'I have never been starstruck', movie producer, John Chizoba Vincent

The entertainment industry is a tree of many branches with tentacles deep in every sector of the economy. Hence, it's not out of place to see many people put in a lot of hard work to create infusions of simplicity smeared with laughter-inducing memes and complexity through short informative and educative videos on social media. John Chizoba Vincent a native of Nkporo, Abia state; a graduate of mass communication,   a filmmaker, screenwriter, cinematographer and film director in his early days may have thought acting was his thing but like the peculiarity of the versions of the love and betrayal stories we hear, his acting skills always betrayed his love and passion for the craft. Marla Gibbs did say 'I truly believe everything that we do and everyone that we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; ... if we're willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks...' and that today is his testimony.

In this interview with Yamilenu Bamgboye, he shares his experiences in the entertainment industry and how much impact his craft has made. Do enjoy!

Was film production your first love, how did it start?

Growing up, I wanted to be many things. There was a time I wanted to be a musician. I wrote many songs which are still in my diary. But I never got the opportunity to go to the studio to voice it. So, I started growing up. Then, I saw that Acting could do but I ended up not becoming one because many Auditions I attended, I was never chosen. I could remember I attended the Tinsel audition for almost 7 times which is seven years and I was never chosen. I attended every other audition in Lagos and outside Lagos but wasn't chosen. So, there was a day I performed on stage at UNILAG with other actors. After the performance, someone, a producer and director called me off stage and said to me that acting is not in me that I should look for a different profession. That alone killed that dream of becoming an actor. But then, I love creating things. I have always loved creating things so, I said I have to be one of those creators out there.

Before then, I had wanted to be a professor and write many books, though I still write but I  never get to be a professor. I had many things I wanted to be and when those things didn't come to pass, I found myself having interest in Filmmaking. It was fascinating seeing the movements of the camera, being engaged by the storylines and many other things which are involved in making film. So it was the wonders or fascinating factors that drew me to it as a creator. Like I said earlier, I have always loved creating something.

Funny how Providence chooses our paths for us. Now that you are here, how has it been?

It has been a journey, an experience, a learning process which involves ups and downs. You just have to live with it when you understand how it works and how to manage it From all angles.

What project did you handle and felt after all, should have done it better?

Every project comes in such a manner. Like after seeing what you have done as a filmmaker, you will always have this urge that a particular scene or scenes should have come in different forms or directions. So, as a filmmaker, it is not peculiar to a project. It has to do with all the projects you must have handled. Because you have to see it after post production as the director or producer or anything else. In this process of seeing it, this urge must come in. It will surface and there is nothing you can do about it because you won't go back to the field to reshoot. Rather you will improve in other projects that are yet to come.

Have you ever been underrated by the big wigs (actors) in film directing?

No. The industry needs money. So, if you have money, you can get anyone you want in the industry either the big wigs or the small wigs. The only  thing that happen is the person been on another job that is when he or she might be a little difficult if you can't wait.

Ooohk. Your own project which you run on Youtube, how did that come about?

Can you rephrase?

I mean you run a series on Youtube (Resident 38), right? And it's 100% yours, right? How did that come about and why did you choose Youtube and not Netflix or Showmax, etc.?

It is purely something I feel I could do on my own. I needed to tell a story, a story about so many things. So, I had to start from somewhere. There are stages or phases to this. Many of the projects I have run are solely sponsored by me. YouTube is easier to come by this time around and people are trooping in and out of it on a daily. For now, I have to utilize the space and see how far we can go. As for Showmax and Netflix, I  will definitely have my movies there some day.

Take us down memory lane. How did you handle your first project at the time you probably didn't have enough experience?

Afraid. I was afraid. Many things were in my mind: how would people see this. What will be their reaction. What if I mess up everything.

But you didn't?

Yeah. The first job I did personally was in 2018 and it was a music video. The guy paid 120k and while I was shooting that video I was afraid that might not meet up with his demands but there was this friend of mine. He understood my fears. He came to me and whispered these words to my ear: YOU CAN DO IT and I did. The video came out well. However, every project comes with its own problem.

Have you won awards with your creativity?

Awards aren't really my drive but it is enjoyable to get mentioned or recognised. I remember that between 2017 and 2019, I was nominated by EGC Magazine as one of the poets to watch out for from Nigeria and in 2018, BN Magazine shortlisted me as one of their top ten poets. 

For filmmaking, Black Pride Magazine has shortlisted me five times as one of their top ten Indie Filmmakers to watch out for from Nigeria and I have been profiled two times by Profiling-NG as one of the top ten cinematographers making impact among the youth with my docuseries: Lives and Personalities. Also, my short documentary about the Biafran war, co-directed By David Odaise, was screened at the 2022 AFRIFF film Festival and my short film: Distraction, co- directed by Olams was shortlisted and screened in a film festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2021. 

How would you like people to see or describe your works? 

I tend to make my work relatable from Resident 38, A Quiet Storm, Language Of Door, Beyond Dreams, Touch my Pain, Cold Thing,  Happiness Does Not Live Here to the scripts I write for other directors like Love Can Be Weird, When Love Hurts and others. Mostly I write and make films that are relatable, from a place of experience. A film that people can watch and relate it with their immediate environment or what they have been through and how they were able to come out of it. I think that is what life is all about. You're faced with a problem and situation beyond your control and your ability to come out that problem is the key. So, whenever I set out to write or create anything, I  want something that people can be able to relate with in their lives. The last project I did, Resident 38, involves an Alaajo man who made away with people' s money to treat his dying daughter who needs a major Surgery. He had no option. Nobody  to run to. The only hope he had was the money people had saved with him and he made away with to treat his dying daughter. This, actually happened in the area I was before in Aba.

You have a thing for poetry, how is it going for you these days?

As for Poetry, It is something I can't do away with. I keep writing. I am planning on getting my poetry chap book out to the world very soon.

Have you ever been starstruck?

No. I see everybody as the same whether a celebrity or not. What I look forward to is the value we will gain from each other.

Which directors do you look up to and how have they influenced your career?

I love Niyi, Kayode Kasum, Kemi Adetiba, and a whole lot of others. Niyi Akinmolayan is one film maker I will go over his film as many times as I can. Then, the master himself, Izu Ojukwu. I have been watching his film right from the days of Desperado till now. I love  historical films like 76. I think there are many other directors both home and abroad I can't really start listing here but then, they all have their Peculiarities and directions. I love Loukman Ali from Uganda too. I have seen a couple of his films .

Which actors do you really desire to work with and why?

Actors? I will like to work with the likes of Ramsey Nouah, RMD, Nancy Isime, Genevieve Nnaji, Kanayo O. Kanayo. Wale Ojo, Joke Silver, Funke Akindele and lots of them in the near future. I grew up watching these veterans and they are good, great actors.

What lessons has life taught you?

Be humble but to a fault. Don't ever take anything for granted. Even if it isn't worth anything today, it will be worth something tomorrow. 

What fantasies do you have about life?

Can you rephrase this? I don't seem to get it.

I mean things you wish you had but don't have and only dream of

There are many things as a Film Maker one wishes to have but once they are not there, you have to go for option B. Seriously, I wish I could have a better camera of my choice and then enough light and other gadgets at my reach. I could just pick them up whenever I need them. But now, I rent most of the equipment I use in production and they are expensive. The day you don't have money to rent or to push a production, you have to hold it aside till there is money. So, I always wish that most things needed for production could be at my disposal and then, there are enough sponsors on every project that matters. This would have to push the project farther than you as an individual can.

How do you get sponsors for big projects?

Sponsorship can come from different Angles. It could be from Individuals, Firms, corporate bodies and so on which must in one way or the other involve a deal between you and them.

About Lives and Personalities, what does it aim at achieving?

Ah! You know about this one?

Yeah, watched few stuff on it.

Lives and Personalities is a documentary series which I host mostly for creatives out there. It tends to document the lives of creative people out there whose voices have not been heard or yet to be heard. There, they talk about themselves and what they do and how they start with their Career as creatives. Right now, we are in Chapter Sixteen.

How do you market the films you produce?

Most of the films I have produced are marketed and distributed through YouTube Channels and some of them have gone on television stations like African Magic. So, I am looking forward to having my films soon on digital Platforms like Amazon prime, Netflix and the likes. This is what I'm actually working towards to achieve in no time. 

What kind of woman catches your fancy?

Educated but simple and smart women. Slim ones would make a good choice for me.