‘Shortage of fund should provoke your creativity’

The Christian Talent Community (CTC), Nigeria, is a platform for Christian talents of diverse kinds. On its whatsaap platform, the group recently engaged a Cinematographer, Producer, Director and Consultant, Uzodinma Okpechi, the CEO of Primary Productions Limited on issues bothering on talent development, filmmaking and marketing. The chat room, coordinated by the Chief Responsibility Officer of CTC, OBUS ZALEE BRODOH, provided opportunities for members of the group to ask several questions pertaining to filmmaking, which was the subject of the day. In this interview, among many other instructions, Okpechi told artistes that inadequacy of money should make them more creative. Excerpts:

OBUS ZALEE: Sir what can talents do to shoot a video that will at the least attract curiosity and airplay because marketers and consumers seem to determine volume of sales.

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Film making is a mindset. The mindset to go and shoot yet another film, or the mindset to go and shoot a damn good video. Depending on which mindset you are operating on determines the outcome of the job. As filmmakers it is always good to study your environment and the way people interact.

OBUS ZALEE: Has our interaction got anything to do with the content we include in our package?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: In doing so, you are confident in your analysis of what they will like or reject; the dance culture, what triggers their fancy and the fashion sense. Yes it does.

OBUS ZALEE: How would you describe a typical good music video?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: A good music video must be relatable to the song, except off course it’s abstract. Picture texture and quality have to be really good. It should have well-rehearsed choreography if any. Then costumes, make up, video vixens, hairdo and fashion sense have to be really well done. Then your spectacle which is your signature has to be imprinted on it.

OBUS ZALEE: What role does expenditure play?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Some music videos come with drama, For any creative person, money should be an incentive. The inadequacy of money should make you more creative. That implies that if you then have more money, you will altogether have a better job. So not having enough money should not be an excuse of not having a good gig. It depends on your crew’s mindset, your mindset as a talent and ultimately your director’s mindset.

DAYO EMMANUEL: Some people believe once they haven’t shot their videos in South Africa or Europe, then it is not good enough. They also judge other people’s videos by this criterion. Please what’s your take sir?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: That’s not true. Location of shoot can enhance your video depending on the way it’s used. A good video is a good video irrespective of locations or clime. Don’t let anybody put your work down. Having shot a good video, what makes media house like “Soundcity” to term video not up to standard? When they use the word ‘not standard,’ they are usually referring to picture quality or the performances or production values of the video. Sometimes it is a gimmick to make you put your hand in your pocket.

SEYI OBA: What minimum cost do you think one can use to shoot a good video?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Minimum cost will depend on your concept.

OBUS ZALEE: In the place of gospel music videos, how important are “ramatazz?”

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Contained razzmatazz is good for gospel videos. It’s always good to play with the  mind of the audience.

OBUS ZALEE: What qualities would you advise talents seeking corporate or mega endorsement deals to have?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Patience, dedication to craft, building a fan base on social media portals and the fear of God.

DAVID EZE: Sir, which camera and lens do you think is the minimum standard?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Minimum standard is any camera that can shoot full HD. 1920×1080.

Go for Prime Lenses. They are more professional.

OBUS ZALEE: Can poets and those who do spoken word, capture their products for marketing? What is the prospect?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: They can. The prospects are very much online. Once they gain acceptance, they will get there. But people outside Nigeria will appreciate them more for now. So, online will be the way to go for poetry and spoken word.

OBUS ZALEE: Your final advice for talents?

UZODINMA OKPECHI: Confidence is one of the biggest character traits of a good director/filmmaker. It’s a good time to be a filmmaker. Filmmaking is an art, yet it is also formulaic. This formular of shooting good jobs is only available to those who seek beyond their noses.

*Edited by Dayo Emmanuel