‘I Used to Trade my Scripts for Film Roles’ – Omoni Oboli
Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Omoni Oboli, has opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career, revealing that she used to trade her scripts in exchange for acting roles. The actress shared her story during an interview on Radionow FM, while discussing what motivated her shift from acting to directing.
Omoni explained that while she was passionate about writing, she often found that the final versions of the films didn’t align with the vision she had when creating the scripts. This realization drove her desire to take control of her work as a director.
“I used to trade my scripts for movie roles,” she recounted. “I’d tell them, ‘You don’t have to pay me, just give me a role in the film.’ But when I watched the movies, they didn’t reflect the picture I had in my mind when writing.”
She noted that her dissatisfaction wasn’t about the quality of the films, but the difference in interpretation between directors. “No two directors will bring a script to life in the same way,” she said. “But I wanted my stories to carry my own DNA, and that meant I had to direct them myself.”
Despite the daunting prospect of stepping behind the camera, Omoni decided to pursue her vision, driven by her determination. “It was a scary thought, but then I told myself, ‘Warri no dey carry last. If others can do it, why can’t I?’”
Her ambition led her to closely observe directors while acting on set, and eventually, she enrolled in a short course at the New York Film Academy to refine her skills and prepare for her directorial journey.
Omoni Oboli’s story is one of perseverance and self-belief, showcasing her evolution from an actress to a filmmaker determined to bring her creative vision to life.
