I Want To Tell Stories That Make People Feel Something - Desmond Ekunwe
In this edition of Nollywood BTS with Filmmakers Mart, we speak with film producer, Desmond Ekunwe about his backstory, filmmaking complications and his solutions for the industry's biggest issues.
Nollywood really started paying attention to film producer, Desmond Ekunwe in 2023 when a film he produced, The Delectable Azeezah Sama made a splash at the Edo State International Film Festival.
The film, which is currently on a cinema run, signalled the creative’s official entrance into the Nigerian film industry and as he tells In Nollywood, it solidified his belief in being able to grow a thriving film career. With an interesting backstory that features a long-term radio and television producing career, Ekunwe is approaching Nollywood with fresh eyes and an attention to detail honed by years of pulling off landmark live audiovisual projects.
In this interview, he shares his Nollywood behind-the-scenes story, fears and plans going forward.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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How did you get into producing?
Media, generally, started for me in 2012 when I got into the University of Benin to study Mass Communication because I wanted to be on television but I didn’t get it so I chose History and started interning at a radio station.
I interned for four years, then moved to Lagos where I worked on my own show before getting a full time producing job. I realised I started liking the behind the scenes which moved me to pivot completely into producing, with television first and now, film.
What is it about producing that called out to you?
I am a first child and there’s this need to always overprove myself. Producing gives me this kick. For example, there was a day when a big celebrity was supposed to be on Rubbin’ Minds but they cancelled one hour to the show. I found a replacement, with all the rush that comes with the process, a few minutes before the show went live.
A guest cancelling does not cancel the show. It’s a live show. It’s things like this that give you the rush. It is exciting. Like, dealing with people, sourcing for funds to make projects work and putting the entire thing together. I enjoy it.
There’s a sense of fulfilment when things eventually work out.
Why filmmaking? You’ve had a very interesting television and radio run.
I started my filmmaking journey in 2021. I had been interested in it for a while because I really want to be a part of telling solid stories. I kept watching films and realising that things could be better so I decided to jump into the business to play my part, bringing my experience from other areas of media.
I was speaking with a few of my friends who were producers about interning on their sets. They initially thought I was joking then EbonyLife started its academy and I applied. I told myself that getting in would be a confirmation that I could do this. I got in, got time off and support from my former office to attend. That was the beginning of my journey as a film producer.
So, what was the first film project you worked on?
I have worked on three major projects so far and I also tell myself that The Delectable Azeezah Sama is my first project.
Let me just say that a lot of people in Nollywood are out to use you. People knew I was coming from a ‘privileged’ television producing background and were just trying to get what they could without appropriate compensation.
I took the jobs because I wanted to better my craft but they oftentimes did not want to cough out any money for production. I had to source almost everything from my networks for next to nothing. It hit me one day that I was depleting my network for people who didn’t care enough and didn’t want to credit me properly for the project.
So, I decided to do my own stuff. My current business partner pitched a product to me and I decided to jump on it. We worked on multiple drafts of the story and are now making a feature together. Everything just works. It is a proper collaboration with each of us understanding our individual roles in it and committing fully.
You worked on a project that was recently screened at the Edo State International Film Festival. What was that like and how did you make the decision to be part of that project?
So, the story first stands out to me and I think about how important it’d be to people. Does it touch people? Can people connect with it?
The film, The Delectable Azeezah Sama, is about domestic violence, and it focuses specially on the people who don’t speak out about it because they are worried it’d affect their brand.
It was very human to me from the beginning and the characters did not feel mannequins. Production-wise, it was very contained and we utilised the resources we got.
Let’s talk about the behind the scenes of production. What part do you absolutely enjoy?
I enjoy the pre-production process a lot. The meetings, strategizing, resourcing and navigating the Director’s ‘unrealistic’ expectations is really fun because you get to really outline what you need, sometimes disagree with the Director till you get to a common ground for the good of the project.
I also love the process of assembling a team and I think your production is as good as the people you work with. The production process is also cool because if you get pre-production right, the production is easier to navigate.
What are the complications involved in filmmaking in Nollywood? Which did you anticipate?
Funding is a big problem which I anticipated and as I have grown in the industry, it gets crazier on this front. At first, you are able to get your family and friends to support you, then your vision gets bigger and so does the funding you need.
I did not anticipate people not knowing how to do the work they claimed to do. Talent is a big issue in Nollywood. It’d make you compromise a lot on quality if you are not intentional.
I am still learning and I think it should be the same mindset for everyone. We should be uncomfortable with not perfecting our craft. People are too focused on one thing, after making it big there, and forget to upskill.
We also need to collaborate more and people should play more to their strengths. This is the only way we can build Nollywood to a point where it is exciting and attracts the global audience in the scale that music has.
What can we expect from you going forward?
I want to make films that make people feel something. I currently have a project out on Africa Magic made with my colleagues from the Africa Magic Talent Factory. It’s called Grown.
There are other projects to work on and we are looking for the resources but yeah, for me, it’s about telling stories that make people feel all the different ranges of emotions. So, when I’m telling a sad story, you should feel like the sadness has enveloped you. When I’m telling a very happy story, you should feel that emotion.
This series is jointly presented by Filmmakers Mart, the leading film logistics marketplace in Nollywood.