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In it for the Thrill:
Interview with Samuel Nkwume
By Adeline J. Wells
Samuel Nkwume is an accomplished producer of thriller films. Born and raised in Nigeria, Nkwume began his career as an auditor before choosing to pursue his creative interests and study film.
Now residing in Los Angeles, he has produced several award-winning shorts that have impressed the festival circuit.
Having recently branched into the roles of writer and director as well, Nkwume is now gearing up to make his first feature film.
You originally began with a career in accounting before shifting to film. What sparked that change in profession for you?
I began my career working as an auditor for an accounting firm; unfortunately, there is no room for creativity as an auditor.
Back home in Nigeria, the majority of young people are encouraged to pursue traditional higher professions; to become a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, or an engineer. There weren't many opportunities to explore creative professions.
I'd been working as an auditor for about eight months when I realized that I couldn't continue doing so, and that I'd rather do what I truly wanted to pursue, which was film.
Have you seen any benefits that your background in accounting has in your current career?
It has definitely been helpful to have some background knowledge in accounting. I now work as a line producer, which encompasses working on a film's budget, pretty much a direct link to my former line of work.
Of course, the budgets I worked on as an auditor are totally different from the budgets I work on now, but the basic principles remain the same.
Other skills, such as scheduling and being detail-oriented, have been helpful as well when carrying out the role of producer.
What are some films that have shaped your interest and work in the industry today?
When I was ten or eleven years old, I saw The Shining for the first time. I remember watching while sitting on my couch at home, and just being fully sucked into the film.
Everything about it blew me away, from the mise-en-scène to the edits, the story, and the sound design especially. I told myself then and there that I wanted to be creative; I wanted to make films that had that kind of strong impact on people.
This was in the early 2000's; a few years later I watched the 2014 film Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck. That film truly cemented my interest in film; I knew that I wanted to make films with that level of art and intensity.
I wanted to be part of the creative aspect of telling stories; to create thrillers. Those are the two major films that inspired me early on.
What draws you into a particular project or film?
The quality of the story is definitely the main drawing point for me. Everyone always loves a good story, but it hits differently when it's only an idea that you approach from behind the scenes.
There is something special about reading an exciting new script for the first time, and discussing the possibilities with the director, co-producers, and other people on the project.
When you're working on a film that lacks a truly great story, it becomes just like any other job. You are going to really put in all your effort when you're working with a storyline that you're passionate about, and people can see that payoff once the film is made.
That being said, I definitely feel most drawn to creating thriller films. When creating thrillers, you simply have to be able to tell a good story; you have to be able to truly connect the audience with the film's characters, otherwise it doesn't work.
Relatable characters are key for any film, but the typical intense climax at the end of thriller films only works if the audience can truly identify with the characters and follow their story arc with them.
Out for release next year, The Sweepers is the first full-length film that you have produced. How did that experience compare to producing shorts?
It was quite a different experience because, as opposed to creating shorts, this feature film required almost a thirty-day shoot. I've worked on other feature productions, but this was my first time doing so in the role of a producer; the production process is much more drawn out.
The shoot went smoothly for the most part, mostly due to our extensive preparation ahead of time. Yet you know how it is; regardless of how much you prep issues still always arise. Luckily the role of producer is all about solving problems, which I enjoy.
Another film, The Decision, is an award-winning short that you not only produced but also wrote and directed. What can you tell us about that film, as well as the experience of creating it?
The Decision was one of the first films that I've ever directed, let alone written; the entire experience with the film was different than that of just a typical producer.
Undertaking the role of the director comes with much more stress than that of a producer, as a lot of the creativity for the film rests on you.
Additionally, I was in charge of all the general issues that accompany the making of a film, such as those with actors, location, etc. It typically isn't the director's job to deal with those minute problems.
Yet when working on small, indie projects such as this, everyone is required to wear different hats to ensure that production flows smoothly.
Overall, The Decision was a great experience; I learned a lot through the process of creating this film, and I will definitely take that knowledge with me as I move forward to new projects.
Who in the film industry would you like to work with in the future?
The first person who comes to mind is actor Daniel Kaluuya, the lead star of the 2017 film Get Out.
I'd also love to work with that film's director and producer, Jordan Peele. He's one of my favorite creators of thriller films today.
Sarah Paulson is another actress I'd love to work with eventually, as well.
Looking forward, what types of projects would you like to work on next?
I would like to work on television shows at some point in the future. That's something that I haven't branched into yet; while I know that the process is similar to that of producing films, there are definitely lots of differences in terms of logistics and such.
I'd like to explore working on a project that is more drawn out in terms of storyline, as opposed to shorts and feature films. Additionally, I'd like to expand and take on the role of director more often.
Are there any other projects that you have on the horizon?
Game of Fear is my latest project that I've been working on; it is a feature film based on the short of The Decision. The film has been in development for the past year, and we're planning to go into pre-production this spring.
Should shooting and post-production go smoothly, the film should hopefully be released in December, or in early 2023.
Game of Fear is about an agoraphobic teen who is afraid of going outside beyond the confines of his home. His brother encourages him to move out and escape their controlling mother, until he is suddenly killed.
The teen is then forced to abandon his fears and help find the killer, yet his mother will stop at nothing to ensure that he doesn't leave the house and find his power. And it will be a thriller, of course.
For more updates on Nkwume's work, please visit www.SamuelNkwume.com.
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