Aiwan Obinyan is a movie director and producer. She is the founder and CEO of AiAi Productions and has worked with Channel 4, ITV, and Majek Fashek, to mention a few. She composes music for movies, TV, and commercials. In 2014, she released “Bethlehem Boy,” a movie shot in London UK. It is the story of two young men who start on the same path but end differently as one accepts Christ and the other doesn’t. She is currently working on a new film project “Wax Print: From the Cradle to the Grave” and is travelling the world as she seeks to discover and uncover the history behind the beloved Ankara print. This is Aiwan’s dream, and she is pursuing it.
When I look at Aiwan Obinyan, I see a woman who will not be stopped by that which stops others. I see a woman who, like the rest of us, has many reasons to fail but accepts none of them. I see a woman who does what she loves and has found a way to get paid for it. I see a woman who is living her dreams. I see a woman who is using her gifts and talents.
Three years ago, I was invited to watch the premiere of the movie, “Bethlehem Boy.” It was a movie produced by Aiwan on a zero budget. This is a woman who looks for ways to get what she wants and does not make excuses. I feel very honoured that she has permitted me to share her story in DOZ Magazine. She not only talks about her past project but also her new one and there is so much in her life and her work to inspire you. I hope that after reading her interview, you will take another look at your vision and all the excuses you have made for not getting started. What is your excuse? Is it money? Aiwan proves that it is possible to achieve your dreams without having money in the bank, you just need to think outside of the box. As you read, be inspired to walk in your purpose and fulfil destiny. Enough of the excuses, it is time to act. It’s time to put your gifts and talents to use. And don’t tell me you’re waiting for God. He’s been waiting for you.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Aiwan Obinyan, I was born in the UK and grew up in South-East London. I studied Music Production at Leeds College of Music and went on to play in a number of bands and write and produce music for various artists.
Were your parents Christians?
My mum is a Christian, and I was raised in a very Christian household. If I’m honest, my spiritual journey has been a convoluted one – many ups and downs, a myriad of questions and doubts. As I get older, I’m learning not to look to the left or the right on my journey of faith. I try to stay in my lane, run my race and stay focused on my goal of living a life that I will be proud of when I look back at the end of it. This involves taking care of the people I love, the world in which I live and creating art that reflects and encapsulates the essence that the creator placed within me.
How did you become a movie director and producer?
I actually came to film through music. I composed the music for Neil Maskell’s debut film (the title is rude, so I’m not sure, but here it is ‘Sh*tkicker’). I had very little idea what composing for film involved, and so I just gave him a CD of some music I’d made, and he liked it and asked me to do the score. And so began a quick scramble to learn what composing for film actually involved. It was a great learning experience, and the film screened at Molinare’s in Soho to great response. By this time I was hooked, I wanted to know more about this world, so I started as an assistant engineer at a TV station in London recording and mixing bands and interviews for the ‘Independent Sessions’ a live music TV show. After a couple of years, I became Head of Sound at a mega-church in Barking! Random right? I joined the drama team and wrote music for their productions, and it was here I wrote and directed my first feature film ‘Bethlehem Boy’ in collaboration with the Drama and Youth teams.
Did you know you were going to be directing and producing movies at this stage in your life?
Definitely not! I was pretty focused on doing music and sound for film and theatre; I wasn’t aware that I could direct. It came as a result of being asked for ideas for a production by the head of the drama team, Julie Uloroh, and I just blurted out ‘why don’t we involve the youth and do a short film with them?’. The rest is history.
Tell us about your first movie, Bethlehem Boy, what inspired you to take on that project?
It’s a gritty-ish film set on a council estate in London. It tells the story of two boys who start out on the same path of gangs, drugs, and violence, one makes a deadly choice, the other chooses the path to redemption. I was inspired by the young people at the church who were so committed to their faith; I admired their dedication especially knowing there were many struggles and temptations that they were dealing with and yet each Sunday, there they were ready to try again to keep the faith. It moved me, and I wanted to make a film that shows that struggle. I guess I thought that maybe some Christian parents might see the film and have a better idea of what goes on and how they might help their children.
How and why did you choose the name?
Lol, it was actually Joseph Subi – the lead actor – who came up with it! I was trying to explain the concept of the film to him, and the kind of insults the lead character receives and he said ‘oh, so like, Bible Basher, Bethlehem Boy….’ It felt like it basically encapsulated the idea of the film, a boy who comes to accept the man from Bethlehem as the guide of his life and is abused for that decision.
How was the movie received?
We screened the film at Shortwave Cinema; we had a good turnout, some important personalities were present including some members of parliament.
How did making that movie impact on your life and career?
It taught me a lot about making a film on next to no budget! Buying a few boxes of KFC for the cast and splitting another box between the cameraman and me. Hanging extension cables out of a friendly neighbour’s window because we had run out of power and didn’t have enough money to afford extra batteries. Building props and equipment at home (I dismantled a microphone stand to build a longer boom pole). Taking furniture from my house and other people’s houses to design the sets. Using my mashed-up VW Golf (RIP) as a dolly for moving scenes. Composing music and doing the sound design for the film in my little box-room in Uxbridge all while heading the sound team at the 5000 capacity mega-church. Crazy! I learnt quickly; I had to. It taught me about all aspects of film from initial concept and script development through to shooting, post-production, marketing, and release.
I remember that after the premiere of Bethlehem Boy there were plans to promote the movie further and then there was this long silence, what happened?
Yes, Unfortunately, we didn’t take it further in terms of film festivals and general release because things were changing in my life and the lives of those around me and it seemed best to end on the high of the screening. I’m sure I will one day put it out for general viewing.
I understand that you are now working on a new project, the Ankara movie, please tell us about that.
‘WAX PRINT: From the Cradle to the Grave.’ It tells the story of the ubiquitous fabric that has come to represent Africa and African textiles. So far the documentary has taken me across the UK, Holland, France, Berlin, and Ghana with further trips planned to Nigeria and America. The trip to Nigeria is very much about reconciling my roots and design aesthetic as I explore the place where my Grandmother ran her own successful sewing school and merges the wider journey of the documentary with a very personal journey of my own. We have had amazing support and access from a wide variety of people and organisations from iconic companies like Vlisco to small independent boutiques and market stalls, social enterprises, and individuals who have special connections with the fabrics they wear. This is a documentary that not only wants to admire African fabrics as beautiful adornments but also considers their cultural significance and the dialogues they still enable us to have particularly around our shared histories.
When will the movie be released?
So, we have a crowdfunder that is live now and has seven days left! Once, we reach the end of the crowdfunder; production will continue in Nigeria and London. I’ve penciled in post-production (editing, sound, music, etc.) for January – Feb 2018 and all being well we will begin screening and festival rounds from the middle of 2018 onwards. You can contribute to the campaign here: www.waxprintfilm.com/crowdfund
Going forward, will you produce more movies or will you do something different?
I have so many documentary ideas; I think enough to last me the rest of my life! So, I feel as though I’ll be making a lot of films for a long time to come. I like that I can fuse my love of music with story-telling and exploration of the world. I will always write and release music myself and with other artists – this is an inescapable part of me.
What is the most rewarding thing you have done thus far, and why it was rewarding?
Travelling around the world shooting ‘WAX PRINT’ – I’ve met some truly amazing and inspiring people, who do incredibly innovative, ethical and beautiful work. It’s shown me that despite all the doom and gloom, there is still light in the world and there are truly good people doing great things.
What challenge or challenges have you overcome and how?
Film + Life + Self-Employment is one big challenge, lol! Organisational skills are so important and prioritising the right things – trying not to overwork myself – I’ve learnt the hard way that it’s not worth it. I try to sleep well, eat well, exercise, and then prioritise my tasks according to what is urgent, important and what can wait. Finding space for quiet time and also time for relaxation with friends and loved ones is also important. I don’t always get it right, but I’m way better than I was!
In hindsight, what would you do differently?
I’d be bolder; you’d surprised at the number of people I’ve told about the film who are genuinely interested in it. People that I would never have thought to speak to about it. Then there are those people who then link you with others and offer great advice that pushes the project along – so invaluable. More Boldness and I would have developed the ability earlier to, like King David, encourage myself when things are not going to plan, and it seems cold, dark and lonely.
Is there anything you don’t like about your job?
I’m not keen on being a film producer – I don’t like organising other people and schedules. In an ideal world, I’d have a dedicated producer and an assistant. But for now, I do those jobs myself until I get to those executive levels 🙂
What makes your job worthwhile?
Seeing stories come to life step by step, the interesting people I meet and work with and the relief at the end when everything is done, and you feel that rush of exhilaration that, yes, you’ve done it and it is well.
Do you have any advice for young Christian women who are trying to walk in their purpose?
Try not to be hard on yourself, take care of and love yourself, and you’ll be able to offer those same things to others. Run your race, don’t look to the left or the right and you’ll be alright. Learn as much as possible, be open to the expertise of those around you and dare to feel the fear and go for it anyway, what do you have to lose?
What else would you like people to know about you?
We’re looking for an African wedding (traditional or western/religious) to shoot a scene for the documentary – if you know anyone getting married between now and December we’d be honoured to come down and shoot your wedding!
Where can people get more information about you and your achievement
WAX PRINT DOCUMENTARY
Twitter & Instagram: @waxprintfilm
E-mail: aiwan@waxprintfilm.com
MY STUFF:
E-mail: hello@aiaisound.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiwanobinyan/
