Bolaji Hassan may not be the face you are familiar with on your screen when you watch movies or music videos, because he is one guy that works behind the camera to give a FirsT-class job. He is the brain behind November 11 series, Ajeromi, Alaanu mi and a host of other videos. He is intelligent, skilled and approachable. In this interview with ‘OGEFASH BLOG’, he tells us how rigorous and rewarding being a video director is. Excerpts
OGEFASH: A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON YOU
BOLAJI HASSAN: My name is Bolaji Hassan. I am a graduate of Sociology at the University of Abuja. I am a film maker
OGEFASH: WHY DID YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN THIS FIELD
BOLAJI HASSAN: All my life, I have always wanted to be an actor but since I’m not a fine boy and I still have much love for the movie industry I decided to find my way in.
OGEFASH: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST BEING A VIDEO DIRECTOR AND HOW REWARDING IS THE JOB
BOLAJI HASSAN: I’m the kind of person that likes to keep to my self. But when I’m at work I get the opportunity to manage and mingle with different people. Concerning the reward the job brings, I was the best director at the 2016 Lagos 48hours film project. I have other few nominations including ‘Abuja film festival’ and ‘AFRIFF’
OGEFASH: WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF BEING A VIDEO DIRECTOR AND HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM ABOUT YOUR WORK?
BOLAJI HASSAN: There was a time when I had to direct two actors that are celebrities. The actors don’t see eye to eye (I wish I could mention names.)
Ninety percent of people that criticize videos and movies don’t know how difficult it is to make a movie. Basically, what I say to them is “No one deliberately makes a bad movie” even the worst movies took time, money and energy to make .
OGEFASH: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR AS A VIDEO DIRECTOR
BOLAJI HASSAN: Shooting an entire project with first time actors.
OGEFASH: WHAT IS YOUR BEST WORK SO FAR? WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE GOTTEN TO THE PEAK OF YOUR CAREER?
BOLAJI HASSAN: Alaanumi by Lildot (music video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6uZ7goS7O0
I’m yet to get to the peak of my career, I am still learning
OGEFASH: HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE WORKS OF VIDEO DIRECTORS IN NIGERIA COMPARED TO OTHERS OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY?
BOLAJI HASSAN: In Nigeria ROI (return on investment) in any business is not guaranteed, I think that’s why people don’t invest much in movies. So as a director u have to work with what u have.
OGEFASH: HOW DO YOU WORK? WHAT ARE YOUR WORKING HOURS? PERSONAL HOURS? AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DIRECT?
BOLAJI HASSAN: 24/7 back 2 back. It actually depends on what we are shooting; it could be Soap, Music video, Feature film or Short film.
OGEFASH: HOW DO YOU RELAX?
BOLAJI HASSAN: I watch movies or get tipsy (very little alcohol 000.0001)
OGEFASH: HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CAREER WITH THE FAMILY?
BOLAJI HASSAN: It’s hard but I try
OGEFASH: AS A VIDEO DIRECTOR, WHAT PUTS YOU OFF IN OTHER VIDEOS?
BOLAJI HASSAN: Like I tell people “If you don’t have a story, you have nothing”
OGEFASH: CAN YOU TELL US SOME OF YOUR WORKS AND WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
BOLAJI HASSAN: The last semester. November 11, Ajeromi (Wrath of the orisha)
OGEFASH: WHICH BRAND WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTNER WITH?
BOLAJI HASSAN: Any telecommunication company or record label
OGEFASH: WHO ARE THOSE YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE INDUSTRY?
BOLAJI HASSAN: Director X, Clarence Peter’s
OGEFASH: HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT ARE ATTRACTED TO YOU?
BOLAJI HASSAN: We handle eachother
OGEFASH: DO YOU MENTOR PEOPLE? HOW CAN THEY CONTACT YOU?
BOLAJI HASSAN: Yes I do
FB Bolaji Hassan
IG @that_Bolaji_boy
Twt @that Bolaji boy
OGEFASH: HOW DO THOSE INTENDING TO ACT GET TO YOU?
BOLAJI HASSAN: FB Bolaji Hassan
IG @that_Bolaji_boy
Twt @that Bolaji boy
OGEFASH: ADVICE TO THOSE THAT WANT TO BE VIDEO DIRECTORS?
BOLAJI HASSAN: There is no perfect time. if u are waiting for the perfect time u’ll end up doing nothing
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