Rise of the ‘filmmopreneur’
Are you a filmmaker or filmmoprenuer?
If you are reading this, chances are you are either of the two.
But is there a difference in both, or is this wordplay?
A silent revolution is on in the film industry, and everything is changing from production to distribution and even audience behavior.
The metrics for success in the business are evolving.
So, as a filmmaker, where do you stand in the scheme of things?
Are you entrenched in the old ways of the business? Or are you poised to embrace new trends and processes?
In this piece, we look at the changing dynamics in the film space and why the “filmmoprenuer” is the star of tomorrow.
The filmmaker of the old
In the early days of Nollywood, the job description of a filmmaker was clear-cut.
Make the film and hand over the master tape to the Executive Producer or “Marketer” as he was known.
The Executive Producer or “Marketer” was often the financier of the movie. And once he had the master tape, his job was to “sell” and achieve a return investment.
The “Marketer” would create the artwork, finance the trailer, and book TV spots to promote the movie. He was responsible for all things marketing and distribution.
If the film flopped, it was his cup of tea. And if he scored the bullseye, he could go ahead and celebrate. While rolling out more titles from his production mill!
The filmmaker, however, was a creative artist whose main concern was crafting a compelling narrative.
He was fixated with concept development, planning, production, and post-production.
Distribution or sales were not his prerogative. His number one task was to create a movie audiences would love.
The money-making strategy for the project was in the hands of other people.
That is the persona of the traditional filmmaker.
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But a new tide is rising.
The film industry is changing. Consumer behavior and expectations continue to evolve.
While technology has democratized the process of filmmaking and distribution, offering filmmakers a plethora of quality gear to actualize their visions, the business has gotten more competitive.
It has become Intricate, interwoven, and less predictable.
Despite the growing complexities of the film space, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging. Determined to conquer the waves and rise above the tide.
They call them the “filmmoprenuer.”
Who is a ‘Filmmopreneur’?
A ‘Filmmopreneur’ is an individual who combines the creative artistry of filmmaking with entrepreneurial acumen to transform their projects into profitable ventures.
Unlike traditional filmmakers who focus primarily on the artistic aspects, Filmmopreneurs strategically plan, market, and distribute their films to maximize revenue and audience reach.
The filmmoprenuer is both a creative and entrepreneur who leverages his business skills to market and distribute his innovative products.
He is both an artist and a businessman whose goal is to ensure the financial success of his film projects.
He does that by leveraging his knowledge of business development, sales, marketing, advertising, and public relations to sell his products to the target audience.
Unlike the traditional filmmaker, who is more concerned about the creative aspects of filmmaking, the filmmopreneur focuses on the business and artistic aspects.
He looks beyond his creativity, paying equal attention to the business and technical aspects of the projects.
The Traditional Filmmaker vs. the Filmmopreneur
Traditional filmmakers often prioritize storytelling, cinematography, and directing, leaving business considerations to producers or distributors.
In contrast, Filmmopreneurs take a holistic approach, overseeing creative and business facets.
They proactively engage in marketing strategies, audience building, and revenue generation. Ensuring that the films resonate artistically with the audience.
Attributes of the Filmmopreneur
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Viewing filmmaking as an art and a business, focusing on profitability and sustainability.
- Audience Engagement: Building and nurturing a dedicated audience base through social media, email marketing, and community events.
- Diversified Revenue Streams: Creating multiple income avenues such as merchandise, workshops, or exclusive content.
- Innovative Marketing: Utilizing unconventional marketing tactics to generate buzz and attract viewers.
How does the Filmmopreneur work?
The filmmopreneur begins his quest for success in the pre-production phase. Examining the financial viability of the story even before its creative exploration.
He leads in marketing, promotions, distribution, and storytelling.
The filmmopreneur does not wait for the audience to find him or discover his film by chance. He makes it his duty to cultivate an audience, nurture them, and carry them along.
The filmmopreneur stands on the shoulders of giants from Nigerian music. There is a rich template of proven marketing strategies from the golden era of the Nigerian music industry (running through the late sixties to the early 2000s). But more about that later.
He begins this process right from the pre-production phase.
He may do this by creating a website as a marketing hub for all things related to the film project.
Spreading his tentacles to social media by opening accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and sometimes YouTube.
These platforms serve as channels of communication with existing fans and prospective audiences.
The filmmopreneur, like a product manufacturer, does his due diligence.
He works out his marketing and distribution strategies even before casting is complete.
Creating an audience for the film ahead of production or nurturing an audience if one exists.
He takes his target audience along in the audition and casting phases.
He documents the film production process every step of the way.
The production process is well documented, with behind-the-scenes content showcasing the production process and taking the fans behind the scenes.
Because even that content offers a revenue potential.
While the goal may be to generate a buzz, even that content offers a revenue potential.
For the filmmopreneur, every cast, crew, and fan is a part of the marketing team.
They all leverage their social media accounts to share updates about their film, spreading the word and giving it oxygen in the stuffy-crowded film space.
He leverages the cast and crew to create awareness about the film on social media and gain advertising mileage for his product.
The filmmopreneur is a lighthouse on the hilltop of the modern-day filmmaking economy.
He creates stories to win hearts and minds but is determined to thrive in the market.
The old film economy and distribution modalities are fast eroding courtesy of technology and consumer behavior.
Now, it seems the only way to survive the new film economy is by becoming a filmmopreneur.
Strategies Employed by Filmmorepreneurs
As a filmmaker in 2025, how do you plan to stay in business and make more films?
Below are some of the strategies employed by filmmopreneurs.
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales: Selling films directly through personal websites or platforms, retaining greater control and profits.
- Crowdfunding Campaigns: Engaging audiences early through platforms like Kickstarter, securing funding, and building anticipation.
- Niche Targeting: Focusing on specific audience segments can lead to more effective marketing.
Steps to Becoming a Successful Filmmopreneur
Embracing the Filmmorepreneur model empowers filmmakers to take control of their careers, ensuring their creative endeavors are artistically fulfilling and financially viable.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
As they say, there is nothing new under the sun.
What can we learn from the golden era of the Nigerian traditional music industry?
The highlife, juju, Fuji, and other indigenous musicians of the late sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, and two-thousand had figured out how to build a community of fans and audience to sell to.
They found and nurtured fans who were invested in their music and willing to support their career and other side projects.
These musicians were members of prominent social and cultural groups of the day.
Social Clubs or groups with top socialites and star figures of the day.
The People’s Club of Nigeria had adopted great artists like Oliver De Coque as their unofficial music ambassadors.
For these artists, the commercial success of a new album was not dependent on public sales figures.
All that was required was the buy-in of their top-notch, rich, and influential fan base.
This artist had a winning formula, which may be classified as follows:
Build a community of fans, nurture the relationship, and foster trust. Then, sell your product.
As filmmakers, this means cultivating a community of fans who appreciate your work. Nurture the fan base and carry them along on your filmmaking journey.
Conclusion
Before we go, here is a question. Who is your favorite filmmopreneur in Nigeria?
Is it Funke Akindele who takes charge of her film projects from the early days of pre-production to distribution?
Many Nollywood filmmakers have embraced the concept of ” consciously or otherwise.
Let us know your favorite filmmopreneur in the comment section.
Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of the Wakacast Newsletter.
Your support helps us grow and address vital issues affecting filmmakers.
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Happy filmmaking.
