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Omoni Oboli: How I Traded Scripts for Film Roles and Became a Director

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Omoni Oboli, a well-known actress and filmmaker, recently shared the story of her early struggles in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how she traded her scripts for acting roles when starting her career.

In a candid interview on Radionow FM, she opened up about the challenges she faced and what eventually inspired her shift from acting to directing.

Omoni explained that in the beginning, she was so eager to be part of the industry that she often accepted acting roles in exchange for her written scripts, instead of being paid.

Reflecting on those early experiences, she shared, “I would offer my scripts in return for a role in the movie.

I would tell them, don’t worry about paying me, just give me a part in the film.”

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While this allowed her to secure acting jobs, she soon noticed that the final productions were not aligning with her creative vision.

As a screenwriter, Omoni described how she visualized the stories she wrote in vivid detail.

However, after watching the finished movies, she realized that the films often looked very different from what she had imagined.

She acknowledged that each director has their unique style, saying, “It’s not that the movies weren’t good, but no two directors will bring a script to life in the same way.”

This gap between her vision and the final product fueled her desire to take control of the stories she was creating.

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Omoni’s determination to preserve the authenticity of her scripts pushed her to become a director herself.

She realized that the only way to ensure her stories had her personal touch was to oversee the filmmaking process from start to finish.

“If my stories are going to have my DNA, then I have to be the one directing them,” she explained.

Though the thought of transitioning from actress to director was daunting, Omoni’s confidence in her abilities propelled her forward.

She recounted telling herself, “Warri no dey carry last,” a popular saying in Nigerian Pidgin that means people from Warri, her hometown, never back down from a challenge.

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This motivated her to believe that she could succeed as a director. Determined to improve her skills, Omoni began studying the directors she worked with while on set, closely observing their techniques.

In addition to learning through observation, she recognized the need for formal training.

To strengthen her craft, Omoni enrolled in a short course at the prestigious New York Film Academy, where she gained deeper insights into the world of directing.

Her journey from trading scripts for acting roles to becoming a successful director is a testament to her resilience and dedication to mastering her craft.


 

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Entertainment

Joey Essex and Jessy Potts Split

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Love Island Couple, Joey Essex and Jessy Potts, have ended their relationship after seven weeks of dating. The couple confirmed their split in a joint statement, expressing hopes to stay friends. Jessy reflected positively on their time together and looked forward to new opportunities.

Joey, who initially paired with Samantha Kenny and then Grace Jackson on *Love Island* season 11, shifted his focus to Jessy when she entered the villa. Despite their strong connection, their relationship was questioned by other Islanders before they were voted off. Joey and Jessy continued dating after the show, even attending the National Television Awards, but ultimately decided to part ways.


 

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Oxlade Reveals Cultist Threats Behind Dropout

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Nigerian singer Oxlade revealed he dropped out of Lagos State University (LASU) in his final year due to threats from cultists. He explained that gangs targeted him because of his looks, forcing him to leave school and later run away from home, unable to tell his family the real reason.

In an interview on the *Tea with Tay Podcast*, Oxlade shared how his grandmother unknowingly saved his life by urging him to come home to Ibadan. Shortly after he left, his roommates were attacked by the gang. He acknowledged that LASU has since improved its focus on academics and safety.


 

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Pheelz: “Music is Divine, Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme”

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Nigerian artist and producer Philip Kayode, popularly known as Pheelz, has expressed his belief that music should not be viewed as a get-rich-quick scheme, a perception held by some people.

He emphasized that music holds a deeper, more spiritual significance beyond financial gain.

According to Pheelz, music is a divine force that brings healing and serves as a connection to higher powers.

He further explained this idea on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he shared his thoughts on the essence of music.

In his words, “Music is not a grind. It is not a hustle or a shortcut to wealth. Music is life, it is feeling, healing, and ultimately, music is God.”

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In a separate post, Pheelz also shared his view on the music industry, distinguishing the art of music and the business side of it.

He suggested that while music itself is divine, the music business is humanity’s way of trying to commercialize something that stems from a higher power.

He described the music business as “man’s attempt to commodify God’s energy” while maintaining that the essence of music itself remains sacred.

This perspective is noteworthy in the context of Afrobeats, where many up-and-coming and established artists have often cited poverty and financial struggles as key motivations for their careers.

Pheelz’s message seems to offer a different approach, urging both artists and listeners to recognize music as a spiritual journey rather than just a means to financial success.

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