Introduce Yourself : Screenwriter, ready for my next challenge. by Solomon Unoke

Solomon Unoke

Screenwriter, ready for my next challenge.

Hello everyone, I'm a screenwriter from Nigeria, and I'm humbled to be amongst you all.

I've been writing for about 15 years, but it wasn't until 4 years ago, that I decided to write screenplays, and that's when I discovered my true calling.

I started off as a programmer, where I languished behind the desk, fixing bugs for 9 years. Now all I have to deal with is the occasional self loathing, and creative blocks. But those don't last long, soon enough, one gets engulfed by the warmth of the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have written seven screenplays so far - four features, two pilots, and one short.

I recently took up the challenge of rewriting a story about an illegal immigrants journey from Honduras to America. Where I was able to implement the director's notes, and deliver an adrenaline pumping, action filled, and tasty screenplay - marinated with political intrigue, crime, and adventure. I called it La-Bestia.

However, I am open to work, and will very much like to write a psychological thriller this time. Contact me.

My ambition is to be filmmaker, and chasing that dream has led me to create a team around my first film project - a horror-thriller titled: The Fairy Of Odudu Rock.

This film, partly inspired by The Blair Witch Project, incorporates different visual narrative styles, like Found footage, Screen life and visual arts, all perfectly blended in a suspenseful thrilling story.

We are still in pre-production, and we welcome any contribution, or advice to our effort to deliver a non-stereotypical Nigerian film.

The pitchdeck was too large to post, so a snippet instead.

Thank you, I hope to meet you soon.

Jon Shallit

Good luck-what is film making like there? Do you get large revenues?

Solomon Unoke

@Jon Shallit,

Depends on the film's reach. Naturally, we aspire to make a film that'll bridge the boundaries of the country. Our distribution plan is worldwide, so we hope to recoup revenues from horror movie lovers around the world.

The upside is, filmmaking is relatively cheaper in Nigeria, generally due to currency and labour values, so we're confident that profit will be made.

Maurice Vaughan

Great to meet you, Solomon Unoke. Welcome to the community. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 and make connections (www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...). Making connections and networking is how I've had success on Stage 32.

You could also check the Job Board for jobs (www.stage32.com/find-jobs). The Job Board is updated regularly.

Kenneth Arinze Ezema

Solomon Unoke hello, nice to see you here.

I'm Kenneth, a Nigerian writer.

I have been into contents writing for two years now, and just this year, I decided to take my writings skills to screen writing.

currently, I'm working on my first screenplay which aims at addressing some of the political issues in Nigeria.

This is to promote the styles and settings of Nollywood films, and fostering an effective and relatable visual play towards forming a better Nigeria.

Sir , I'll be very happy to connect with you and learn some valuable insights on this writing category - Screen writing.

thanks.

Chris Jolley

Solomon,

Welcome friend. coming from an aspiring writer who was born to a family of programmers I know how challenging both endeavors are.

Your screenplays, have they been made? What exactly took you from programming to writing? If you ever want to connect and talk feel free to reach out.

Solomon Unoke

Chris,

I have ADHD, and that's a problem with the steep learning curve that came with being a developer. I would regularly forget things I already knew, and have to relearn them.

Sometimes, I'd get lost in a long line of code, because I couldn't immediately identify where I left off.

I rarely got in the zone, and it took a lot of coffee and Radiohead music to make headway.

Programming never really allowed me to tap into the creative part of me, because I spent a lot of the time debugging errors, so progress was slow. It took a while for me to figure out it wasn't my thing, must be the stubborn, and proud part of me that wanted to prove something, that kept me at it for so long.

But once I started writing full time, I still struggle, but the process is a lot more enjoyable.

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