How Tinsel Led Me to Set Designing – Mayowa Labiran

From a budding career as an actor, Mayowa Labiran, currently one of the few female set designers in Nigeria’s film industry, fell on a chanced event that led unto the path that now brings her so much joy and professional fulfilment. The graduate of the Performing Arts Department of the University of Ilorin speaks to eelive.ng about how she stumbled on set designing and how it has become vocation she would not trade for any other.

When you were a student at the university of Ilorin or at any time before then, did art direction occur to you as a career choice?

By the time I finished secondary school, I knew I wanted to go into entertainment, but I didn’t know what I wanted.  I wanted to entertain, inform and enlighten people. That was why I opted to study Performing Arts. I thought acting could get me into the system. And I enjoyed every moment of learning at the University, acting on stage was really beautiful and at no point did I focus on set design. I majored in directing for my final project, so, design and art direction was not part of my career choice.  I just wanted to finish school and go straight into acting which was my first love.

Was there any childhood experience or exposure that may have contributed to the development of your career?

I watched a lot of movies, Indian movies mostly. I enjoyed the music, acting and colours they threw into their movies.  I didn’t know what it was at that time, but it was beautiful and entertaining I could watch a movie over and over again and knew I wanted to do the same. And I think that laid a foundation that I didn’t even realise in my subconscious.

What exactly is art directing and what endowments do you need to excel in it?

Well, according to Harn, the Art Director’s department is the back-end situation room for concentrated researches, raw ideas for countless imageries; drafts, storyboards, sketches, painting and layouts that support the tone, texture and genre of the film in the making.

Art Directors enable the visual presentation of stories to be organised, detailed and interesting. The art department consists of, set department, make up, wardrobe and props, the art director sees to it that all departments work according to the stipulations of the scripts and the director.

To be an art director, you have to know the basic elements of design as that is what you would need to define or determine what goes into a production, for an art director you need to constantly research to know and keep in touch with the dynamic tones and hues of productions.

Getting into Nollywood is herculean for many graduates of theatre arts, how did it happen for you and what advice do you have for younger ones?

My first acting job was given to me by Tunde Olaoye who was the Director of the show Family Ties where I played the role of Nurse Dupe. After that, it still didn’t get any easier; we all know how the industry is so I kept trying and pushing.

But my major break came when I was invited for an interview on Tinsel as a set dresser. That was huge. From then on, it has been an awesome journey of designing for films, series and TV shows. I am grateful to God for where I am and praying for successes in my career.

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Why did you go to interview as set dresser though? Were you tired of acting or what?

Oh no! I wasn’t tired of acting but I always loved Tinsel and really wanted to be on the show. It didn’t matter what capacity I functioned, I just wanted to be part of the show and so, when that opportunity arose, I jumped at it. Fortunately, I got the role. I was given a chance by Rogers Ofime who was producer then, in spite of my limited knowledge of design because all I knew was from the little I learnt at the university. I fell in love with design and creating and here we are today. 

So, this opportunity brought about a change in career, looks like God used that to set you on the right path?

Exactly! I mean, it was nothing I ever thought of but I got the role and I loved it. I loved how it went on for me and I stuck with it since then. I think I was the only lady on that set for the six years or so that I was there. Tinsel was a learning experience for me and it was a fantastic period of my life which I would not change for anything.

What has been your most challenging production yet?  Why was it challenging and how did you deal with the challenges that it posed? What are you working on now?

I really cannot say a particular production is the most challenging because all productions come with their own challenges; and each one is treated accordingly. We are looking on a couple of projects within and outside Nigeria all I can say for now is watch out for our productions

Did you have anyone you looked up to when you started in the industry and are you mentoring anyone now?

I had great bosses starting out who were highly experienced I learnt a lot from them; which has helped build me to the point I am. Their constructive criticisms helped build. They are the people I go to whenever I’m stuck or need a second opinion on designs; and they have never failed me. Top of that list is Rogers Ofime, Leo Omosebi and Mpho Makhobotloane . I have so many colleagues in the industry that have one-way or another helped me grow I say thank you.

Right now, I am not mentoring anyone hopefully that will change soon.

How do you improve yourself and keep up to date with innovations in your area?

I do a lot of research and attend career development classes. I watch other people from and gain lessons from them. I attend conferences and participate in design shows and competitions.

What are some of the movies/television shows you have worked on?

Hmm, that would include Tinsel, Johnson’s Mystic, River Zone 222, Oloibiri, This Lady called Life, Kamibili, Alakada (Party Planner), Oga Bolaji, Hush, Hotel Majestic, Zero Hour and Taurarin Zamani, a TV show.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what has patterned the person that you have become?

My name is Mayowa Labiran. I actually grew up in Ilorin where I  attended University of Ilorin Secondary School and proceeded to the Performing Arts Department of the University of Ilorin.  I come from a family of four. I am married; I really don’t have a favorite food as long as the food is really good (lol I’m a foodie). Family is what has patterned me to who I have become they are very supportive; and they have also taught me that I can be anything I want to be. I am determined to treat people well, accept people and also totally rely on God.

What counsel would you want to give younger people who may be interested in what you do?

I would say know what you want, study and stay focused, stay creative and be ready to learn new things, remain teachable.