INTERVIEW: "I Want to be One of The Most Outstanding Directors",Fast Rising Nigerian Director,Ibrahim Shuwa

Video directing as very important in the entertainment industry especially music can never be overemphasized. Their creativity in arranging a well crafted concept in interpreting an idea in a video form helps to have a better grip of hidden ideas in musical lyrics. More young people are beginning to usher into this creative industry and one of such is the fast rising director Ibrahim Shuwa. Below is an excerpt from an interview with the very talented director. 

Q: When did you become interested in working as a video director, and what influenced your decision to pursue this career?

A: I started to develop interest in film making in the year 2016, when i watched an American movie and I was like what is this, those guys pay attention to details when making movies, then I said to myself I believe I can do it and even do better. I want to set the pace in the business of video directing.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a video director?

A: I want to achieve a lot in the industry 

Which if I start to list we may not leave here 

And most importantly I just want to be one of the most outstanding directors not just in Nigeria or Africa, but the world at large.

                  Ibrahim shows at work

Q: Can you discuss your favourite movie or TV show and what you like about it from a director's perspective?

A: My favorite movie is “Mudbound” very cinematic and well composed with good lighting, every frame in the movie is cinematic the DP did a very great job if I may say .

Q: What experience do you have with video editing and production software tools?

A: Every Director has where his strength is ,

I think video editing is one of them for me 

Been editing for the past 4 years even though I'm still new in the game ,I know I have learnt a lot in the past few years, currently I'm an in-house editor to popular music video Director “Director Mattmax,

And I think it's a dream come true working with such creative and talented individual.

Q: How do you stay fresh when your inspiration is low, and you don't feel highly creative

A: I just take a walk to see things around me and cool my head.

Q: What is the biggest mistake you think other directors make while shooting?

A:  Every Director has his own direction and perspective , so I don’t think there’s a mistake. What I might see as a mistake in another director's work, might be the key move to him.

Q: What is your source of inspiration when choosing a creative story?

A:  Majorly Nature, it's embodiments and things around me.

Q: Of all the artists you've worked with, Which do you consider as your best?

A: All that I've worked with so far are amazing and I really appreciate all of them 

For believing in me,and I believe I never let them down.

Q:  What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

A: My biggest challenge was when I first started and none of my family members supported me ,thinking I'm just wasting my time,at some point my dad stopped me from shooting videos, because I was doing  a whole lot of free jobs then,so I had to sneak out of the house just to go and shoot without anybody knowing, but when they saw the passion and zeal in me, and the fact that I wasn't planning to give up or stop for any reason,

They were left with no other choice than to allow me do my thing. 

Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far?

A: Seeing my self already becoming who I've always wanted to be.

Q: What do you do to stay calm when project is not going as planned?

A: I will say that is a normal thing in this industry most especially here in Nigeria ,

You will arrive locations and the next thing boys will come from nowhere disturbing ur set 

Most of the time things wont go well on set , for me I always got a plan B to fall back to anytime.

Q: What type of work environment do you prefer to work in?

A: I enjoy working in an environment where the members of the team have a strong sense of adaptability.

Q: What do you find most difficult about being a director?

A: I don’t think  there's any, cause when u love what u do and the passion is x 100 

I don’t think u will notice any, even if there is

Q: If a model or vixen is being unprofessional, how do you manage the situation?

A: Most times I think  they may not be comfortable , so I talk to them And make them feel comfortable.

Q: If you need to convince your team about the idea of a new concept, how would you go about it?

A: Before I come up  with and idea I will make sure I have 70-80 percent assurance that it will be acceptable that is why most of the time the idea is always a go ahead.

Q:How do you interact with displeased clients?

A: Most of the time I notice that only if it's my first time working with them such happens 

So mostly I always accept their ideas and merge it with mine.

Q: Tell me about how you effectively communicate your direction to the cast and crew on set?

A: Before I go on set, I normally have a meeting with my crew,we discuss the possible outlook of next day’s shoot and how to effectively work,i make my casts understand the role they're to play in the shoot.Through this,we’re sure on our roles and works on set.

Q: What's your message to upcoming directors and people who look up to you?

A: One thing I say to my self everyday is that no one was born with it, if they can do it I can do it , so if I can do it you can do it too.