I'M NOT A REGULAR SCREENWRITER ADIO SOLANKE

In a world where ordinary is overrated, meet Adio Solanke- a master of extra ordinary!An award winning screenwriter, an editor with blockbuster movies to his credit, a director and a film maker par excellence Party Jollof Africa was with this soft spoken genius some weeks ago in an exclusive interview. He spoke about his days as an undergraduate of the department of dramatic art at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, amid being the son of the popular entertainment maestro Jimmy Solanke.........Buckle up for this inspiring conversation! Shall we?

PJA: Tell us about your early day as a dramatic student?

Adio: As shocking as it may sound, I’m a very quiet person not out-going at all, if you put water in my mouth in the morning you might meet it later at night, so people were surprised I want to study dramatic part but a lot of people didn’t know there is part of me that can study dramatic art.

Getting into Obafemi Awolowo University dramatic art. It influenced me to talk , I learned to be more expressive. I met amazing people.

PJA : How did studying dramatic art influence your career?

Adio: (smiles) it does influence my career as a film maker because I found my tribe, I wouldn’t have discovered that part of my identity. I found my tribe in the likes of Biyi Toluwalashe, Emmanuel Igbekele and we all are now film makers, even our seniors then were amazing, the gave us heads up into the industry quickly. They gave us some nuggets we needed.I have been going to film festivals since my year two.They opened our eyes to the real world. All that with the best tribe and like minds. We can't but be a great film maker! I don't joke with my tribe,those guys are the best!

PJA: You acted back on campus, but now you have evolved into being behind the scene? How did that happened?

Adio: (Smiles) I remember even with all the stage plays I have always been part of the people putting the plays together even if I’m going to be a performer now, I will prefer a stage play. The feedback, tone, the control and everything.

PJA: : You are an editor and screenwrite now a director, what’s the inspiration behind that?

Adio: Early days of my film making, I was already editing and directing. I started directing short films even before I left school,did one for a web show called “what women want by Ore Ajewole. Did some writing for some commercial purpose but at a point I stopped. (cut-in)

Party Jollof: Why did you stop?

Adio: I'm not a regular writer,I discover my kind of writing isn’t conventionaI .Can write my own story, in a unique way. I remember I was in writer’s room for a very popular production company for a series and they are planning to get to a new season. I end up not writing because the head writer was like “if you want win award this is not where you can, you are thanking to much, your writing is too strong” and at that point I was like I’m not a regular writer who write common story, just something deep a little away from norm. I like intriguing stories not the very regular ones.

Most of my works are in post-production, I produce …… and assistant directed, edited “About a boy and his muse”. You will see it when it out.

PJA: Being the son of the famous Jimmy Solanke how did you cave a niche for yourself in the industry.?

Adio: Funmy enough people still ask if we are related tough my middle name is Jimmy, so my dad named me after him, I don’t add that to my name intentionally. My dad was more known in the traditional storytelling, music and entertainment. Can’t say I’m carving my niche because his blood run in my veins. My dad is a very creative person, I can’t enter his shoes They are quite big!. There are stories I will tell that is inspired by my dad, might not just be the way he will tell the story.I live with my dad all my life. My Dad is a huge inspiration.

PJA f: Tell us about your unforgettable projects?

Adio: A play I wrote with my dad titled “Onidiri in 2018/2019 at the national theatre for a festival, it was my dad that got the gig through from Lagos state So my dad called me to come do my thing,since I studied dramatic art. My mum acted in the play too. I really enjoyed that moment. My Dad is such a genius,the play was fantastic. Everyone love it. I can forget another movie "Between Silence and Trust"which I Co directed with my wife. My wife is the director,I love the experience on set, though we worked with more people. It's one I will always remember.

PJ.A.: Do you think there is head for new faces in Nollywood?

Adio: Of course, as much as we have accepted a lot of actors who we can’t stop loving we still need some new ones though.

PJA: If you are to choose between editing directing and producing. Which is your core?.

Adio: Please add writing, first of, I will remove producing from the list. Producing doesn't come easy for me. It’s a lot. I love the three, they are different stage of telling stories. I love the three. Starting of my career, behind the camera,it was paying more,and we have to eat. When you live school and the reality of adulthood hit you with bills, editing was paying and thank God I've realized from school.

PJA: What are your reservations about Nollywood?

Adio: In Nigeria we tell stories that are not even Nigerian and it makes our industry look so very small. It is a story that will not really place a positive value on being a Nigerian. Sometimes it can be exhausting when we don't promote the best of us to the world.

PJA: Do you have directors who have influenced or inspired your work?

Adio: I love referencing as back as an undergraduate days. I love Tosin Igho, I have been a fan of his work since “suspicion Guy” I have worked with Kayoode Kasum. They both have a compelling was of telling a story I love their work.

PJA: If you are to work with any director both in Hollywood and in Nollywood who would that be?

Adio: Edgar wright, a British film maker, I love to work with. His style is different and I admire his work.

Tosin Egho I would like to edit some of his films

PJA: How does it feels to be married to a director?

Adio: It’s beautiful, I love the fact that she understand everything I’m doing we are in sync. I'm happy I married a good director though.A very good one at that.

PJA: What should we expect from you in 2025?

Adio: We have our first feature film “Between silence and truth” and other movies we produced for other companies. The movie "The boy and his muse" has been to some film festivals and we thank God it won some awards. Hopefully it will come out soon, can't say the streaming platform though.

PJA: What are you most grateful for?

Adio: I'm grateful for everything! Life and all regardless!

PJA: What motivate you?

Adio : Apart from a very good story,the renumeration also motivate you too. You have money to film,you should pay the editor too.

I'm a sucker for a very good story and I'm happy I'm part of it when I'm editing too. So producer shouldn't motivate us by paying well.(Smiles).