MEET OROLABI, THE TALENTED FILM DIRECTOR

On this week’s edition of celebrography, Waheed Olamilekan, popularly known as Orolabi, speaks with AFAS PRESS’ Olanshile Ogunrinu about his career, aspirations and other issues.

AFAS Press: Can we meet you, who is Orolabi?

Orolabi: I’m Waheed Olamilekan popularly called Orolabi, I’m a 300 level student of theatre arts. I’m also a theatre producer, voice actor, language translator, and someone whose main objective is to use his talent to improve society.

AFAS Press: Since when have you been interested in Theatre? Arts and all that it entails.

Orolabi: When I failed UI screening into law in 2016, I went back home to prepare for another UTME, and while at home, I learned broadcast journalism and painting. I was doing well. So I thought it’d be a waste of time to study a jealous course like law; it will take away my crafts. Then theatre became the best course that could accommodate my crafts. I opted for it in 2017, but I needed 1.26 to make it for theatre arts. But in 2018, I got into the theatre, and since then, it’s been a beautiful ride.

AFAS Press: So tell us about your first project and motivation behind it.

Orolabi: When we talk about Yoruba films that will remain evergreen, Saworoide tops the list of them all. I grew up with reality.

I do not like to do regular things. My instinct told me to adapt that film to a stage play and be the first person to stage the legendary movie in Nigeria. Fortunately for me, I saw the novelization of the film written by the late Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola. I started working on it and succeeded in adapting it to a play text. I got permission to stage the play from the wife of the writer with the help of one of my beautiful lecturers, whose name I won’t like to mention.

And glory be to God, the dream was achieved on June 4 and 5, 2022. We staged JogboTuntun, an adaptation of Saworoide which is the first of its kind.

AFAS Press: On what scale can you rate its success?

Orolabi: 90%. It was a two-day show that registered about 1000 audience members. The message was clear and till now, people still talk about the show for good. Every member of the team is fulfilled.

AFAS Press: That brings us to your upcoming project Embers, we’ve been seeing the flyers everywhere, what’s the inspiration behind it.

Orolabi: The 2023 elections are coming, and we all need political sensitization and some kind of eye-opening information about our country. Asides, Embers isn’t talking about the government alone; it’s talking about me and you. If we’ve ever had any questions about ourselves and how we relate to people and politics, Embers is a play to see.

Orolabi Productions is doing its part to impact society through Embers. The writer wrote what we all, as Nigerians, can relate to. After seeing the play, I’m sure that we’d all get home that night and ruminate on life and find a lasting solution to a lot of questions, which will in turn change our lives for the better.

AFAS Press: Now that is really deep. When will it be staged, venue, tickets and date?

Orolabi: It’s going to be staged in February 2023 at the Wole Soyinka Theatre, university of Ibadan. There is an invitation card for 5k. Regular for 1k and VIP for 3k.

We do not have a date yet because of department policy. Soon, we’d announce the dates for the performances when it’s approved.

AFAS Press: How has getting funding for your projects been? How do you raise funds as a student, directing and your academics? How are you juggling it without one disturbing the other and how has it been like?

Orolabi: One of my greatest challenges as a creative is raising funds. My last production was possible because I prepared for it for more than a year, so I spent all my savings on it. It was also possible because of the support I got from my mentors, lecturers and my friends. My lecturers provided me with some of the materials I needed for the production, while some of my friends supported me financially.

In the creative world, it’s quite difficult for upcoming producers to get sponsorships from brands. I attempted to write proposals to more than 10 brands, but only ‘Egbe Atelewo’, a Yoruba cultural group, supported me with some money and encouraged their members to see the play. In the beginning, I almost quit. But I didn’t. And everything fell into place at last.

Directing is one thing I love to do. It’s a journey that I wish to embark on at every given opportunity. It gives me joy and fulfillment. And academics, on the other hand, cannot be separated from directing productions because that’s what I major in as a theatre arts student.

When we did Jogbo Tuntun from the stable of Orolabi Productions, ASUU was on strike, so I did not have any clashes with my academics, and every member of my beautiful team was ready to work, so there was no challenge about that. As for Embers, we are trying our best to balance both academics and rehearsals so that neither will affect the other.

AFAS Press: Who are those filmmakers in the industry that really inspire you and what is/are your biggest aspirations as a filmmaker?

Orolabi: Kunle Afolayan and Tunde Oladimeji (popularly known as a documentary filmmaker, one time winner of AMVCA). For the second question, as a director, my ultimate goal is to create stunning films that explore a variety of subjects, go deep into our cultural history, and make money for my team and me. My name and my creations will live forever as a result.

AFAS Press: Thank you Orolabi. It has been so interesting speaking with you.

Orolabi: It’s my pleasure too. I’m grateful for the opportunity.