Nollywood screen diva, producer, and serial entrepreneur Tayo Sobola returned to the spotlight, dropping new movies after a brief hiatus, proving why she remains one of the most sought-after forces in African cinema. In an engaging interview recently, the multi-hyphenate star opened up about the release of her new film projects, her secrets to sustaining long-term relevance in a fast-evolving industry, and why compelling, authentic storytelling remains the non-negotiable heart of her craft. ROTIMI IGE presents excerpts.
Your ‘Osun Dagbonu’ is currently streaming on your YouTube page, why did you feel the need to have a cinematic experience with fans first?
For me, it was just another regular time out with my fans, like you said, the movie is showing on my YouTube channel and I just wanted some fans to see it on a bigger screen because it’s a different feeling when you watch a movie on your mobile phones and when you get to see it on cinema screen. Also, I wanted to get real-time feedback from the audience and all that was said is what we will take to the table towards making another good movie of this kind.
We had four days of cinema experience with the fans and lovers of my brand and I can tell you for a fact that we got different feedbacks from the audience. Also, some of the cast members on ground also had the opportunity to connect with the fans.
A good production of such magnitude deserves to go to the cinema; why the choice of YouTube for this?
First off, what I shot with ‘Osun Dagbonu’ is a complete cinema-standard movie from start to finish but it’s my personal choice to take it to YouTube and see how it is done over there. We have recorded over two million views in four weeks and still counting and for me I am satisfied with that achievement and more to come being my second movie on YouTube. Since cinema experience, people enjoyed the entire production, from the set designs, good picture quality, amazing sound track and acting and above a relatable script. For me I am glad I took the decision of taking the project to YouTube.
Four days of free cinema experience and gifting would have cost you a lot, how were you able to do that smoothly for four days?
Yes, it costed a lot to do that for four days back-to-back but it just about proper planning; I was very sure I can pull it off doing free private cinema screening and at the same time making sure my guests were very comfortable. My guests’ goody bags were made possible as result of sponsors from my inner caucus and believer of my brand and what I stand for.
Also, if you watch the movie very well, you will notice the projection of real estate brand ‘T-Pumpy’. I infused them into the movie production without informing the CEO. After the production, I took the movie to his house for a watch view to celebrate their wedding anniversary and when they saw how I projected the T-Pumpy brand, they were so impressed and there I was given the sum of N20 million! Is that not part of my profit already? I equally did private screenings for some other people too. You just have to be strategic with whatever you are doing.
There must have been some challenges while shooting the movie; will you like to share any with us?
Well, I wouldn’t want to see them as challenges because my director spoke about it too because some aspect of the film is spiritual; at some point during production I didn’t know what I was doing because, according to my director, I was off and that is what you will notice at the last part of the movie, I was meant to say something but I couldn’t that is why they laid a voiceover on the scene to complete it.
I have read a lot of reviews on the project and people saying life is spiritual; To you, do you believe in the school of thought that life is spiritual?
To so many, that phrase reads several meanings and the context to which it is used also matters. For me, I can relate it in so many ways, that there is more to living than material success; in another context, I can say that everything happening in the physical world is merely a reflection of activities in the unseen spiritual realm.
For instance, we as humans should stop being bitter when our counterparts are doing well in their respective field; rather than being envious, why not walk closely with the person so that you can achieve yours because we don’t carry the same grace.
You were away for almost four years, were you not scared of coming back?
Never! I took a break and when I was about to resume fully, motherhood humbled me. The truth is whether you leave the industry for years or not; the good works and the personality you carry will speak for you whenever you are back. I was never scared of my comeback because I know what I carry as a brand. Now that I am fully back, I have worked on other people’s project and personally I have only released a few movies on my YouTube channel to test the ground and the response have been very impressive. I am fully back to what I love doing.
What should your fans be expecting from you?
We have a lot that we are working on this year and we are just taking it one step at a time, we started with ‘My Dad, Your Mum’ and now ‘Osun Dagbonu’ that is currently trending with over two million organic views. Other projects are in the pipeline as we are commencing shoot for another big project soon.
These new projects are they also going to YouTube or cinema?
YouTube! The truth is I just want to make good film and make it easily accessible to people irrespective of the size of phone they carry. Not everyone can afford to visit cinema but your phone is on the go; so, let me stick to that.
The industry is growing at a fast pace with every filmmaker executing cinema projects, are there plans for you to do a cinema project?
Doing a cinema job isn’t a joke, not that I don’t have the capital to do it but for me, I don’t have the energy for cinema runs because it will require one to visit different cinema outlets and states to do promotion and I don’t have strength. I want to sleep at my own convenience and wake up when I like. Shoutout to those doing cinema project, you are all doing amazing and also kudos to us that also decide to take our works to YouTube.
Female filmmakers are taking the lead in the creative space, how does that making you feel a female filmmaker?
I feel excited to be witnessing all the good things we females are achieving in the industry. Gone are those days when the female is taking the back seat but presently, we have secured the front row and not going back again. Females are taking up big projects, shattering box office records and empowering other deserving female filmmakers. I am happy that we have woken up and are taking lead, embarking on professional trainings to be better in our craft.
As a filmmaker, how important is it to have a community that supports?
Having a community that supports you is good because the truth is, a lot of people will not tell you the truth that they got support from people. People always like to keep credit for themselves. They won’t tell you that this person who supported me. They’ll tell you, I sold my gold, my land. For me, I did not sell any gold or land. I put in my capital to do a good production and when people saw it, they commended the effort and how relatable the storyline was. They extended their support as way of saying I did well.
In your own opinion, is there any key element that makes a film do well on YouTube?
There are no special elements really but the driving force for any movie to do well across every streaming platform is having a good story to tell. Your script should be very good and engaging, work with a right set of people and you will thrive.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
