Why I worked as art director on Jagun Jagun movie – Afolayan

Forum 9 months ago

Why I worked as art director on Jagun Jagun movie – Afolayan

Following the success of the epic movie and Netflix Original, Jagun Jagun (The Warrior), Nollywood art director, Olatunji Afolayan, has reminisced on the impact of his role in the blockbuster.

Afolayan, while speaking with our correspondent explained that the movie’s storyline separated it from many other blockbuster projects he had worked on.

The movie featured Femi Adebayo, Adedimeji Lateef, Bimbo Ademoye, Faithia Balogun, Mr. Macaroni, Bukunmi Oluwasina, Ibrahim Yekini, Muyiwa Ademola and Ibrahim Chatta, amongst others.

He said, “The first thing to note was that the story was very good. We had enough time to stimulate the idea we conceived. We started working on the pre-production two months before the shooting. I didn’t do any job in the meantime, I simply focused on Jagun Jagun.

“We started building the set. We planned four months before shooting and began working on designing and costumes.”

Afolayan, however, said Jagun Jagun was not his first hit as an art director. “We have worked with notable and experienced film directors such as Tunde Kelani, Jimi Odumosu, Izu Ojukwu, Daniel Ademnokan, Iyke Okogwu, Dare Olaitan, Moses Nwang, Bayo Tijani, Darasen Richards, Kemi Adetiba, Jade Oshiberu, Kunle Afolayan, Aje Films, Dk K, Ayoola Opeere, Oluseyi Asurf and Taiwo Badejo (Badest), just to mention a few.”

“For my team, to get the best out of any brief as far as art directing is concerned. We ride on the pedestrian that has to be a master of cinematic storytelling. Not just that, we seek to present visual storytelling – creating spellbinding worlds on screen through art.

“Originality is a big deal for us and via professional art directing, we are confident that our team of boundary-pushing artists, who challenge the status quo and elevate the craft of art direction will keep changing narratives, one set at a time.”

Having worked on so many notable projects, Afolayan said it was difficult to rank any above the others.

“If I would pick the best 20, everyone is on the same scale. It majorly depends on your perception of the said movie and the angle you’re taking it from.

“Every movie has its feel and look. Every movie has different motives and what it stands to achieve. Every project I’ve worked on has its unique input. My movies are projects that I pay particular attention to. It is a hard task to pick the best job so far because I have worked on different projects with different perspectives,” he added.