YouTube Was Never Built For Films” — Filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola Sparks Debate

According to Ireporter Online, Nigerian actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has shed light on the rising challenges and financial demands of film production in Nigeria, stressing that the industry is far more expensive than many people assume.

Speaking in an interview with Jay-on-air, Ogunmola stated that YouTube was never originally designed for films, adding that producing content for the platform still requires substantial investment despite its digital nature. She noted that even productions considered low-budget often come with heavy costs due to logistics, talent fees, and post-production needs.

She revealed that some actors now charge as high as N5 million for a five-day appearance on set, while others demand between N1 million and N2 million, highlighting the increasing cost of securing top talent in the industry. According to her, these figures reflect the true economic weight behind filmmaking, even for content distributed on YouTube.

Ogunmola further emphasised that film production is a highly capital-intensive art form, explaining that even poorly rated films on YouTube still require significant funding. She stressed that producers are often judged unfairly by audiences who do not understand the financial and creative effort involved.

The filmmaker also outlined the importance of thorough pre-production planning, stating that successful filmmaking depends on securing the right cast, suitable locations, a competent production crew, and a reliable post-production team. She, however, noted that despite careful planning, unforeseen challenges can still disrupt the production process.