Filmmaker Adeyemi Michael speaks to Ebunoluwa Mordi about his award-winning documentary Sodiq, his inspiration and the future in this interview.
What is your education background?
So I started out acting on stage at school as a young man then I realised being behind the camera was more me. I studied for a Bachelors Degree in Media Practice at University of the Arts London (LCC) which was filmmaking in its most practical sense. I then went on to study a Masters Degree in Directing at the coveted National Film & Television School (UK).
Did you always want to become a filmmaker?
Always wanted to be involved in the Arts and film seemed to fit with the skills I had.
Nature or nurture?
Nature.
Which contributed more: formal training or on-the-job-training?
Always on the job. There is no substitute for doing something for real. It’s like match day for football, that’s when it counts.
How did you go about pursuing your creative dreams?
I stayed focused saw opportunity and took it.
What were some challenges you faced on the way?
Financially I wasn’t the best off so I really had to be financially disciplined and astute to get through university and film school. That was a challenge that I relished.
What are the highlights of your career so far?
Graduating with a Masters from the NFTS and making my mum proud. Screening to young people in schools and universities and inspiring young minds and those that teach those young minds. Screening at The Houses of Parliament and Columbia University and winning a Grierson Award amongst all the other awards.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ADEYEMI MICHAEL
Read the full interview in December 2014/January 2015 edition of Nolly Silver Screen (Issue 11) here or click on the download button to download the magazine.
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