‘My new movie will generate global conversations’

Akorede Alli was born and raised in Lagos from the royal family Akinsemoyin. After getting his film director’s degree and being voted the best director amongst his colleagues in class, he started his own film production company called Modern-Eko Household Entertainment. He moved to America to continue his education in film making and advanced cinematography and further his career as a film director, actor, executive producer and producer. He soon began his Hollywood-based production company Modern-Eko Studio and returned to Nigeria, where he filmed his first Yoruba movie. In a recent chat with Friday Treat, he spoke about his journey so far.

Tell us about your background. What was growing up like?

I grew up in Chevron Estate, Satellite Town, Lagos in a simple Muslim family. We had our ups and downs and at times there seemed to be more downs than ups, but our faith and strong family bond got us through.

What inspired your decision to become a filmmaker?

I’ve always known I wanted to be a filmmaker. At age 10, I started seeing different pictures in my head. I remember using my small, still camera and taking different pictures, then putting them together to create a story

The name, Modern Eko, was it born from the fact that you are one of the few original Lagosians?

Yes, back in the days when seated amongst the elders like my father and his friends, they would always include me in their conversations and marvel at my perspectives. So, right there I started thinking that I’m the new era, the   modern one. When I was about to start the production company, it was easy to pick a perfect name for it.

Filmmaking is a quicker road to fame than making money. What was your family’s attitude to your decision to foray into the dicey waters of Nigerian entertainment?

My family has always been supportive from day one. They were literally my first audience and saw my interests early on. Their support sustains me to this day.

So far, how many movies have you made?

One, titled ‘Ran Mi Lowo’ which was shot earlier this year in Lagos, Nigeria.  It paraded  notable actors like Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi), Debo Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni), Tina Mba, Toyin Alausa, Jide Awobona and Omowunmi Dada, among others.

Filming with these creative personalities was an experience that remains endearing. With all the energy and commitment put into the production, my movie has the capacity to initiate global conversations among filmmakers.

 Some assume that many young filmmakers have some sort of trust fund to fall back on if things don’t work out, or that they are from wealthy backgrounds that act as a cushion in the event their ventures don’t pan out, which in turn gives them the courage to be daring in their exploits. Tell us, is that the case with you?

Trust fund, ha! That’s not the case for me, I had to work hard and I am still working. As a youth,  I was a motor boy for a pure water truck, going from Festac to Oriole and Ebute Metta etc, to deliver satchet water. Let me tell you this, I knew a girl back then, she told me her mother was looking for a driver to drive her to school, Babcock, and asked if I knew anyone. I said yes and on the day the driver was to show up to drive her to school, when they opened the door, it was me! I needed the money and worked on different film sets for free.

I was a sales boy in a shoe store for women on Lagos Island and even worked in a salon, buying hair in Balogun and back to Ebute Metta. When I moved to America, the hustle continued. In New York, I worked as runner in a hookah lounge, then as a server, cook, bicycle food deliverer and a kitchen receiver. When I moved to Los Angeles, I worked as a driver for two different companies, also as a pastry chef, dishwasher, line cook, food delivery company and best boy. So, to answer that question again, that wasn’t the case for me.

Of your many designations, actor, filmmaker, director, and production executive, which would you say is your forte?

Why choose? I love and thrive in all aspects of filmmaking.

As a filmmaker, what qualities do you look for in your cast?

Professionalism is paramount.

Speaking on investment, do you believe Nollywood as an industry is ready for external investors seeing as we don’t have enough data or structures in the industry to give accurate ROI information?

We all know Nollywood is huge and it’s bigger than any one individual and the sky is big enough for all birds to fly, it shouldn’t be focused on certain people. External investors can and have already started coming in and they will lay down their own structure, since Nollywood refuses to have a structure.

What catches your attention in a script?

I’m drawn to scripts that are thrillers/suspense themed.

Who are the big names in Nollywood you would like to work with someday?

Genevieve Nnaji, Sola Sobawale , RMD.

With Nollywood getting huge partnerships with Netflix and other top global platforms, are you tapping into any of the deals soon?

I’m positive about it and I see the deals coming, so fingers crossed.

Recently, Kemi Adetiba raised the alarm on the pirated copies of her latest movie “Return of the King”, despite that it is showing on Netflix. What are your concerns about that as a filmmaker?

Of course, there’s a real concern. Who doesn’t want to fully profit from their hard work? Piracy is an unfortunate consequence of this business.

Content marketing has been a major concern for most content owners. How are you prepared to handle this as your movie is set to be released?

I’ve hired a marketing firm to handle that aspect of the film

Looking back at everything, are you proud of what you are becoming in the filmmaking world?

Absolutely. I’m proud because It’s been a long journey to get here and I still see myself like I haven’t done anything, because there’s still a lot to be done.

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