•To Direct Their Movies Right Now
Over the years, Star Movie director/Filmaker, BIODUN STEPHEN has proving to be the best in doing what she knows how to do best. Her name is in many people’s mouths now. She’s in hot demand now, as many producers and filmmakers want her to direct their movies.
Her dedication to her job is really working for her as we speak. The success of IYABO Ojo’s new movie, Labake Olododo and many outstanding movies from her stables has catapulted her career to another level entirely. Who is this beautiful lady that is now the rave of the moment? Biodun Stephen is an award winning film director, producer and writer with notable films in her portfolio. She founded Shutter speed Projects; a content production company in 2012 and have since created numerous and globally acclaimed entertaining and inspiring films and series. Over the past decade, she has created heart-felt human angle stories that draw inspiration from both her personal experiences and her environment. Biodun’s experience in advertising, copyrighting and radio has been immensely influential in her career as a film maker. She is firm believer of film being a vehicle from entertainment, communication and education. One of her indispensable approaches to storytelling and film; is creating strong memorable characters that embed themselves in the audience and inure beyond the viewing experience. Characters like “Jobe” in Picture Perfect, “Todowede” in Breadedlife and “Sista” in SISTA, remain fan favourite till date. She focuses on bringing out the best in her cast while paying attention to production details.
Biodun Stephen is inspired by the human experiences and look to continually telling impactful stories through film. Her most recent work MOMIWA screen, pulls all the heart’s strings with brilliant performances and delivery from the cast. She is currently developing new projects with a view to international collaborations in Europe and the Americas. She believes her stories should be global and is determined to explore these possibilities to continually create magic on the screens
Recently City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN had a chat with her and she revealed why she’s the toast of many movie producers now. Excerpt.
You directed Labake Olododo, How do you feel when you hear the reviews and people’s feedback?
Thank you so much for the question. Well, we are very happy that at least all of the work that we put in is being appreciated by the audience. You know, at the end of the day, no filmmaker wants to make a film for themselves. They hope to make it for the enjoyment of the audience. And if the audience appreciates it, then our work is literally done.
We did go through a lot and we are happy that all of the months of planning, talking through the film — this was like a whole full year in planning, to be honest. So we’re just happy that all of that effort, gathering the best minds, trying to do something different particularly because when you hear about epic films like King of Thieves, Jagun Jagun, and the like, you just assume it’s war we want to fight there. But we’re happy that we were able to layer Labake Olododo’s story with love, romance, drama, family dynamics, and betrayal.
And I think those are some of the concoctions we put together that really make it different and unique. So we’re very excited as a team, and even for me as a director, because it’s my first time directing an epic film of this scale. I’m just grateful that Iyabo trusted me with this film. It paid off at the end of the day.
It’s obvious that Biodun Stephen is the toast of many producers and filmmakers. You have directed and produced fantastic movies out there. How do you raise the bar?
To be honest, I am my only competitor. And I think that’s the first thing. I’m not trying to be somebody else. I’m not trying to compete with somebody else. I’m just trying to build my own record. So for me, I see every movie as my first time making a film. I don’t see any movie as something I’ve done before. I see every project as this movie — this is the first time I’m being given the opportunity. So I attack it as if it’s my first time. I attack it as if this movie is the one that’s going to change my life. So I think that’s something that has really kept me going.
What about the inspiration? How do you draw some of this inspiration, getting some of these things done perfectly?
You know, to be honest, I think as a filmmaker, it’s important that you are inspired by everything around you. I’m inspired largely by day-to-day living. Everybody I see, everyone I talk to — this conversation I’m having, people who work for me, whether it’s my handyman, my painter, my mechanic — I always ensure that I absorb and soak in as much as I can get from them. All of those elements are what I many times put into my film.
And I watch films. I watch everything. I read everything. I read newspapers. I watch documentaries — just to constantly keep myself inspired.
So what do we expect from you this year?
This year, currently I have a film on circuit, and I’m enjoying massive reviews. And then we have Labake Olododo. Of course, my YouTube channel, Biodun Stephen, Honest With Me TV, is doing very well.
But what’s coming next to the big screen, to the cinemas, is Aso Ebi Diaries, and that’s coming next week Friday.
