10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Working On My First Set
By Barbara Babarinsa, Head of Production, FilmOne Studios My first experience on a film set was as a Production Assistant (PA) on a TV commercial. Since then, I’ve grown into a full-fledged producer, and while I don’t have regrets, I’ve gained insights over time that would have helped me better navigate that first experience. Below are ten key lessons I believe every first timer should know before stepping onto a film set. 1. Know the Story Before your first day, read the script thoroughly. Understand the plot, the tone, and the message. Know the key characters and familiarize yourself with the cast and crew. This helps you stay present and engaged and prevents you from looking lost or disconnected when anyone, especially a cast member or senior crew, asks questions about the production. 2. Offer Value No matter your role, always seek to fill a gap or solve a problem. Don’t just wait to be told what to do observe, identify needs, and take initiative. Value isn’t always in the title; it’s in what you contribute. 3. Be Skilled in the Role You Were Hired For Whether you’re a PA, camera assistant, makeup artist, or script supervisor, know your job well. When you’re competent, people respect your presence. If you’re not confident or knowledgeable, you may become a target for dismissal, disrespect, or being overlooked. Master your craft respect follows skill. 4. Stay Curious and Observant You must always learn. Observe everything and how departments work, how problems are solved, how people communicate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; curiosity shows commitment and is often the first step to growth in the film industry. 5. Be Prepared Anything Can Happen As a producer, one of the most critical skills I’ve developed is crisis management. Film sets are dynamic environments. Delays, weather, technical failures, actor issues, anything can happen. You need to stay calm under pressure, think quickly, and rely on your team. 6. Build Strong Team Relationships Production is never a solo effort. You must earn the trust of your crew. When a crisis hits, the strength of your working relationships often determines how quickly problems are solved. Treat people with respect crew loyalty is built, not demanded. 7. Vet Accommodation and Feeding Early Logistics can make or break a production. Always ensure that cast and crew accommodation is clean, safe, and ready, and that food service is reliable and appropriate. Nothing causes disruption like tired, hungry, or uncomfortable people. 8. Lock Locations Properly Ensure that all locations are legally and clearly secured. There should be no room for confusion between the person who rented it to you and other stakeholders. Always get written agreements, confirm access rights, and do a final reconfirmation before shoot day. 9. Self Development is Key Always keep improving yourself. Attend trainings, ask for feedback, and take notes on set. The film industry rewards those who evolve. Being a generalist in the early stages helps too and understanding multiple departments gives you an edge as you grow. 10. Always Be Ready In production, readiness is everything. From knowing where gear is kept, to being physically and mentally prepared for long hours, your ability to anticipate needs and stay one step ahead sets you apart.
The Future of Nollywood: Our Stories, Our Growth, Our Time
By Aramide Pearce, Public Relations And Communications Executive, Filmhouse Group The Nigerian film industry also known as Nollywood has come a long way from the days of the ’90s when stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus, Eucharia Anunobi, Segun Arinze, and Ramsey Nouah were the names everyone knew, to now, when our industry is the third-largest film industry in the world. It has been a journey full of creativity and resilience. We still remember how quickly films were made back then, with whatever resources were on hand. Things have changed a lot since then our stories have gotten richer, production quality has improved, and streaming platforms investing in Nigerian content have finally put us on the global map. That growth is amazing, but it also brings new challenges and opportunities for all of us in the industry. So, if you are a filmmaker or creative trying to navigate Nollywood’s future, here are some tips to help you stay ahead and thrive: 1. Use Digital Platforms to Your Advantage Streaming services like Showmax are hungry for real Nigerian stories. Don’t just think of them as places to show your films. Use social media and analytics to engage your audience and grow your reach. 2. Focus on Quality Storytelling and Production Today’s viewers expect more. Better scripts, clearer sound, sharper visuals. You don’t need a huge budget to improve your film; simple things like a good microphone or editing software can make a huge difference. 3. Protect Your Work from Piracy Piracy still steals from us. Use tools like digital rights management, watermark your films, and register your work properly. Building good relationships with streaming platforms can also help keep your content safe. 4. Network Beyond the Usual Circles Collaboration will always be key. Go to film festivals, webinars, and industry events to meet new people both at home and abroad. These connections can open doors for co-productions, funding, and more distribution opportunities. 5. Keep Learning and Embrace Innovation The digital age gives us powerful tools to tell authentic, bold stories to the world. Stay up to date with things like virtual production and AI editing and keep improving your skills through workshops and courses. Yes, we still face challenges like piracy and infrastructure gaps. But Nollywood is full of resilience and creativity just like that Nigerian spirit that refuses to quit. We always find a way to make magic happen. The future of Nollywood is bright, but it’s not just the industry’s future, it’s ours too. We are excited to see where we will take it next, and we hope you are too.