Ezinne Akam is a revolutionary writer/producer and founder of EBE Talent Collective, a start-up talent agency based in Lagos, Nigeria. Hailing from Ebonyi, Nigeria, Ezinne draws inspiration from her Igbo heritage. Equipped with a BSc in Criminology from the National Open University of Nigeria, she has over six years of experience in Nollywood and advertising. Ezinne’s journey includes participation in esteemed programs like The Accelerate Filmmaker Project and The Cinephilia Film & TV Development Workroom. Her production credits include award-winning projects like “Slum King”, “Breath of Life,” and “Shanty Town” as well as “Blind Date”, an award-winning short film. She is driven by a passion for storytelling that celebrates Africa, addresses social issues and promotes women & children’s rights.
What drew you to filmmaking?
Storytelling has been my passion since childhood, driven by a desire to share authentic African stories that resonate with audiences. As the firstborn of six children, I was raised by my late father, Chief Francis Akam Francis, who instilled in me a strong sense of African heritage and culture. This legacy inspires me to create content that celebrates our unique experiences.
I began writing at a young age, initially for personal projects in 2018. My professional journey started in 2019 when I was selected for a filmmaking project sponsored by Access Bank. This opportunity led to my debut short film, which premiered on YouTube, followed by two more films that are still available online.
My career has since flourished, with work on TV projects for prominent production companies, Netflix, and TV advertisements.
Do you collaborate with directors and other writers as well? Or you do everything yourself?
I have worked on productions singlehandedly and also collaborated with other producers. For instance, I worked on “Breathe of Life” with other senior producers, and it is currently available for viewing on Prime Video. Additionally, “Slum King” from last year is showing on ShowMax. Depending on the size of the production, I often have to work with other people.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
I love bringing people together and meeting new faces. My work has taken me all over the country, connecting with individuals from all walks of life – from market vendors to construction workers, and even international experts. I’ve even been known to strike up conversations at parties, asking ‘How’s it going?’ and ‘Want to be part of a movie?’ The excitement on people’s faces when they hear we’re making a movie is priceless.
I enjoy the challenge of budgeting, too. It’s not easy, but it’s a puzzle I love solving. Seeing people come together to create something special is what it’s all about for me.
Do you assemble all members of your team from parties?
When it comes to assembling my non-lead cast, I can also go to art exhibitions, lounges, or restaurants. But for my crew members, I take a strategic approach. I prioritize professionals who have demonstrated their skills in previous projects. For lead roles, we conduct closed casting calls to find the right talent that aligns with our vision.
When it comes to crew members, I look for individuals with a proven track record in their field. I consider their past work, their ability to create content that resonates with our project’s tone, and their compatibility with our team’s dynamic. Chemistry is crucial, and I believe it stems from a combination of professionalism, shared experience, and a willingness to learn from each other.
While I’m open to working with new talent, I expect a certain level of dedication and a willingness to learn. If you’re new to the industry, I encourage you to start with smaller roles and work your way up. With dedication and hard work, you’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop alongside our team.
How do you evaluate the potential of a script for production?
First of all, who are we making this movie for? In Nigeria, we have different markets – streaming, cinema, TV, and home viewing. So, who’s our target audience? Are we writing for kids, teens, or adults? If we want a wide appeal, we can create a family-friendly script that everyone can enjoy. That means leaving out mature themes like sexual content. Instead, we focus on a story that’s fun for the whole family.
Understanding our audience doesn’t stifle our creativity, it’s just business savvy. We need to know our market and what sells. If it’s for cinema, we have to consider ratings, but it still needs to be entertaining. This helps us define our genre, like comedy, which is popular here.
When I see a script with a clear audience, genre, story, and structure, I know it’s production-worthy. It’s got marketability and potential for success.
Speaking on your target audience, how do you balance this artistic vision and commercial considerations?
It’s a very thin line but if you’re able to meet that, then you’re good. To make an authentic story that will not only resonate with the audience but also make returns, I stay updated on current events and news, ensuring my story reflects the world we live in.
How do you stay organized and manage those competing priorities during production?
To ensure a seamless production process, I create detailed timelines. Our production is divided into three stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage is meticulously planned, with a focus on organization and efficiency.
Pre-production is a very heavy period, you might not be seeing your entire team every day, but it needs to be very organized down to what’s going on every single day before production. Let’s say, we’re gearing up to make a movie in December, we need to know, everybody on board with the production.
We begin by hiring a scriptwriter in July and reviewing their progress regularly. By the end of August, we receive the first draft and provide feedback. We then spend September and October refining the script, breaking it down into a detailed schedule, and assembling our team.
In October and November, we finalize casting, conduct script readings, and scout locations. Our director creates a shortlist of locations, which are then reviewed by the technical team. Every step of the process is carefully scheduled and structured on our production timeline.
Once we have a solid plan in place, we secure funding and arrange logistics, including accommodations and locations for our cast and crew. With our timeline in place, we’re ready to begin production in December, confident that every aspect of our project is carefully planned and executed.
During production, it’s all about teamwork and problem-solving. Every day, I’m checking in with different departments to ensure everything’s running smoothly. But things can go wrong. A location can fall through at the last minute, or equipment can fail. That’s why it’s essential to have a miscellaneous budget for unexpected expenses. It’s all about being prepared and flexible to ensure a successful shoot.
What is the most rewarding part of bringing a story from a script to the screen?
It’s that surreal moment when you realize you’re truly a creator. On set, seeing your vision come to life with actors, lighting, and cameras – it’s magical. But, let’s be real, filmmaking can be tough. There are times when you’ll question your career choice and wonder why you’re putting yourself through this. But, when you finally see the finished product, and the final edits, it all becomes worth it. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment, like ‘Whoa, I did that!’ It’s that moment that makes all the challenges worth it, and it’s what keeps us coming back to this crazy industry.
How do you actually handle criticism from audience feedback?
Not everyone will love your movie – it’s just a fact. Even hit films like Omo Ghetto and Anikulapo get criticized. But, as a filmmaker, you need to focus on the positive feedback and learn from the negative. The truth is, we’re our own toughest critics. We always think we could’ve done better, even when others love our work. So, instead of dwelling on negative comments, use them as lessons to improve your craft. Don’t get held back by criticism – use it to move forward and make your next project even better.
What particular memory for successful projects you’ve worked you’ve worked on?
I remember this one time when I was filming in Ibadan, a city I wasn’t familiar with, and my cast of bricklayers bailed on me last minute. I had to scramble to find new ones. It was a wild adventure, but it shows just how far we’ll go to bring a movie to life. And let me tell you, it’s not always easy. Like when we were shooting Slum King, we had to ply some remote locations that were tough on my car – it broke down and I had to repair it from scratch! But that’s just part of the journey. There are so many stories like that, but they’re all worth it in the end.
What should your viewers expect from in the near future?
I’m excited to share that I have a project in development, which is exceptionally close to my heart. While I can’t reveal too much just yet, I can say that it’s a unique and captivating story about an Igbo girl and her journey through the rich Igbo culture. Drawing from my own experiences growing up as an Igbo child, this project explores the challenges of cultural identity and the struggles of preserving tradition in a world dominated by Western influences.
The story delves into the complexities of cultural assimilation, highlighting the ways in which we often abandon our heritage in favor of more familiar, Western practices. For instance, the protagonist grapples with the decision to hide her traditional Igbo name because it’s deemed too difficult for others to pronounce.
What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers or actors?
Always have your own projects in the works. It’s great to want to collaborate with senior producers but having your own movies shows initiative and drive. It doesn’t matter if your project isn’t perfect – it’s about showing what you’re capable of. It’s about your determination and courage to create something from scratch. That’s what earns respect. For actors, don’t just rely on your passion; get trained and intern on a crew to learn the ropes. Even big actors started out that way. I acted early in my career and I know how tough it is – it takes dedication and hard work. But it’s worth it.
