Why I traded scripts for roles at start of my career—Omoni Oboli

Famous Nollywood filmmaker Omoni Oboli has shared a glimpse into the early struggles of her career, revealing how she gave away her screenplays in exchange for acting roles.

During an interview with RadioNow 95.3 FM, monitored by R, Oboli recounted the difficult decisions she made when trying to break into the film industry, which ultimately led her to become a director.

Oboli opened up about how, early in her career, she would often offer her scripts for free, just to secure a role in films.

“I was trading my scripts,” she said. “I’d say, you know what, just take it, don’t pay me. Just give me a role in the film.” While this strategy helped her gain acting opportunities, she began to notice a disconnect between the stories she wrote and how they appeared on screen.

“I realised it wasn’t quite what I had in my head when I was writing. I write in pictures, and I see what I’m writing, but when I watched the movie, it was so different,” she explained.

Although she acknowledged that each director brings his own style to a project, Oboli felt that if her stories were going to truly reflect her vision, she would have to take control and direct them herself.

This realisation marked a turning point for Oboli, pushing her towards filmmaking. However, she admitted that the decision to step into the director’s chair was not without its fears. “It was a scary thought,” she confessed.

“Really, who do you think you are to come and direct a film? It was so scary, but then I said to myself, ‘Warri no dey carry last.’”

Despite her initial doubts, Oboli began to study the craft of directing by observing directors while she was on set as an actress.

She explained how she closely watched their methods and took notes, preparing herself for the challenge. “I started understudying directors, like I’m acting on set, but I’m watching the director closely,” she said.

Determined to refine her skills, Oboli decided to pursue formal education in directing. She enrolled at the New York Film Academy for a short course to further her understanding of the filmmaking process.

“I said, you know what? Maybe I need some formal education on this,” she added.

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