:26] No problem.

[01:18:27] Yeah.

[01:18:28] That's.

[01:18:29] Yeah.

[01:18:29] When I see that.

[01:18:30] Yeah.

[01:18:30] You get fed up after a while.

[01:18:31] You really.

[01:18:32] Sometimes.

[01:18:32] Want to know.

[01:18:33] And people connect with you.

[01:18:35] When you're authentic.

[01:18:35] Like I'll start telling you.

[01:18:36] About my food stories.

[01:18:38] My food stories.

[01:18:39] Are all about me.

[01:18:39] With my grandmother.

[01:18:41] When I was young.

[01:18:42] So.

[01:18:42] Sometimes I'll write about grilled fish.

[01:18:44] And it will take me back to.

[01:18:46] You know.

[01:18:46] Growing up with my grandmother.

[01:18:48] And then from there.

[01:18:49] And then remember.

[01:18:50] Oh.

[01:18:51] This country.

[01:18:51] And this country.

[01:18:52] And this country.

[01:18:52] Does grill fish.

[01:18:53] You know.

[01:18:54] And people.

[01:18:54] People are really.

[01:18:55] What I'm just saying.

[01:18:56] Is that people want to connect.

[01:18:58] They're not.

[01:18:59] They don't want the.

[01:19:01] I mean.

[01:19:02] There's a place for everything.

[01:19:03] There's a place for romance.

[01:19:04] There's a place for mystery.

[01:19:05] There's a place for.

[01:19:07] All of this.

[01:19:09] But yeah.

[01:19:10] Connection.

[01:19:10] Authentic connection.

[01:19:11] Is important.

[01:19:12] You know.

[01:19:13] Yeah.

[01:19:14] I just.

[01:19:14] I just finished watching.

[01:19:15] A Japanese film.

[01:19:17] A film.

[01:19:17] Just set in Japan.

[01:19:18] Because I like watching things.

[01:19:19] About food.

[01:19:20] Oh.

[01:19:21] I love Japan.

[01:19:22] I would love to travel to Japan.

[01:19:23] It's called the Grand.

[01:19:24] Grand.

[01:19:25] Mason.

[01:19:27] Tokyo.

[01:19:28] And it's about a recipe.

[01:19:29] These people in Japan.

[01:19:31] Trying to open a.

[01:19:32] A high-ended French restaurant.

[01:19:34] In Tokyo.

[01:19:35] It was brilliant.

[01:19:37] 11.

[01:19:37] 11 episodes.

[01:19:39] I.

[01:19:39] I crushed it.

[01:19:41] I want more.

[01:19:42] Netflix.

[01:19:43] Give me more food stories.

[01:19:47] Yeah.

[01:19:47] No.

[01:19:48] So yeah.

[01:19:48] That was brilliant.

[01:19:49] It was so authentic.

[01:19:50] It just.

[01:19:51] The reason why I loved it was.

[01:19:53] It showed.

[01:19:55] You know that there's.

[01:19:56] You know.

[01:19:56] If you don't go into.

[01:19:57] Someone's culture.

[01:19:58] I'll see behind the scene.

[01:20:00] You only see.

[01:20:02] It showed the fun side of Japan.

[01:20:04] I was able.

[01:20:05] That's the first time I'll see.

[01:20:06] The fun side of.

[01:20:07] The Japanese.

[01:20:09] They were so funny.

[01:20:11] You know.

[01:20:11] There was fun.

[01:20:12] There was sadness.

[01:20:13] There was crying.

[01:20:13] There was all sorts in there.

[01:20:15] But I saw the fun side.

[01:20:16] That's the first time I'll see.

[01:20:18] It wasn't even a comedy.

[01:20:19] But that was the first time.

[01:20:20] I saw that fun side.

[01:20:22] So that's how important.

[01:20:24] This.

[01:20:24] These stories are.

[01:20:25] You know.

[01:20:26] Not polished.

[01:20:28] Romantic stories.

[01:20:29] And all that.

[01:20:29] You know.

[01:20:30] We need more than that.

[01:20:32] Anyway.

[01:20:33] We've.

[01:20:34] Goodness.

[01:20:34] We've gone way past.

[01:20:36] Time.

[01:20:37] So.

[01:20:38] Wow.

[01:20:38] Now.

[01:20:41] What is the most important.

[01:20:42] Message.

[01:20:44] Filmmakers should convey to their.

[01:20:45] This is my final question.

[01:20:47] To their audience today.

[01:20:50] We talked about authenticity.

[01:20:51] Didn't we?

[01:20:53] Yes.

[01:20:53] We talked about authenticity.

[01:20:55] Yeah.

[01:20:56] For a filmmaker.

[01:21:00] I think.

[01:21:01] What I want to.

[01:21:01] Most of the stories I tell.

[01:21:02] Let me use my films as an example.

[01:21:04] In case.

[01:21:05] The Denobi is not out publicly.

[01:21:06] We're trying to get distribution partners.

[01:21:08] For Denobi.

[01:21:08] Yeah.

[01:21:10] It was on physical and.

[01:21:12] Physical abuse.

[01:21:14] It's a story about physical abuse.

[01:21:17] Oh.

[01:21:17] It's physical.

[01:21:18] Okay.

[01:21:19] So abuse.

[01:21:20] Physical and mental abuse.

[01:21:21] Oh gosh.

[01:21:22] The mom is dead.

[01:21:23] The stepmom.

[01:21:24] The dad married.

[01:21:25] And then had to go.

[01:21:26] Search for greener pastures.

[01:21:27] And left the guy with the stepmom.

[01:21:29] Oh no.

[01:21:30] The stepmom kind of.

[01:21:31] Got instigated to start.

[01:21:34] Feeling like the guy hurts him.

[01:21:36] And then.

[01:21:38] And my friend told me about those three.

[01:21:39] In 2021.

[01:21:41] And I could connect to it.

[01:21:43] Because we've had stories like this.

[01:21:45] It's something that we're used to.

[01:21:47] Yes.

[01:21:47] And it's not hidden.

[01:21:48] It's not hidden.

[01:21:48] It's as much as.

[01:21:50] I can't come telling a story about.

[01:21:52] Gun fights in Nigeria.

[01:21:53] Because how many times do we do gun fights?

[01:21:56] We don't really do gun fights.

[01:21:58] The police are having the guns anyway.

[01:22:00] Yeah.

[01:22:01] As much as the actions are there.

[01:22:03] But then.

[01:22:04] Yeah.

[01:22:04] Things we can relate to.

[01:22:06] Yeah.

[01:22:06] So these are things that.

[01:22:07] These are kind of the stories I want to tell.

[01:22:09] I want to tell stories.

[01:22:10] People will be like.

[01:22:11] Oh.

[01:22:13] Stories that.

[01:22:14] You watch.

[01:22:15] And it takes.

[01:22:15] I like stories that are cultural.

[01:22:17] I love cultural stories.

[01:22:19] I love stories that tell about.

[01:22:20] A tribe.

[01:22:21] I want to watch a film.

[01:22:22] And they speak here.

[01:22:23] But.

[01:22:24] The way Koreans.

[01:22:25] We push their films down on us.

[01:22:27] They.

[01:22:29] And they speak Korean.

[01:22:30] From the beginning of the film.

[01:22:31] To the end.

[01:22:32] And they're using.

[01:22:33] I can.

[01:22:34] Because of.

[01:22:34] Because I've watched so much play drama.

[01:22:37] Yes.

[01:22:37] Amida.

[01:22:39] I can.

[01:22:40] I can speak a bit of.

[01:22:41] You know.

[01:22:41] Yeah.

[01:22:43] I can.

[01:22:44] Yeah.

[01:22:44] Even when I was watching.

[01:22:45] Watching the Chinese.

[01:22:46] So we.

[01:22:47] We should have been.

[01:22:48] You know.

[01:22:50] Yeah.

[01:22:51] So.

[01:22:52] Yeah.

[01:22:52] So.

[01:22:52] We need to.

[01:22:54] You know.

[01:22:55] They keep saying.

[01:22:55] Culture is a people's way of life.

[01:22:58] That.

[01:22:59] I think that's a decision.

[01:22:59] That I was given in primary school.

[01:23:00] Culture is a people's way of life.

[01:23:02] Like.

[01:23:02] We should be able to show.

[01:23:03] Our way of life.

[01:23:04] Through.

[01:23:05] The picture.

[01:23:06] We put on the screen.

[01:23:08] Yeah.

[01:23:09] Our way of life.

[01:23:10] Not.

[01:23:10] Right now.

[01:23:11] Yeah.

[01:23:11] And then.

[01:23:11] We should be also.

[01:23:12] Be able to tell.

[01:23:13] The story about our past.

[01:23:16] Yeah.

[01:23:16] Our present.

[01:23:17] And where we are going to.

[01:23:18] We have a future in view.

[01:23:20] What are we looking forward to see?

[01:23:22] As much as I know.

[01:23:23] Nigeria is the way it is.

[01:23:24] I plan on making films that show.

[01:23:27] As much as I know.

[01:23:28] There is no perfect society.

[01:23:29] There is never a perfect society.

[01:23:31] But I think that.

[01:23:32] Because these films affect humans.

[01:23:34] Like I watch.

[01:23:34] I grew up watching films.

[01:23:35] I remember those days.

[01:23:36] When I watched a Chinese Kung Fu film.

[01:23:38] I feel like I'm Jet Li or Jackie Chan.

[01:23:41] Ready to fight.

[01:23:43] I'll just get like.

[01:23:45] It's like crazy.

[01:23:46] And so those.

[01:23:48] I feel these things.

[01:23:49] Affect the man.

[01:23:50] The mind.

[01:23:52] So Izoo.

[01:23:53] Thank you so much.

[01:23:54] For talking to our audience today.

[01:23:56] It's been very.

[01:23:57] Very informative.

[01:23:59] All the works you've done.

[01:24:01] You know.

[01:24:02] In the grassroots.

[01:24:03] We look forward to.

[01:24:04] Connecting with you in the future.

[01:24:06] Following your journey.

[01:24:08] And collaborating.

[01:24:09] All these people that you named.

[01:24:11] Every one of you.

[01:24:11] If your head is today.

[01:24:12] He wants to work with you.

[01:24:14] So.

[01:24:15] Work with him.

[01:24:16] Now where can.

[01:24:17] Our listeners connect with you.

[01:24:19] Which platform.

[01:24:20] Are you most active on?

[01:24:23] I'm very active on LinkedIn.

[01:24:25] I'm very active on LinkedIn.

[01:24:27] As much as I have.

[01:24:28] Instagram.

[01:24:29] Facebook.

[01:24:29] And Twitter.

[01:24:30] Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:31] You can search.

[01:24:32] Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:33] On Google right now.

[01:24:34] I think I'm.

[01:24:35] Since I started filmmaking.

[01:24:36] I noticed.

[01:24:37] The more I search myself.

[01:24:38] The more I see.

[01:24:39] More of myself.

[01:24:40] I saw a lot of.

[01:24:41] On you.

[01:24:42] On Google.

[01:24:42] So.

[01:24:43] You can send me a message.

[01:24:44] On Instagram.

[01:24:45] Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:46] On.

[01:24:47] Or Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:48] At Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:50] Of Jullo.

[01:24:50] Okay.

[01:24:51] At Izoo of Jullo.

[01:24:53] Of.

[01:24:53] Jullo.

[01:24:54] Jullo.

[01:24:54] Jullo.

[01:24:55] Jullo.

[01:24:55] J-U-L-O-B.

[01:24:56] Okay.

[01:24:57] L-O-B.

[01:24:57] Yeah.

[01:24:58] So.

[01:24:58] Thank you so much.

[01:24:59] I really appreciate you.

[01:25:01] Coming today.

[01:25:02] And.

[01:25:02] Thank you.

[01:25:03] See you next time.

[01:25:04] Thanks a lot.

[01:25:05] Bye.

[01:25:06] Bye.