A Filmmaker's Guide to Authenticity with Sele Got
Embracing one’s vision is paramount for filmmakers, as articulated in this episode of the Naija Filmmaker podcast. I delve into the significance of possessing a clear and distinct vision, which serves not only as a guiding compass but also as a differentiating factor in a saturated industry. Each filmmaker, whether they occupy the role of director, cinematographer, or actor, possesses a unique perspective that informs their artistic choices and narrative constructions. I emphasize the necessity of overcoming self-doubt and nurturing one's vision through personal experiences and environmental influences, which ultimately shapes the authenticity of one's work. The episode culminates in a reminder that genuine narratives, derived from individual experiences, resonate more profoundly with audiences, thereby reinforcing the importance of steadfastly protecting one’s creative vision.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
- In the realm of filmmaking, one must possess a clear and compelling vision that guides their creative endeavors and decisions throughout the artistic process.
- A filmmaker's vision is not merely a personal aspiration, but rather a synthesis of their unique experiences, identity, and the socio-cultural environment they inhabit.
- Embracing one's vision is paramount, as it not only distinguishes a filmmaker in a competitive industry but also infuses their work with authenticity and depth.
- The journey of a filmmaker is characterized by the necessity to confront and overcome self-doubt, continuously refining their vision through practice and experiential learning.
- Collaboration is essential in the filmmaking process; however, it is crucial to maintain fidelity to one’s vision to create impactful and resonant narratives.
- Timeless filmmaking emerges from a vision-driven approach, which resists the allure of transient trends and instead focuses on profound storytelling rooted in personal experience.
Resources:
https://www.instagram.com/selegotfilm/
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Other episodes you'll enjoy:
https://thenaijafilmmaker.com/episode/the-filmmakers-mindset-w-sele-got
https://thenaijafilmmaker.com/episode/nollywoodsuccess
https://thenaijafilmmaker.com/episode/filmfestivals
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Transcript
You're welcome to the Niger Filmmaker, a podcast about Nigerian filmmakers, their films, and how we can build a diverse and functional industry.
Speaker A:I'm your host, Saleh Gott.
Speaker A:On this episode, I'm going to be talking about embracing your vision.
Speaker A:If you're a new listener, you're welcome and I hope you enjoy.
Speaker A:So a vision is a clear picture of what you want to do, where you want to go, or the impact you want to have.
Speaker A:For every filmmaker, whether the director, the cinematographer, the art director, or the actor, everyone has a vision for how they want to do a particular thing of film.
Speaker A:And you know, it can be personal and artistic.
Speaker A:And this is the compass that guides the choices that these filmmakers make.
Speaker A:And it's informed by, you know, their unique, their unique voice and what they have to say.
Speaker A:As a filmmaker, you need to trust your vision because it matters and it sets you apart in a saturated industry.
Speaker A:So talking about an actor, an actor can, you know, bring their personal experiences and their, you know, abilities to a project and this definitely will set them apart.
Speaker A:So whether the, the actor can speak a foreign language or whether they have been in that situation before, bringing, you know, that unique voice, that unique experience will set them apart.
Speaker A:So embrace your vision.
Speaker A:You need to overcome self doubt and feed this vision with personal experiences, your unique identity, and then also your environment.
Speaker A:If this vision is not clear, you can find it by practice, failure and experimentation.
Speaker A:You have to remember that this is a journey and you need to accept that the vision can change or grow without it losing its essence.
Speaker A:Audiences sense genuine narratives and vision driven work often resonate deeper because it is pulled from the richness of people's experiences and their unique makeup.
Speaker A:You can protect your vision as a filmmaker by standing firm in what you believe, but also collaborating.
Speaker A:Vision driven filmmakers often create timeless work as opposed to copying passing trends.
Speaker A:In order to keep speaking with your unique creative vision, you need to keep comparison at bay as it can dilute your creative direction.
Speaker A:And one thing you owe the world is your unique perspective.
Speaker A:As a young filmmaking student in film school, I started writing before I got into film school.
Speaker A:But in film school, you know, my teachers pushed me to do harder exercises and you know, write hada scripts and all.
Speaker A:And there was this particular project, the second project, it was like a four minute film and it was actually an eight minute film.
Speaker A:And for a long time things weren't so clear in terms of what I was trying to say with this story.
Speaker A:And for some reason, you know, my, like the script editor, my tutor told me to, you know, just go home, think about it and you know, I guess add to what I've written and you know, when I went home, I think I deleted most of what I had already done and there was just this burst of creative energy.
Speaker A:And when I was done with it, it was totally unrecognizable.
Speaker A:And when I showed my teacher, he was really impressed.
Speaker A:From then on, you know, he always kind of reminded me that, you know, I'm capable of great things.
Speaker A:And for me, you know, all these years after film school, it's always a reminder about what I'm capable of doing.
Speaker A:And even when things get difficult, I always hold on to this encouragement because, you know, there are times that for me as a director or maybe as a writer, I won't feel like I have anything unique to say.
Speaker A:But, you know, things are not straightforward.
Speaker A:You have to go through that whole creative process and, you know, refine the idea it is that you have and at the end of the day you have something to say.
Speaker A:So, yeah, don't be discouraged if anybody has ever advised you or like, maybe you've met a fan and they told you how, you know, your film changed their life.
Speaker A:You know, hold on to that and use it as a reminder to always kind of stand up for what it is you want to say, what it is that you believe in.
Speaker A:So as you work on your next project, I hope you quieten the self doubt and amplify what it is that you have to say to the work.
Speaker A:We have come to the end of this episode.
Speaker A:Remember to rate and review the podcast.
Speaker A:You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and X elegofilm and the podcast at njafilmpur.
Speaker A:You can now support the podcast by clicking on the link in the show notes.
Speaker A:See you on the next episode.
Speaker A:Have a good one.
