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THE BEST OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS COMES FROM THE EDITING SUIT…. VIDEO DIRECTOR AKIN ALABI
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| AKIN ALABI |
He was part of the first set of cinematographers that
first graced out T.V with very good musical visuals, his creativity unrivalled,
his sight for concepts is simple excellent. With the suave of a gentle man,
Akin Alabi can be referred to as a man with the Midas touch. However, his
collection of works has carved a niche for him in the cinematography business. As
part of his vast talent, he teamed up with his wife with the stage name ‘T.I.V’
and they both recorded a song titled ‘KOMOLE’, a song that enjoyed massive
rotation both on radio and TV. Not few knew that he is also a very skilled
author as his collections of works soon to be published was endorsed by His Imperial
Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi the Ooni of Ife. In this Exclusive Chat
with the Publisher of CitySpy , SOFOWORA OLADAPO, The Ekiti state born cinematographer, spoke extensively
about how his passion and creativity paved way for him despite the massive
Influx of cinematographer in the industry.. Excerpts
first graced out T.V with very good musical visuals, his creativity unrivalled,
his sight for concepts is simple excellent. With the suave of a gentle man,
Akin Alabi can be referred to as a man with the Midas touch. However, his
collection of works has carved a niche for him in the cinematography business. As
part of his vast talent, he teamed up with his wife with the stage name ‘T.I.V’
and they both recorded a song titled ‘KOMOLE’, a song that enjoyed massive
rotation both on radio and TV. Not few knew that he is also a very skilled
author as his collections of works soon to be published was endorsed by His Imperial
Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi the Ooni of Ife. In this Exclusive Chat
with the Publisher of CitySpy , SOFOWORA OLADAPO, The Ekiti state born cinematographer, spoke extensively
about how his passion and creativity paved way for him despite the massive
Influx of cinematographer in the industry.. Excerpts
Who is
Akin Alabi?
Akin Alabi?
Akin
Alabi is a creative person, I studied business admin in University if Ilorin
currently a video director, photographer and an artist. A father and hail from
Ekiti state, growing up was interesting and challenging because I was
encouraged to go into the art as a child, I was given parental support. What
made it interesting was attending a boarding school federal college Ido-ani
Ondo state. In school you have different types of character around you but you
have to be able to carve a niche out for your self and be able to survive. That
helped me to survive in the outside world.
Alabi is a creative person, I studied business admin in University if Ilorin
currently a video director, photographer and an artist. A father and hail from
Ekiti state, growing up was interesting and challenging because I was
encouraged to go into the art as a child, I was given parental support. What
made it interesting was attending a boarding school federal college Ido-ani
Ondo state. In school you have different types of character around you but you
have to be able to carve a niche out for your self and be able to survive. That
helped me to survive in the outside world.
Apart
from cinematography, you also sing and produce; how did you discover you could
do all that?
from cinematography, you also sing and produce; how did you discover you could
do all that?
When I
was in my final year in the university, I discovered my passion for music. I
started writing songs, and also recorded an album same year. In the year 2003,
I had to halt in other to focus on cinematography, so, that was what I am known
for up till date.
was in my final year in the university, I discovered my passion for music. I
started writing songs, and also recorded an album same year. In the year 2003,
I had to halt in other to focus on cinematography, so, that was what I am known
for up till date.
As a video director, creativity, is a key factor, where
do you draw your inspiration from?
do you draw your inspiration from?
My
environment. I like looking around, when i see anything that inspires me, I
take note of it. When a video comes up I just go back to what I saw and bring
something out of it. I also get inspired by other creative work also done by
people. Basically, anything beautiful inspires me.
environment. I like looking around, when i see anything that inspires me, I
take note of it. When a video comes up I just go back to what I saw and bring
something out of it. I also get inspired by other creative work also done by
people. Basically, anything beautiful inspires me.
It is widely said that cinematographer don’t give an
artist a say when directing videos, what can you say as regarding that?
artist a say when directing videos, what can you say as regarding that?
You
have to find a balance, most times, the director know more than the artist.
Sometimes, the artist have an idea to be infused into a video, but most times
the artist have to meet with the director to find a common ground on how the
video will look like. Whenever, an artist has a concept that is achievable and
its still within the budget I go along and actualize it.
have to find a balance, most times, the director know more than the artist.
Sometimes, the artist have an idea to be infused into a video, but most times
the artist have to meet with the director to find a common ground on how the
video will look like. Whenever, an artist has a concept that is achievable and
its still within the budget I go along and actualize it.
You
have an institute where you teach student on cinematography, photography and
graphics can you tell us how far it has gone?
have an institute where you teach student on cinematography, photography and
graphics can you tell us how far it has gone?
I hold a workshop every year tagged ”Light, camera,
action”. Basically, it is passing knowledge I have gained over the year to
upcoming directors, its an avenue to express myself, every time I get demand
for tutoring. I also go to higher institutions to present papers. I teach cinematography
in the school of journalism and photography lagos state University (LASU).
action”. Basically, it is passing knowledge I have gained over the year to
upcoming directors, its an avenue to express myself, every time I get demand
for tutoring. I also go to higher institutions to present papers. I teach cinematography
in the school of journalism and photography lagos state University (LASU).
What
does it takes to have Akin Alabi on your set?
does it takes to have Akin Alabi on your set?
‘Chuckles’… ‘Pauses a little bit’, You must be financially buoyant and a good
song.
song.
We have
a lot of cinematographers and video directors what is that thing that makes you
distinct?
a lot of cinematographers and video directors what is that thing that makes you
distinct?
My ability to study nature, my ability to use natural
light to create something out of nothing. My ability to capture moment in time
both interior and exterior. I was one of the person that started making
exterior video popular.
light to create something out of nothing. My ability to capture moment in time
both interior and exterior. I was one of the person that started making
exterior video popular.
It is widely accepted that the best directors come from
the editing desk how true is it?
the editing desk how true is it?
It is
partially true, I also come from the editing desk. I was an editor before I
started directing. It helped because if the director have an editing
background, he should be editing in his mind, it helps you manage time,
apparently, you don’t shoot what you won’t eventually use. It helps to save
time and stress. Its cool when a director has a wide knowledge on editing.
partially true, I also come from the editing desk. I was an editor before I
started directing. It helped because if the director have an editing
background, he should be editing in his mind, it helps you manage time,
apparently, you don’t shoot what you won’t eventually use. It helps to save
time and stress. Its cool when a director has a wide knowledge on editing.
You
published a picture collection book and you titled it ”Point of view” what is
the rationale behind it?
published a picture collection book and you titled it ”Point of view” what is
the rationale behind it?
It is my point of view on how I see the country. We see
the country from different sides but I see it from a total different angle when
I travel. For 3years, I have been documenting everywhere I travel to. Point of
view, is a collection of all the picture I have taken across Nigeria. It would
soon be published for sale and exhibited to.
the country from different sides but I see it from a total different angle when
I travel. For 3years, I have been documenting everywhere I travel to. Point of
view, is a collection of all the picture I have taken across Nigeria. It would
soon be published for sale and exhibited to.
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| AKIN ALABI ON SET |
For Akin Alabi, what makes a good cinematographer?
You
must have creative eyes, ability to visualize things even before it
happens. You must possess artistic prowess. Ability to master your tools. if
you are not able to convey any image in your heart into what everybody can see
then the creativity is useless.
must have creative eyes, ability to visualize things even before it
happens. You must possess artistic prowess. Ability to master your tools. if
you are not able to convey any image in your heart into what everybody can see
then the creativity is useless.
Your
personal relationship with you and your team?
personal relationship with you and your team?
Most
people around me are undergoing training so I let people see what I do. I don’t
do thing in a clandestine way its is open to everyone to learn from.
people around me are undergoing training so I let people see what I do. I don’t
do thing in a clandestine way its is open to everyone to learn from.
How
does your wife cope when you travel to work?
does your wife cope when you travel to work?
She is coping, sometimes we travel together. She has a
mutual understanding about my work.
mutual understanding about my work.
Can you
recall the first video you ever shot?
recall the first video you ever shot?
Nature
from black, title of the song ”Waiting Day” and it was shot for 20,000 naira.
from black, title of the song ”Waiting Day” and it was shot for 20,000 naira.
What
video can you regard as your best work?
video can you regard as your best work?
For me
I will say two of them one is ”Kaba Kaba” by Konga.The second is Komole by
T.I.V.
I will say two of them one is ”Kaba Kaba” by Konga.The second is Komole by
T.I.V.
You have had series of nomination in video directing how
many have you won?
many have you won?
In 2001,
I got the award for best video director City people, best gospel RnB video last
year, NMVA best use of choreography in the song Komole.
I got the award for best video director City people, best gospel RnB video last
year, NMVA best use of choreography in the song Komole.
How interesting do you find movie production?
I shot a drama series titled ”Ring of fire”,
I have shot and directed movies for people. I will shoot my own personal movie
soon. Its quite interesting and I enjoy my job
I have shot and directed movies for people. I will shoot my own personal movie
soon. Its quite interesting and I enjoy my job
Where do you view Akin Alabi years to come?
I see
my work being more appreciated, they get to see the other side of me apart from
cinematography. I hope to have released more music and photography years to
come. I will be a force to reckon with in Nigeria and the World.
my work being more appreciated, they get to see the other side of me apart from
cinematography. I hope to have released more music and photography years to
come. I will be a force to reckon with in Nigeria and the World.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I play
the keyboard and produce music that how I relax.
the keyboard and produce music that how I relax.
Advice to youth who want to be a cinematographer
Be focused, hardworking,
make use of your time very well, don’t get discouraged easily find a mentor to
guide you, and believe in God.
make use of your time very well, don’t get discouraged easily find a mentor to
guide you, and believe in God.