Obatunde Taiwo, an award winning cinematographer popularly called 9ice Tee, in this interview, speaks about his love for the profession, his relationship with thespians, and his experiences, especially how he narrowly escaped death when armed robbers struck when he was on location with his colleagues…
He was awarded as the Promising cinematographer/Direction of the year at the Achiever Arts academic awards 2016
Excerpts:
Tell us about your career?
I’m a cinematographer and I love film making. I’ve passed through a lot of things: I was once an actor, was a production manager, in continuity…a lot of things, but I’m very happy now because my dream has always been to be a cinematographer.
How has it been since you started?
It’s almost 10 years now, and seven of the have been rewarding. I’m being paid well and I always get this joy whenever I’m being paid because it’s my stress.
What led you into cinematography?
A lot of things led me into it. Since I was a kid, I’ve had a passion for film. I watch a lot of films and I have teachers all over the world. I always go online to check out new things; stay updated.
In the movie industry, who are those you’ve worked with?
I’ve worked with lot of people, I can’t count them. The likes of Abbey Lanre, Olaiya, Odunlade Adekola, Damola Olatunji, and many more.
Who are those you still wish to work with?
I wish to work with people overseas, white men, and after that, I’ll try to do a standard film in Nigeria, because I don’t really like how things are in Nigeria.
Can you take us through your education background?
I’m an S.S.C.E holder but the joyful thing is those people with higher qualification still come to me for help. I thank God.
Were your parents supportive of your career?
My father was the first person that gave me the courage. He was still alive then and he gave me the courage to act, though not to be a cinematographer. It wasn’t until I started that I realised that cinematography is my field. Two years after I delved into it, my father died. Then my mother gave me trouble. She was always complaining that I wasn’t being well-paid me well because sometimes I would spend one month and come back home empty-handed; so she was so angry. She abused me a lot and people started seeing me as a thief because they didn’t know the kind of job I was doing. You know, I don’t feature in movies, because we are behind the scene, so I faced a lot of challenges.
Since you started, what is the worst experience you’ve had?
Ahh! It just happened this year. In February, we were shooting in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Niyi Johnson was on set and I was the cinematographer. Suddenly, armed robbers attacked us and took all our equipment. They almost killed Niyi Johnson. Incidentally, a week before that time, I had a dream that had to do with gunshot, so as they came in, my mind flashed back to the dream. But I thank God I wasn’t shot, though they collected everything we had. The gang leader ordered one of his boys to kill Niyi Johnson because he was looking at them eyeball to eyeball. Everybody was terrified and it was just a miracle that they didn’t kill him. It could have been disastrous.