Table of Contents
Introduction
The Nigerian film industry, commonly known as Nollywood, is a cultural force across Africa and the developing world. As the second largest film producer in the world by volume, Nollywood pumps out hundreds of movies and TV shows each month that captivate audiences across the continent and in the diaspora. The industry centers around Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and creative melting pot of over 20 million people. For any fan of African cinema or student of popular culture, Lagos is a must-visit destination to dive into the heart of Nollywood and explore its frenetic film community firsthand.
Join me as I recount my unforgettable adventure discovering the sights, sounds, and stories behind the camera in the Nollywood capital of Lagos. From hustling between bustling film sets to rubbing shoulders with Nigeria’s biggest stars, it’s a nonstop thrill ride that provides unique insight into how Nollywood became a globally recognized film industry.
Arriving in Lagos
Stepping off the plane at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, I’m immediately immersed in the organized chaos that is Lagos. The air hangs hot and humid as travelers pour out of the terminal to hail down battered yellow Danfo minibuses or fight through mell of honking vehicles in search of taxis. It’s a dizzying introduction to Nigeria’s largest and most vibrant metropolis.
Getting around Lagos takes finesse. With notorious congestion on narrow streets, I learn to navigate by flags and landmarks rather than addresses. And I quickly ditch any illusions about keeping a schedule. You have to adopt a go-with-the-flow mentality to handle Lagos’ perpetual gridlock and impromptu detours. But once I embrace the unpredictability, I come to appreciate the kinetic energy and scrappy resourcefulness Lagos residents need to survive each day. It’s the perfect backdrop for Nollywood’s maverick film industry.
Visiting Film Studios
My first film set visits are to massive studio lots like FilmOne and EbonyLife that have soundstages big enough to shoot multiple productions. Walking the grounds, I get a behind-the-scenes look at directors blocking out scenes, crews bustling through costume and makeup trailers, and actors rehearsing lines. The nonstop hive of activity shows how Nollywood keeps pace producing so many films each year.
Inside the soundstages, I’m amazed to see incredibly detailed standing sets — like a bustling hospital wing or posh living room — ready for filming. The set designers explain how they recycle and redress the spaces across different productions to maximize budgets. It speaks to the resourcefulness and creativity that drives Nollywood’s success.
Meeting Actors and Directors
Rubbing shoulders with celebrities is much easier in Lagos’ intimate entertainment scene. One night at a local beach club I end up partying alongside Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, one of Nollywood’s biggest stars. She dishes delightfully about the antics of shooting her recent action film. Another time, while eating suya kebabs at a roadside stall, I look over and realize the gentleman nearby is Kunle Afolayan, the renowned Nigerian actor-director behind hits like October 1st.
I’m soon attending film screenings and premieres several times a week, interacting with Nollywood stars and promising up-and-comers. Conversations give insight into plotlines, character development, marketing tactics, and more. The business side of making and funding films in Nigeria proves equally fascinating. Crowdfunding and product placement deals are increasingly critical for budgets.
Exploring Outdoor Shooting Locations
While major studios host plenty of filming, I’m also venturing out to experience Nollywood’s signature guerilla filmmaking around Lagos. Shoots can pop up anywhere — one day it’s a market scene in the hustle and bustle of Oshodi Market, another it’s onboard a danfo bus weaving through Mile 12.
Directors relish the authenticity of real locations, while crews run and gun without extensive road closures or crowd control. At times the zero-budget shoots land them in trouble, like when a homeowner wasn’t given proper notice about filming in their compound. But the free-wheeling approach means Nollywood productions mirror Lagos’ dynamic streets.
Seeing filming out around town also provides ways to interact with everyday people and gauge locals’ reactions. While some are still bemused by camera crews, most Nigerians now seem proud of their country’s booming film business and get a kick out of being involved.
Discovering New Talent
Beyond the established bigwigs, I’m keeping an eye out for emerging voices and experimental projects. Places like the National Film Institute in Jos and Lagos’ Met Film School are training Nigeria’s next generation. I attend thesis film screenings to check out the raw creativity on display. Thought-provoking social dramas shine alongside inventive sci-fi flicks and supernatural thrillers.
Nigeria’s indie scene is also gaining notice by breaking formulaic styles. Dynamic collectives like the Surreal16 are pushing artistic boundaries with abstract storytelling and vivid visuals. And directors like C.J. Obasi are disrupting norms, like with his biting dystopian satire Ojuju that subverts Nollywood tropes. The influx of new talent promises ever-richer stories ahead.
Understanding Nollywood’s Influence
After spending time embedded in Lagos’ film community, Nollywood’s immense cultural influence becomes crystal clear. Nigeria’s films both reflect and propagate certain values, behaviors, and norms through engaging storylines. As people faithfully watch melodramas, comedies, political satires and more, the medium wields substantial power in shaping opinions and perspectives.
I also gain fuller appreciation of Nollywood’s prominence across Africa and with diaspora populations abroad. Nigeria’s films get distributed far beyond its borders, and scenes filmed on Lagos streets resonate widely with African viewers. Nollywood also gives Nigeria soft power clout as the globe’s second largest film producer. The industry’s mushrooming impact proves how popular media transfers both creative ideas and cultural perspective.
Challenges Facing the Industry
For all its breakneck growth, Nollywood still faces hurdles on the path ahead. Rampant piracy erodes profits from films and threatens the entire business model, as cheap pirated copies undercut legitimate ones. Heightened taxes on distribution and cinema exhibition have also hampered the industry lately.
Many note that updating outdated production equipment and formal training programs could enhance quality too. Right now Nollywood relies more on street smarts and improvisation than technical know-how. Investments in new technology and skills would help creatives take ideas further.
There’s also a dearth of government funding and infrastructure support relative to other major film hubs worldwide. Securing greater long-term financing and building improved studios and post-production houses could strengthen Nollywood’s sustainability.
The Future is Bright
But while new challenges arise, the future outlook for Nollywood still appears bright. With targeted quality improvements, Nigerian films are reaching ever-more sophisticated levels that can rival the production value of Hollywood and Bollywood. And savvy directors are increasingly telling stories with pan-African appeal and nuance.
As Nollywood expands its reach, collaboration across Africa’s creative industry continues growing too. Joint projects involving South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and beyond will further bolster the continent’s interconnected film landscape.
Distribution deals with international streaming giants like Netflix also open new revenue streams and exposure. Nollywood’s content and talent are breaking new ground worldwide. With strategic development, the industry seems poised to maintain Nigeria’s prominence en route to greater global markets.
Conclusion
My time exploring Nollywood in its Lagos epicenter provided an experience I’ll never forget. The sights, sounds, and stories offer invaluable insight into Africa’s booming film business. It’s a thrill to witness firsthand the incredible creativity and scrappy resourcefulness that enables Nollywood to thrive.
From maverick directors improvising shoots on bustling streets to technicians cobbling DIY equipment, Nollywood represents Nigeria at its determined, inventive best. The industry’s future is sure to enthrall with new voices and talent ready to build on tradition and shake up convention. Through it all, Nollywood’s growing reach and influence provides Nigeria with an unmatched platform to shape popular culture across Africa and beyond.
FAQs
What is Nollywood?
Nollywood is Nigeria’s prolific film industry that produces hundreds of movies and TV shows each month. It’s the world’s second largest film producer by volume after Bollywood.
Where is Nollywood centered?
Nollywood is largely based around Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city with a metropolitan population over 20 million. Lagos acts as the industry’s creative nexus.
How does Nollywood produce films so rapidly?
By embracing industrious tactics like shooting on the streets, recycling standing sets, and cobbling equipment, Nollywood films can be made quickly and cheaply without major studio infrastructure.
How influential is Nollywood?
Domestically, Nollywood films reflect and influence Nigerian culture. Internationally, Nollywood gives Nigeria soft power clout and its films have growing audiences abroad.
What challenges does Nollywood face?
Major challenges include piracy eroding revenues, high taxes, outdated equipment/training, and lack of government funding compared to other film hubs.