Q&A Interview Nosa Eke, Filmmaker Young & Human Series
Nosa Eke is a 23 year old screenwriter, filmmaker and digital content producer based in London who loves all things lo fi and hi tech. She is an alumnus of The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, with an undergraduate degree from the University of the Arts London, and a postgraduate from The National Film and Television School. She is a firm believer in being a jack-of-all-trades and thinks that because of the accessibility of technology these days anything is achievable.
For more insight into Nosa’s past, current and future projects, follow Nosa on Twitter: @nosaferatu
How’s it going? Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Good, you know, just had a big lunch! Hmm, good question. I’m Nosa Eke, I’m from South East London, Croydon, and I guess I’m a filmmaker-writer.
What does 'normal' mean to you?
I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t know, because I don’t think that word is really in my vocabulary. Like obviously ‘normal’ exists as a word, but I don’t think nowadays it necessarily fits into anything. Like you could ask people on the street what is normal? Everyone is so different now, and attitudes have changed so much that people won’t be like ‘this particular thing is normal’. I believe there is no such thing as ‘normal’ these days.
Do you feel like not being normal is more accepted? Is it cooler not to fit in?
I think to some extent it’s cooler, but I think it’s more about people reclaiming the idea of what is normal. Obviously there’ll be people who don’t fit into the mainstream, but it’s more about having the freedom to be different, than saying 'oh I’m cooler than you'.
Do you think people these days obsess about being ‘normal’?
I think when you’re younger, the idea of being normal is more appealing, I guess it’s useful in a way, because in school you’re in a place with so many kids, it’s tough to survive if you don’t fit whatever the norm is. So I think in that regard normal is important to survive adolescence I guess. But I think, as they grow older everyone starts to think, well actually I’m my own person, and that comes with a maturing mind.
Tell us about a moment in your life that made you stop and think ‘Am I normal?’
I think there was a time I realised I was different, as apposed to normal. After secondary school, I went to the Brit School, and obviously there, just being yourself is encouraged and I always talk about this with my friends who I went with, it was the best time: because you were allowed to be yourself and find yourself and explore what you were interested in. Kids and teachers alike would encourage it. My peers would say, 'that’s cool that you’re into that, you should do more of that'. Teachers were not trying to suppress your ideas like they might have done in secondary school.
@nosaferatuDid you always want to go to the Brit School?
Well this is the weird thing, I’ve always lived right in front of the school, like it’s kind of round the corner from me, I didn’t realise it was there until I was older. Coming to the end of secondary school people were asking me what I wanted to do, English? Science? I just knew I didn’t want to do any of that. So I was like, ok, what are my options here? Is there a school I can go to? I always knew I wanted to do writing and filmmaking, where could I realistically go? The Brit School had that reputation and it zeroes in on what your focuses are, like you don’t have to take any other subjects apart from the creative ones you want to concentrate on, which was really appealing.
What kind of obstacles did you have to deal with as a youngster? Do you think they are the same ones that teens face nowadays?
I think there are a bunch of issues. There is a lot of stuff to think about regarding life when you’re not a teen anymore. You have to think about it while your still a teenager, like housing, rent and that kind of stuff. Those are issues you have to face and you’re obviously still a teen when you get to university too. If you’re a teen and you’re creative, you have to start preparing for a tough life, especially with today’s government and the funding cuts creative subjects are dealing with.
Best memory of being a kid?
First thing that always comes to mind is finding my core group of people who I could go to music shows with. Like some of my favourite people I met at shows, and have the closest relationship with, and that always stands out for me as key moments.
Side question, what’s your favourite sort of music?
90’s Midwestern, I don’t want to say Emo but its kind of what the term is. But it’s not like My Chemical Romance or Kerrang. It’s more bands like American Football and Captain Jazz and things like that.
Would you say filmmaking or the writing that appeals to you more?
I would say both, writing has always been appealing to, but I think that actually filming and doing something with what you write is great…but hard too.
Where do you find inspiration for you work?
A lot of it comes from my own life, my personality as well as traits I pick up on in my friends. I just write down what happens in my life, adding some dramatisation along the way and see what comes out the other side.
What themes do you find yourself writing and filming about?
In my latest project the themes of Friendships, Success & Failure and how that has an impact on their different personalities. I think I aim to portray the high and lows that people face in real life without turning the content into an after school special.
Do you find the experience of shooting stressful?
I find it freeing actually. Knowing I can make something on a low budget with people I like and respect, means that my work is more love than labour.
Who are your role models?
One person that always comes to mind is Lena Waithe. She is a television writer and she’s also a producer. She’s part of a collective called The Resurgence, young black kids in the States making movies and TV pilots. This is why I wanted to make my own pilot presentation, based on how they work, and they market the hell out of all their content. Another person is iO Tillett Wright, do you know him? He's an activist, filmmaker, artist, and encourages people to be themselves.
Is there any advice you wish you could have given your younger self?
I don’t wish I did anything different. My only piece of advice to younger me would be, 'Don’t worry about it, just do you' – don’t spend time wishing I was something else, but if I didn’t worry so much about liking what my friends liked. If I had worried about that too much I wouldn’t have some of the people I have in my life now.
What’s your trick for being more confident?
One good advice you get from film school is: 'Fake it till you make it!' – Like I hate being in front of people and speaking, but if you pretend and get in the role of it all, it makes it easier. If I need to do something, even if it’s out of my comfort zone, I’ve just got to pretend to be ok with it and do it. My friends call me 'the loud introvert'.
Teens these days have so many different things to think about and do at the same time. We spoke about how hard it is to lead a creative lifestyle and also earn your life. Do you feel that’s a binary that comes up a lot in your show, creative vs. money?
Yeah, two of the main characters, in the first episode, one of the main arguments are about money, and selling out. You know sometimes you have to do something for money that you don’t necessarily love, but then that gives you future opportunities to do something on your own terms that you’re passionate about.
Finally, What are your ‘Am I Normal’ Tips for Teens?
This is generic but a true one, just be yourself; chill out and relax. Also, something I wish I told myself more, you have room to make mistakes.
