BIODUN Stephen is a Nigerian film director, writer and producer, who specialises in romantic drama and comedy films. Her first film, The Visit, was one of the first Nollywood movies bought by Netflix and earned AMVCA nomination. OLAITAN GANIU met her at the private screening of her latest movie, Joba and she talks about her biggest fear as a producer, how female filmmakers have been given a space to flourish among other issues.
Her humble beginning
AS a teenager, Biodun Stephen dreamt of being an actress, but fate took her through a different route.
“It was initially acting,” said Stephen who eventually became a film producer.
“I really wanted to be an actor. I was busy going for auditions, though, it was never about not passing an audition. It was always about not being picked for whatever reason. Also, I think when I was much younger, there were just few men who were as tall as I was, so pairing me was difficult. And when they paired me, they paired me with older men. So, they were automatically doubling my age in real life.”
For Stephen, she wanted to avoid being typecast, one of flaws on which Nollywood seems to place actors.
“You know how Nollywood works? The moment you are known for a character, that’s the character you will always be playing. For instance, Carol King, I always assumed she was old. And when I met her 10 years after, she said ‘oh, I am not as old as you think.’ You know because she always plays someone’s mother for a long time, I had a perception that since she is a mom, she must be in her 50s. But alas, she is still young.”
Investing on upcoming actors
BUT that was not the only thing Stephen noted about Nollywood. She saw how upcoming actors did not get their breaks and after her own break, she decided she was going to consciously give other actors a chance to shine whenever that opportunity comes.
“Someone gave me an opportunity in the person of Late Chris of Koga Entertainment. Someone took a gamble on me, so why won’t I do that to others,” she said about her humble beginning.
“And probably because I have come from a place of hunger. I mean being hungry for the space I am now. And also, because I write my script myself, I need to find the perfect person. If it means that I have to drill talents till we get it right. I like working with young talents because someone needs to give them the chance.”
Passion and inspiration
STEPHEN whose ability to do so many things is a perfect definition of ‘Jack of all trades.’
“On my own part, I was confused for so long. One of the crises I suffered from was an ability to do so many things. I can write, act, directing, present and so on.”