[00:00:00] Speaker A: Hey, it's not every day we hear about young men who know exactly what they want to do. And welcome to another episode of why not you? This is your host, Dee Wells. And today we're diving into a fascinating discussion with our guests, ife omene and Wade Simmons, two dynamic individuals navigating their dreams with passion and resilience. They both started their journeys with unique paths. Evie bravely dropped out of college to follow his filmmaking dream, while Wade has been taking on the world with his latest project series love always wins.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: Now miss having adventures like being a mortician. Also, they'll share how connections, mentorships, and.
[00:00:43] Speaker A: The relentless pursuit of their craft have shaped their careers in the film industry.
Let's get it started, y'all. Let's go.
[00:00:52] Speaker C: Welcome to another episode of why not you? With your host, Derek Wells, where we talk with leaders and entrepreneurs who are doing what they love.
They'll share insights into overcoming adversity, the systems they use, along with the power of personal growth, faith, and much more. Our goal is to empower you with personal growth, faith, and a plan for ultimate success. Now here's Derek with another life changing story.
[00:01:21] Speaker D: How you been, bro?
[00:01:23] Speaker E: Oh, man, I've been good, man. I appreciate you for having me back on again. It means a lot to me. So, what's the latest and greatest you got going on so last? What was that, man? I don't forgot what day it was. Was it last? Was it Tuesday or Friday?
Sometime last week? I feel I had. I had, um, did a new episode of my own web series, love always wins. I did an episode about, uh, believe it or not, I did an episode about hair because, like, I feel like in our culture, I think our hair is pretty cool, because I know, like, me, like, a lot of times, I got. I'm rocking my fro right now. I got it covered up. But can I touch your hair? Why so nappy? Why I look like that? But I'm like, you know, hey, God made all I have beautiful. So, like, you know, represent the culture a little bit.
[00:02:12] Speaker D: That's right.
So how.
[00:02:16] Speaker B: So when is this gonna come out?
[00:02:19] Speaker E: Probably by next week.
I work pretty swiftly. If. If it's good. If it's.
[00:02:25] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:02:25] Speaker E: If I do a little more work, then I touch it up a bit. But, yeah, because, like, my webseries all about love, so I try to keep everything centered around that. And so, like, I don't know, I feel like, you know, you should love who you are. I love everything about you.
[00:02:39] Speaker D: Right? What's.
[00:02:40] Speaker E: I know? I think we're working towards perfection, but I still think you got. You got to love yourself, man. It's. I think that's important.
[00:02:47] Speaker D: That is.
[00:02:48] Speaker B: So what made you come up with the, uh, the. The series, actually?
[00:02:53] Speaker E: So when I was in film school, we had learned a lot about, like, the film industry, like, how to, like, you know, negotiate how to pitch films and ideas. And there was a one teacher, his name was Bradley LaRocco.
He made me the producer on one of his student film projects. He. He had told me straight up, he's like, you know, you know, he said, well, you a young man with a unique background, like, you're a filmmaker and you work in the funeral business. She like, so I'm pretty sure, like, you may have really some interesting things. So I was like, I got this idea, like, I want to pitch it to, like, you know, maybe Netflix or, you know, one of them bigger places, Amazon or whatever. And he was like, why don't you just make it yourself? And I thought about it, and so I took his advice. So, like, while I was in film school, I started producing, like, the first episode. It was a disaster, by the way, too, because the first episode was called repeat. And the reason why I was called repeat, because when I went to mortuary school, I had to start over. So I was poking fun at myself, like, so basically, it was about, you know, me failing this class, and then I had to start do the class again, and I had the same teacher. But then the funny thing about it was that the person that was supposed to play way didn't show up. So I actually had somebody to actually play me, and they didn't show up. So, you know, knowing me, the person I am, I'm like, wait a minute. I don't pay people to come. I did all this, and I got actors to come and all this. I'm like, no. And so the guy, Ben, he helps me direct sometimes. Ben is kind of like, man, he's like. Like a really good friend. Like, anything I need, he got my back. And, like, when I first approached him, like, with the script, right?
I ain't really feeling this way, like, being like, what is this?
But I appreciate that he went ahead and, like, you know, gave it a chance to direct it anyway. But anyway, the person that was supposed to play me didn't show up. So he like, why don't you do the part?
[00:04:52] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:04:53] Speaker E: So I'm like, you know, I guess it only makes sense. Like, you know, I'm not really. I'm. I mean, even though it is acting, I mean, hey, I'm playing myself, so I get to be me. So.
[00:05:07] Speaker B: But you said a couple of things. Just when you're talking about the idea, and you were talking about, like, kind of like, whether or not you should pitch it to, like, Netflix or Amazon, and then you had this. This other person that you trust was like, why don't you do it yourself?
I mean, how much. How much time do you think you would have lost? Or.
No, I don't want to say loss, because, I mean, if you're. If you're productive, you're not losing time, but how much time do you think you would actually spent on trying to, you know, you have this idea, and then you're trying to pitch it to Netflix or just, like, a major company like that?
[00:05:51] Speaker E: Yeah, it would have been, man, it would have been probably. And it would have been tough, because, first of all, nothing is impossible. But, like, when you're dealing with that type of structure, you gotta go agents, you know, you gotta go through all these different drives of the script, because, of course, they're, you know, to be honest, all of us are artists. All of us are creative, but their business model is not for everybody. It's like, you gotta kind of jump through hoops and all this, and, you know, so, to me, it's like, you're right. Like, I think there would have been too much time. And me being a person that worked in the funeral business, I know time away on nobody. So I'm like, while I'm in film school, but I got access to this equipment, I'm gonna take advantage of it.
[00:06:32] Speaker D: That's right.
[00:06:33] Speaker E: And by the time I got out of film school, I had already produced, like, 14 short films, and I was only there for, like, two years.
[00:06:41] Speaker D: Wow. So you were grinding, you know, wasted no time.
[00:06:48] Speaker B: But how does a house. Just how. How important is that, though, when you. When you think about it? Just, you know, having somebody that believes in your own ability, and he just put that in your mind, like, wait, man, you could do this yourself. You don't need nobody else. You only one of these major companies to do what you're doing.
[00:07:06] Speaker E: I appreciate that, because, you know, like, the interesting thing about film school that a lot of people may not know that there are a lot of, you know, people out here doing really amazing things that actually teach it. Like, some of these movies that we actually watch back in the day, like, no Terminator and, you know, some of these, you know, bigger pictures, like, you know, even maybe, like, Jurassic park. Like, a lot of times, we pay a lot of attention to those names at the top. But what people don't realize is that some of those names in the credit may actually be one of your teachers, you know, because even, even Spike Lee, if I understand, like, he actually teaches a film school, too. So a lot of people may be surprised. But, like, what a lot of, like, filmmakers do, some of them actually become teachers and still work as a full time filmmaker and then part time teacher, or full time teacher, part time filmmaker. So, like, they, some of them knows the business. So it's like, you know, to kind of get that advice from him, it was, it was really cool because, like, if you look up Bradley Larocco, he, you know, he's out here doing some things, too. Like, all of my teachers there, Patrick Underwood, he had a movie called middle distance. I think he had put it on, like, Amazon prime. One of my good teacher, John Otterbak, he's always producing, like, you know, he came out one of my film premiere and then bill back, and he worked for HBO, worked on Veggie Tales. So I thought that was pretty cool. Like, I met a lot of, lot of cool people, so, like, to have them behind me, it meant a lot.
[00:08:34] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:08:35] Speaker B: And I think that's just amazing that you had all these people who are excelling in their, in their craft and they're doing things, but they're also willing to share with you, you know what I'm saying? Just to give back and may just make you more aware of just the. Not only the business side, but just how to be disciplined in your craft and things to look out for so you can actually excel.
[00:09:01] Speaker E: Yeah, you're right, because I'm texting if you now he may hop on with us. I'm like, anybody can. Cause, like, you know. But, yeah, it's like, I'm grateful that I went there because, like, I met so many talented people. And it was really funny because, like, you know, right after I went to mortuary school, I was kind of struggling. Like, I'm like, well, if the mortuary thing don't work out, what am I gonna do? So, like, you know, I went to. I went out to Vegas to work with my uncle because he's a, you know, they. My family's in the plumbing business, so I'm like, you know, maybe I can try it. But I went out there, I'm like, you know what? I had to get a gap talking to people. And it was funny, but the plumbing part of it, I'm like, you know where you better.
[00:09:41] Speaker D: Cup of tea, huh?
[00:09:42] Speaker E: So I ended up going to film school, and it was, like, the best decision I could have made. Like, I know, I know some people, like, you know, it was funny because, like, my friend trace would always, you know, we're in school getting a meaningless degree.
Like, we ain't gonna do that with this. But, I mean, in spite of, it's like, you know, it's more to it than just getting a degree. Like, it's the connection, you know?
[00:10:04] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:10:04] Speaker E: It's being able to use the equipment, and, I mean, you know, people don't necessarily have to go, but, I mean, I'm glad that I went, you know?
[00:10:12] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:10:13] Speaker B: And you said something earlier. You said, you're talking about time don't waste on or time doesn't wait on anybody when you have to, because I know sometimes, man, when you, especially in this industry, where you got to create content, you got to learn new things, and sometimes it's like you just want to go, go, go, and you don't want to spend a whole lot of time.
[00:10:35] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:10:36] Speaker B: Learning something new. But when you think about that, I guess the position that you're in, how much. How much value do you actually put into actually learning new stuff, or.
[00:10:49] Speaker E: Let me see if that's the right way.
[00:10:51] Speaker B: How do you actually decipher what's important to learn and what's not important to learn for what you do?
[00:11:01] Speaker E: I think it's the quality of the work. Like, I mean, cameras really matter. I mean, lights matter, but I. But, I mean. But if you look at the way that the world is now, right.
Social media changed the business model for filmmaking a lot because there's a lot of people producing content just with their cell phones. And, I mean, you know, people look at it. There are people with a lot of followers. I mean, you know, some legit, some not, you know, but.
[00:11:28] Speaker D: Right.
[00:11:28] Speaker E: Nevertheless, you know, you got a lot of people actually able to use this. This little thing here. Yeah, they're able to do a lot. So I think, to me, it's just. I guess sometimes it's just. It's what you're willing to do with it and how you reach people, because I learned this. Like, you can have the best camera. You got the best stuff, but sometimes people may not even look at you.
[00:11:50] Speaker D: Work.
[00:11:50] Speaker E: Yeah, a person can have maybe not so great quality and a decent things. So I just think it just depends on what matter. But to me, I think all of it matters. Like, you know, if you don't have the best of the land, just, you know, work with what you have. But one thing I learned about the film industry, I believe it works two ways. Part of it nowadays is that anybody can post. Anybody can put things on social media. That's the cool thing. But it's like when you want to really get into, like, actually making a living out of it, you know, you may have to, you know, you. You might. You might have to still kind of, like, maybe work with somebody or, you know, get under studio and get an intern. Like, it's not definite that you have to, but it's like if you want to, you know, learn it on that level, then you probably want to, you know, possibly hook up with somebody to have done that before, and then they can, you know, give you pointers. Like, like they said there are gatekeepers and stuff in that industry and all that, but, you know, they don't. They don't put like this. They can't stop you. I mean, it's like, if you want to get in the way that they're doing it did, you got to follow their structure? But if you just want to, you know, be more independent and just have fun and just, you know, be satisfied with making whatever you make. Hey, you know, the world is yours. You know, the world is mine because I'm an indies guy. I love it. You know, I'm not against anybody that's doing the other thing, but I work too hard to kind of, you know, let somebody just put me where they want me to be. Like, I like doing what I'm doing, you know?
[00:13:16] Speaker D: Right.
[00:13:17] Speaker E: Don't get me wrong. Like, you know, I don't proclaim to be the best at anything. I'm just partaking in the industry, that's all.
[00:13:24] Speaker D: That's it.
[00:13:25] Speaker E: Yeah, I'm just having fun with them. Like, I don't like, to me, I never get into, like, oh, man, I'm the best. I'm the this, I'm the that. No, like, I'm just. I'm just a child of God trying to live his dream. Like, I'm not, you know, because everybody, anybody could be a storyteller. If you give anybody a camera, lights, and even an unlimited budget, I'm pretty sure everybody to somebody would make a good movie. So I give everybody the benefit of the doubters being a creative, you know, so I don't look at nobody. Like, all they like that. Like, they're more talented. No, everybody got a story they could tell if they had the resources to.
[00:14:00] Speaker D: Yeah, man.
[00:14:02] Speaker B: So do you find it. This is kind of difficult just to actually find somebody or identify somebody that you can actually trust, because when you say gatekeepers. That's the first thing I thought about was like, man, you got so many people just trying to protect those or, or limit the, the people who are actually striving or trying to get somewhere and they're trying to, you know, just block them from, you know, whether it's making contact with somebody or not allowing them to share their, their ideas or dreams. I mean, it's.
[00:14:35] Speaker D: That's a cold feeling.
[00:14:37] Speaker E: Well, it is, because, like, if you think about it, you know, what a lot of people don't look at is that mostly all industries have people that kind of govern it. What do we like about, like, I'm in the funeral business. I mean, they got, they got the, you know, the NFDA, you know, they got the NASA funeral Directors association. They got the government that regulation.
They got certain things like certain procedures. You got to have to have a license. I mean, I feel like every industry, like, has some type of thing. They make you kind of jump through hoops to get into. So that's, that's just America for, you know what I'm saying. But, I mean, in the, in the film industry, what a lot of people don't realize is that most of the people starting out, they were independent, you know, back when it, when it first came about. But then, you know, after they started building these studios, you know, then they eventually all connected and all this stuff and got unionized and all that. So there's a lot of more history behind that. But make a long story short, I just feel like, you know, I think that it's kind of bad to me because, like, you know, there are people like this really trying and people that would love to. That's why, like, a lot of time when entertainers be like, you know, I'm getting 75 million or I'm getting this or that, I kind of look at myself like I don't look at nobody else because I don't know their budget, I don't know their entourage and all this stuff. But to me, I don't necessarily. I think, I don't know. I feel like sometimes, you know, a lot of people feel like you have to live this really big, lavish lifestyle because we, we kind of created that. I call it like a negative narrative. And what I mean by negative narrative is that a lot of time people feel like, you know, you gotta have all this and that to show off what. You gotta have all this luxury stuff to be happy. But to me, money is just a tool. And I feel that, like, if people really used it and you know, took care of their families and did what they need. And then maybe by the grace of God, you got a little bit to help somebody if you want to. I think a lot of people could be more effective. But of course, we live in this world where people greedy and all that stuff. So that's. I, like, you know, me personally, like, I know that I don't. I know that I don't need a whole. Oh, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not saying. I mean, I'm saying I want what I work for my work. But I think they're like, you know, I think that industry has a lot of greed. No doubt, you know?
[00:17:02] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:17:02] Speaker E: I'm not saying that the people don't deserve, you know, what they get. But when people just, like, even with the whole, you know, the writers strike and all that stuff, and even with the actors, you know, in the SAG and all this MacBook pro. Yeah, it all. That was crazy, cuz, like, you think about it, like, you know, these big studios, they have connections and they have the money, but, like, now they want to just, you know, get. Knock people out, you know, knock the writer AI. Like, come on, man. Like, you know, nothing, nothing wrong with artificial intelligence. But it's like, you know, when you start trying to knock people out and things like that, to me, that's. That ain't trying to make the world a better place. That's. To me, that's. That's a form of greed in a way. Because what's gonna end up happening at some point is with technology, right. Technology could be used for good. But what I feel is gonna happen eventually, you know, one. One business is probably gonna knock everybody else out. Cause they're not gonna be able to have the money to keep up with this stuff, you know?
[00:18:01] Speaker D: Right.
[00:18:02] Speaker E: I know what they doing. So I don't. I don't think it's out of the kindness of the heart. So, like, I feel like that's why I would urge all the creative people like that just to start getting their own resources and stuff, you know, because that's the way that it looked. Like the fact that their strike lasted so long.
I don't know, that may some people, and I feel bad because I know, like, some people, like, just get a regular job, whatever. But what I tell people is this. Everything is a pretty much a business.
People don't work for free. And so Hollywood, I don't, I don't. I don't look at the film industry as I. That's the hobby. I mean, it's an actual business where people actually make a living. You know, I mean, there's people, they may have more money they might be in front of, but then that's not always true either, because, you know, you see some of these people on tv, like, hey, sometimes you may be doing better than someone finance, you know, everything what it looked like. Because even with getting into professional wrestling, like, I learned a lot even from going into that world, because, like, I'm looking at it, but when I stepped into it, I'm like, wow, I'm seeing talent, people that I used to watch on tv. Like, I was blessed to meet a lot of people and see, like, some of the up and coming wrestlers at the same time. If you look at it like, you know, they still work, and some of them are still working regular job. Some of them are not even getting paid. Some of them may be appearing on tv, not even getting paid. So it's like, everything just not what it looked like sometimes.
[00:19:27] Speaker D: Right? Yeah.
[00:19:29] Speaker E: I wasn't about to be one of them. That one, getting paid. That's why I'm like, you know, hey, look, like.
Like, I know I've already experienced that this is. Now, this can be a hobby for me.
[00:19:39] Speaker D: Right?
[00:19:40] Speaker E: You know, I'm not going.
[00:19:44] Speaker D: Paid.
Ifi.
[00:19:48] Speaker B: Yeah. How you pronounce your last name?
[00:19:51] Speaker F: Omene.
[00:19:52] Speaker D: Omene. Ifi.
[00:19:54] Speaker B: Omene.
Now what?
[00:19:57] Speaker D: Let me guess.
[00:19:58] Speaker B: Let me guess your name.
[00:20:01] Speaker D: Let's say in there.
I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with. I'm gonna go with. I'm gonna go with Ghana.
[00:20:10] Speaker F: No, you were close. Nigerian.
[00:20:13] Speaker D: Niger.
[00:20:14] Speaker B: I was gonna say it, but it's like, everybody. I mean, this from Nigeria.
[00:20:17] Speaker D: I was like, let me step out the box.
[00:20:19] Speaker F: Yeah.
Your best bet was to say Nigerian.
[00:20:22] Speaker D: Yeah.
Yeah.
[00:20:25] Speaker E: But if you've been working. If you've been working with me since the beginning. We went to film school together. He does most of the editing for me.
[00:20:32] Speaker D: Oh, really?
So, if you.
[00:20:35] Speaker B: What made you get into film?
[00:20:37] Speaker F: Um, I mean, I guess what really, really got me into film was, you know, before going to film school, I just started making my own YouTube videos. Yeah, yeah. But this is, like, when I dropped out of college, so I just know being a youtuber was the way to go because all my peers were doing it. But obviously, my parents, you know, being Nigerians, they wanted me to be, like, a doctor or engineer. They didn't want me just sitting at home making videos all day and not making any money. So he said, if you're gonna be making videos, you might as well go to school where, you know, editing videos, you know, get you money. So my dad recommended me. Quinn Chicago. You know, that's where I met Wade, you know, when. Show me Wade, my work. You know, he put me on to the projects that he was doing, and I've been editing for him ever since.
[00:21:29] Speaker D: Wow.
[00:21:30] Speaker B: Now, what school. What school were you attending that you end up dropping out?
[00:21:35] Speaker F: Eyc.
[00:21:36] Speaker D: Uic?
[00:21:37] Speaker F: Yeah.
[00:21:37] Speaker B: Cause I think, man.
[00:21:40] Speaker E: I think, man.
[00:21:41] Speaker B: There'S so many people, including myself, man, who started.
[00:21:44] Speaker D: So I was one of the ones.
[00:21:45] Speaker B: Where I started college, and I was like, I'm going. Because my parents wanted me to go. It wasn't something that I was passionate about at the time because I really didn't know which direction I was going in. So I ended up wasting just a lot of time and money, man. And so it wasn't until I, like, identified, I was like, okay, now it's time to go. Now it's. Yeah, it's go time. And then I just thought the whole mindset just kind of shifted.
[00:22:08] Speaker D: Yeah. Yeah, that was.
[00:22:10] Speaker F: I mean, that was kind of me. I thought I knew what I wanted to do when I got into college, but then when I saw the work involved, I'm like, yeah, this isn't really for real. So I don't know.
I don't know if this is really for me. So I just dropped out last minute and decided to do what I really wanted to do in the first place.
[00:22:29] Speaker D: Got it.
[00:22:31] Speaker E: Ain't nothing wrong with that. Like, everybody, I feel like, you know, a lot of times, like, I think that's what I feel like our culture should change from, like, you know, I feel that everybody got a right to pursue their dream. And to be honest with you, you can make it in any industry. You just have to find a way to make it marketable, because everything, you know, because something that people do for free, some people getting paid to do it, I mean, it is, but you just have to know how to position yourself in the right way. And I learned it. Like, to me, like, that's why I said, I don't want nobody to hand me anything. Like, I'm willing to. Like, long as it's in the right way, I'm willing to, you know, found my own path. Because, like, even. Even that's why, like, I think the financial literacy is important, too, because a lot of times, if you put your money, use your money the right way, a lot of things you can. You can do yourself.
[00:23:23] Speaker D: You can. Yeah.
[00:23:25] Speaker E: Trust me. Because it's a. It feel a bit different. Like, like, I look at Tyler Perry. Like, if you look at history, I like that he, like, he worked different jobs and all that, but he used his own money. And even he got to the point where, like, he was selling so many, like, videos, vhs. Like, they like, uh oh, who is this guy? Like, he come up through the way we get. He, he come in the way we were looking for. But hey, but people was buying this stuff. So, like, you know, they just like, hey, you know, we give him a chance.
[00:23:54] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:23:55] Speaker E: So, I mean, it's like, to me, I'm all about, like, forge your own. But that's, that's why, like, I find if you story unique too, because, like, you know, I kind of find that, like, Walt Disney story. Like, if you look up his story. Walt Disney was born in Chicago, but he, but he spent most of his life in Missouri. And after he went to the military, I think his family had moved back to Chicago. And I think his dad, like, had, like, this factory job waiting on him. But he like, no, I'm going back to, he went back to Missouri and worked as a commercial artist. And then eventually him and his brother turned up. But this what people don't, a lot of people miss. His brother was a banker then when his other brother was a life insurance age. Oh. Like, if you put the two together, a life insurance, they know, they know a them age, they can hook you up with like, know how to use your money there. Being a banker, he know how to get money. So, hey, that's, you got the studio right there. Walt Disney, the creative man, they took, they took off from there. So, like, I feel like, team up with the right people.
[00:24:53] Speaker D: Right?
[00:24:54] Speaker E: A lot of stuff. You sure you ain't gotta go, you ain't gotta go to the, to the higher low ups or whatever? Like, you know, find you somebody with financial literacy and find out how to start your own business, find out how to make it work, you know. So once you get that mindset, you look at everything a lot differently.
[00:25:12] Speaker D: That's right. Huh, man.
[00:25:14] Speaker B: So if you, so what are some of your aspirations, man?
[00:25:18] Speaker F: Um, well, obviously I want to get back into content creation because it's been stuff, you know, uploaded on YouTube. But apart from content creation, I also want to, like, you know, take the next step into filmmaking. Not just with, like, video editing, but I really want to dabble into, like, cinematography because, you know, I'm kind of fascinated by, you know, like, you know, shooting film as well.
[00:25:42] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:25:42] Speaker F: You know, I don't know. Maybe it's because I kind of want to, you know, make my own story. So, you know, apart from, like, cinematography, you know, screenwriting, writing my own, writing my own movies or tv shows, you know, work with people like Quentin Tarantino or, like, Dick Wolf, you know, and also, you know, get into things of, like, you know, like photography. And, you know, back then as a kid, I used to draw a lot, so, you know, probably want to get into that or, like, animation. I just have a lot of things, but, like, content creation and, like, filmmaking are like, the big two things that I really want to take to the next level.
[00:26:21] Speaker D: That's good.
[00:26:23] Speaker B: And I think the first thing, man, is just believing that you could do it, right?
[00:26:27] Speaker D: Yes. Yeah. Uh huh.
[00:26:30] Speaker B: Because it was, it's funny, man, that you said that, because as you're talking, the first thing I remember, I just, that came to my mind was I was listening to the audio power of the subconscious mind, and he was just talking about that word belief. And once you actually believe something, you're accepting it to be real.
And once you do that, then, I mean, you start taking action towards that, right. Because you want, because you already know that it's going to manifest the time. The thing is, you don't know what time or when.
It's just a process, but it's going to happen. It's inevitable.
[00:27:04] Speaker D: Right.
[00:27:05] Speaker B: And so, yeah, it's almost like faith also, man, just taking action.
[00:27:12] Speaker D: I feel like this. Go ahead.
[00:27:14] Speaker E: No, you go ahead. You go ahead.
[00:27:16] Speaker B: I was gonna say, it just seemed like there's so many options, like, or opportunities in the film industry.
People just, I mean, I don't think that many people are actually aware of what you can actually do.
[00:27:29] Speaker E: Yeah, yeah, I agree. Because I know, like, for me, um, and I'm happy to share this now. I'm, you know, I thank God for being from Chicago and stuff like that. But what I've noticed is that there are some people that's less than enough to make it where they're from. But what I've noticed, there's a lot of more people that had to leave and go somewhere else. And the funny thing about it is, like, I had tried to get in with the Chicago film office for a long time. These people ain't never get back with me. You know, they get back to me say, well, we ain't nothing we can do for. So, you know, my wife is from Missouri, so right now I'm living in Chicago and part time in Missouri. Now, the people in Missouri, they, they like, well, hey, we, we gonna. We're gonna see what we can do. For you, I'm like, come on, man.
Can't get no love, you know? You see what I mean? Yeah, but, but I, but I appreciate, you know, the film office down in Missouri for, you know, at least trying to make room for me. So I keep y'all updated on that.
[00:28:30] Speaker D: That's right.
[00:28:33] Speaker E: Well, yeah, sometimes you can't, you can't be afraid to move around either, because, like, you know, like I said, time, it don't wait. It don't. It don't wait on nobody even, even a hand on the clock move. You know what I'm saying? Like, right. You know, you gotta, if you really want something bad enough, sometimes you gotta, you know, try moving around, moving around a little bit. I mean, even, even watching nature's right, when the line, when they hung and they don't stay in one spot, they don't, wherever the food is they going for, they go, you know, so I'm just, I kind of adapt their mentality. Like, you know, as long as it's genuine and pure, you know, I'm not going to turn. See, one thing about me, they tell you when I worked at the funeral home, I don't turn. I don't turn too much. Anything that. If it's good. Yeah, you know, long as it's good, I got you.
[00:29:22] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:29:22] Speaker E: You know, I mean, because I feel like, you know, it's just not good to take time for granted. So if I get the opportunity I take.
[00:29:30] Speaker D: That's right.
Yeah.
[00:29:33] Speaker B: What's your take on time?
[00:29:35] Speaker F: I mean, I actually agree. Like, I know, like, as much as I love living in Chicago, I know, like, eventually, you know, there will be a time where if I want to take, you know, my goals and aspirations to the next level, I might have to go, you know, where those opportunity lies. You know, it's like New York City, Los Angeles, even though I hate Los Angeles, but, you know, I might have to go there to, you know, like, you know, network and connect with people, like minded individuals and, you know, see where it can go. And obviously time waste for no one. I mean, I think I forgot who said this, or I do remember who said it, but I forgot his name, but he said this and I don't know if I'm going to butcher it, but basically saying that, you know, time is always moving. So if you're not progressing by default, you're regressing, because if you're standing still and then time keeps moving, you're not doing anything. Other people already doing things while the time is going on, and you are right where you are. So I don't want to, like, take anything for granted. I don't want to waste any time, time that could be spent doing something productive, furthering my goals. I don't want to waste that time. So I want to take advantage of every opportunity that I can get.
[00:30:48] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:30:49] Speaker B: So just with that, would you. With you saying that, what are some of the. What are some of the ways that you actually focus and manage your time?
[00:30:58] Speaker F: So before I had a very terrible time, like, you know, with time management, I always used to procrastinate. You know, obviously, I had, like, online mentors, you know, tell me, like, how to manage my time. Something as simple as, like, you know, putting reminders on Google calendar to, you know, being a little bit more disciplined in, like, other aspects of your life. So, you know, before I used to be, like, super overweight, and, you know, now that I have, like, a gym regimen, so, like, I lost a lot of weight since then, you know, the. Me going into the gym, like, four or five times a week has actually disciplined me, not just in the gym, but other aspects of my life. Because once you're disciplined and, like, taking care of your body, you're gonna be. It's going to permeate into other aspects of your life where you're disciplining your time. And, you know, obviously, like, the opportunities that Wade has thrown my way has also, you know, helped a lot with managing, you know, my regular job with, you know, with Wade and other opportunities that Wade has thrown my way. So I've been able to, you know, manage my time really wisely. I've been able to be a lot more disciplined in my work ethic. And honestly, I can say that, you know, that strategy that I've implemented has really helped me a lot.
[00:32:25] Speaker B: That's good, man, because you got so many people who just straight up procrastinate, or they just kind of go off of. Off the memory. They don't write anything down, and so there's nothing really to follow.
[00:32:39] Speaker D: And as you were talking, man, just.
[00:32:41] Speaker B: It made me think about how I had a snooze button on my phone, man. I had to take the snooze button off, man.
[00:32:46] Speaker D: It was like, there's no more snooze, right? And now I kind of had, like, that mentality, like the alarm clock.
[00:32:54] Speaker B: When that puppy goes off, it's like, it's setting me free to actually go out and take care of the things I need to.
And so, man, the snooze button.
[00:33:05] Speaker D: The snooze button is off.
[00:33:08] Speaker B: Yeah, because I just used. I usually hit that mug, and I just. I just. Especially when I got time to sleep, I'm like, but that's when I really wasn't focused or really not, you know, working on anything I didn't have, like, that something that I was pursuing that was.
[00:33:22] Speaker A: That was passionate, that I was passionate about. So.
[00:33:26] Speaker B: Yeah, makes a difference.
[00:33:27] Speaker F: I might have to implement that strategy. Take this news button off so I don't use no more time.
[00:33:32] Speaker E: Yeah, man. You know, time is important. And, you know, you'll be surprised when you take the first step. You'll be surprised with that. That's why, like I said, even when I was starting training for pro wrestling, like I said, I walked into an opportunity and I started meeting some really interesting people, and I'm like, I didn't know it was that easy, you know, night, you know? But I mean, it was fun, you know? But I. But I mean, again, if you. If you take a chance, you will learn if it's for you or if it is, you know, you never know if you don't try, you know, sometimes you may. You may get the opportunity and you'd be like, well, you know what? It was nice trying it out, but I don't think. I ain't gonna fool with this.
[00:34:16] Speaker D: Now, if you.
[00:34:17] Speaker B: I know you said you're from Nigeria. Now, were you born and raised there, or were you born and raised here?
[00:34:23] Speaker F: Born and raised in Chicago.
[00:34:25] Speaker D: My family got it. Okay.
[00:34:29] Speaker B: Now, how often do you get back?
[00:34:31] Speaker F: Uh, to be honest, I only went there one time, and now ants wedding one time. But other than that, I haven't been back since. But I always wanted to go back. Yeah, but I mean, to be honest, a lot of my relatives that kind of moved out of Nigeria neither stayed here in the US or they live in, like, you know, England. So.
[00:34:54] Speaker D: Okay.
[00:34:55] Speaker F: Unless I have, like, family members back in Nigeria, I don't know if I might go back. Yeah, you know, it depends if I have other relatives that I don't know.
[00:35:03] Speaker B: About now, would you ever or do you ever see yourself doing, like, some kind of documentary or something like that on your culture?
[00:35:12] Speaker F: You know, it was kind of interesting. I remember, I think it was like Thanksgiving Day, and, you know, obviously I was hanging out with family, my immediate family, and we were listening to a fella, Conti, I believe his name is. He's like a afro beats artist in the seventies. And I was listening to his music, and I was tapping my brother. I'm like, wow, this, like, obviously, I remember listening to him growing up. But I remember, you know, being like, what if I were to, like, make a film that takes place in, like, Nigeria in, like, the 19, similar to, like, blasploitation film takes place in Nigeria? Yeah, like, you know, the music that fella made can easily, like, you know, be like, a soundtrack to that exact same, like, setting. I don't know. It just came to me, like, I don't know, maybe, like, going to Nigeria, you know, finding nigerian actors making a tv show or a movie in Nigeria, because there's a lot of good, like, you know, up and coming actors in Nigeria. So, yeah, we want to, like, seize that opportunity and, like, you know, if I have time, definitely go out there and, you know, make something happen.
[00:36:25] Speaker A: Hey, thanks for tuning into that episode of why Niu? What a great segment so far. Hey, that was just part r1. Quick now, Wade and ifi, they've been working together since film school, and they've had some challenges also. So the question I have for you is, what are the advantages and challenges of maintaining long term professional collaborations like theirs? Just think about that for a sec.
You all have a blessed week. And remember, we cannot become what we need if we remain where we are. God bless.
[00:36:59] Speaker C: Thank you for listening to this episode of why not? You remember, have faith and believe in yourself. God does. Also subscribe to our, our channel and go to our website for more free content and life changing
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