Meet Ifeanyi Ezieme

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ifeanyi Ezieme. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ifeanyi below.

Ifeanyi, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
In an industry where burnout is very common, it’s a blessing that I have several mediums to exercise my God-given gifts. I’m primarily known as a writer/director, but before I made films, I was a musician. I played piano, trumpet, and drum set in my school’s jazz band, marching band, and sometimes church. Before that, I drew, because I wanted to be a comic book writer and illustrator. So when burnout approaches after seasons of exceptionally high demand for my primary trade (directing), once said project is completed, I experience a strong urge to delve into music, sometimes for a few weeks and occasionally extending to months. However long those juices flow. I try my best not to suppress creative urges. Because often times that excitement or boost makes up for all the previous creative blocks. Afterward, I tend to find myself re-inspired and rejuvenated to engage with my main trade again, which is to write and direct movies.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a multi-hyphenated creative with a primary focus in film & television directing. In addition to film I write & produce music, mentor emerging filmmakers, and now incorporate YouTube as part of my professional portfolio.

Though I spend a healthy amount of time making music, I keep that side of my personality pretty lowkey. I’ve been told I need to promote my music more so here we are. If you’re interested in peeping my lil ‘ol tunes, you can find me on all platforms under “FaniTsunami”. Got some heat dropping March 2024.

YouTube is the latest addition to my professional journey. I’ve used YouTube to showcase some of my previous work like “Scam Squad” & trailers to upcoming films, but recently, I’ve accepted that maybe it’s time to start a 2nd channel with a specific purpose. Since 2019, I’ve taken countless meetings with people who’ve been inspired by my filmmaking journey, wanting to learn about the next steps they could take to further their career. I’ve mentored several emerging creatives — most of whom I didn’t know personally. It didn’t dawn upon me until January 2024 that it’s probably a good idea to start a Youtube channel dedicated to tracking my journey of navigating the film industry while providing mentorship & advice to those who want to learn from me. There aren’t many channels I see doing that. Likely because this industry is very difficult to break in to. But there’s no gate keeping on this side. It’s all love. My new channel launches in March 2024. Subscribe to “Fani, The Filmmaker” https://www.youtube.com/@FaniTheFilmmaker

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most important qualities, skills, and/or areas of knowledge that I’ve acquired over the years are as follows:

1) “Unwavering creativity is worth far more than what money can produce.” This quote stems from my experience creating films that appeared more expensive than their actual budgets. Coming from a background of limited resources, particularly for film projects, I was hesitant to bring my sci-fi and action visions to life. To overcome this, I began with simpler, more grounded ideas, mastering the fundamentals while maximizing the free assets around me. This mindset not only bolstered my confidence in realizing how to execute ambitious ideas with minimal resources, but it also created the illusion of having a higher production value. The idea that filmmaking is a “rich man’s sport” is a myth. Well, I guess it’s only true if “production value = good movie” to you. Most people don’t see cinema that way, you likely don’t either. So focus on story, focus on the free resources around you, and make the best minimal budget masterpiece you can. Money is only a tool, not the shed.

2) “Don’t let other people’s opinions of you affect how you choose to interact with them.” This applies to all aspects of life, not just your career. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you’ll inevitably encounter people who will speak ill and/or try to sabotage you for whatever reason. Doesn’t matter how much kindness, honesty, and integrity you lead with, there will always be those who want to dim your light. There are two things you can do: Retaliate by spending a great deal of energy trying to get some kind of revenge, or, forgive that person and proceed forward with love. Keep in mind, the second option is not for them, it’s for you. You’ll preserve so much peace and energy that can then be invested into your goals. Vengeance burns gas quick, but forgiveness puts you miles ahead of the rest.

3) “Take accountability for everything that happens to you.” With this quote I am not implying that everything that happens to you is your fault, I am simply saying that adopting this mindset is the quickest way to becoming the absolute best version of yourself. The average adult makes about 35,000 choices everyday. It would be narcissistic to think that every choice you make is the most optimal. Taking accountability allows you to consistently introspect on how you engage with the world. How do you treat yourself? How do you speak about others? Was that a necessary purchase? Could I have used that time better? It’s so easy to blame someone or something for why you are where you are. But critically analyzing how your choices compound over time is how you get 1% better everyday.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
If you’re interested in becoming a film director or simply a leader on any team, it is absolutely crucial to first gain experience in as many different departments as possible. Unless you’re a one-person operation, directing or leading means there’s a team. Team members typically possess skills across various disciplines meant to accomplish a specific goal. To effectively lead amongst these disciplines, you must first understand how to translate your vision into their language. When I first attended film school, I worked on other student productions as a producer, cinematographer, editor, boom operator, sound designer, etc. even though directing was my goal. Eventually when I stepped into the director’s shoes, I understood that I was part of a team greater than myself; having a great deal of respect for each department. I had confidence in framing my vision because I spoke from experience. So I wholeheartedly stand by the idea that if you want to be a leader, you should aim to be as well rounded as possible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Efren Zapata Moises Barba Jr. Claire Fagin J. Zachary Thurman

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,