MOMENT WITH IJEOMA ISAAC
Our meeting was first in church at a rehearsal for a youth drama. I invited her to join us. She couldn't at the time but much later she did. Now, she is one of us. Moreso, she is a creative. Welcome with me, Ijeoma Isaac.
Can we meet you?
My name is Ijeoma Mary Isaac. I'm a script writer. I also do subtitling and an coming-actor.
Wow! That is great.
So how did you get into script writing?
It's a talent,I get inspired and I write down what I visualize. I've been writing from secondary school, until 2 years ago I went into writing professionally.
Interesting!
What are the basic things required in one becoming a script writer?
Read,read,read every book. Make research, be disciplined and focus.
Even if the book has nothing to do with writing or script writing. Or you mean reading in general?
Reading in general including bible and koran.... Read every book, it improves writing skills and helps gain knowledge and add to your creativity
Okay. So what some of the titles of script you have written? As any hit the screen. If so, what is the title and what prompted you to write it?
Life after, Retribute, Rancor, Destitution, Stud
So far, these are my works and I'm working on Deeds at the moment.
My inspiration comes from personal encounter with people and things happening around me, like my environment at the moment.
So have any of these script been shot?
Yes. Rancor and Retribute
Wow! Very good.
Thank you
So, are you a freelance script writer or you write for a company?
I do both. That's if a production demands for my services.
How has it been, being a script writer? Is it profitable?
It's profitable but we are yet to be valued. Infact, creatives are not valued in our society and this makes it difficult and can cause you to be discouraged . It's very challenging being a creative here.
I can understand.
What do you think can be done to remedy this malaise?
The bodies in charge of creatives should push further to create a platform that will make the government especially invest into creatives, also creatives should encouraged help each other and see if possible try to coach the upcoming creatives without ulterior motives.
What are the challenges upcoming script writers encounter?
Getting clients and company/production that are willing to pay for the job done. Most people take advantage of upcoming creatives a lot.
Is there a body like an association for scriptwriters like we have for Association of Nigerian Authors that can protect the interest of scriptwriters?
Sincerely,I do see it on Facebook pages but I don't know if it's effective.
I will find out because I asked someone and the person's feedback wasn't strong enough...
Alright. On the average, how long does it take you to finish a script considering the research that goes into it?
Sometimes,2-3 months . It depends on the story line. Some scripts take longer time like 6months-1year. But on average, 2 months
Wow!
Yeah
Is it compulsory for a script writer to bother with camera angle, shot and the likes?
No. That's the director's job. Infact, some directors will be mad seeing that in the script. It will look like you're trying to teach them their job. But you have to be descriptive in characters, dressing, outfit,mood, expressions, age, etc stuff like that.
Do you teach script writing? Or you have not considered that angle?
I've never thought anyone but I can teach someone how to write a script.
I mean creating an advert and getting something for the effort. Maybe you can teach it on zoom, WhatsApp etc
I have....that would be on request for now. Then later I will go into it fully.
Okay
Yeah
Thank you for your time.
It's my pleasure. Thank you for having me
We have come to the end of the interview but you can follow my guest on the following social media handles.
Facebook: Maryij & Ijeoma Mary ( fb)
Twitter: @IsaacIjeomaMar1
Instagram: @ijey_africa
