Seven Doors, the Netflix mini-series, is a visual triumph, thanks to the masterful mise-en-scène crafted by art director Olatunji Afolayan. His meticulous attention to detail, from vintage props to authentic architectural designs, transports viewers to another era

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a film student, my evaluation of Seven Doors, the Netflix mini-series produced and directed by Femi Adebayo and others, may differ from the general audience’s.

Also read: Aliu Gafar delivers stellar performance as Esusu in Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors

While the audience is integral to the film’s meaning, my academic perspective allows me to appreciate the cinematic craftsmanship that underlies the narrative.

Unarguably, in the same way that auteur theory highlights the director’s creative vision and Schreiber theory emphasises the screenwriter’s role, mise-en-scène theory underscores the art director/production designer’s contributions to the film’s visual language.

The art director/production designer plays a crucial role in creating the mise-en-scène, encompassing settings and props, costumes, facial and body expressions, lighting and colour, and character positioning within the frame.

Therefore, the art director of Seven Doors, Olatunji Afolayan deserves a special recognition for designing visual elements that evoke nostalgia and cultural memory.

That you may know, the vintage chinawares and floral metal bowls in Seven Doors are props and carefully designed elements that contribute to the film’s visual composition and spatial relationships.

Olatunji Afolayan

The mural and sculptural designs are creatively etched on the walls and plotted to depict the period piece seamlessly.

The choice of architectural designs (constructed or adapted) is a brainchild of the art director’s attention to detail when selecting these props, which helps create a sense of realism and authenticity.

An art director is said to be a “master of visual storytelling, a weaver of worlds, and a conductor of the cinematic orchestra.”

The look, feel, mood, and colour pallets that connect all the departments are designed by an expert—the art director.

Olatunji Afolayan’s technical depth and prowess are the apparent signature of Seven Doors. Without Afolayan’s ‘dirtied hands’, Seven Doors would remain bald and bland.

In conclusion, the art director/production designer is an essential member of the filmmaking team, and their contributions to the mise-en-scène deserve recognition.

Olatunji Afolayan’s work in Seven Doors is a testament to the importance of the art director/production designer in creating a visually stunning and engaging film.

Also read: Accolades pour in for Aliu Gafar’s role as Esusu in Seven Doors

Undoubtedly, Olatunji Afolayan is the god of mise en scene in Seven Doors.

Maxxuniversal, a leading Visual Effects (VFX) studio founded in Lagos, Nigeria, is making waves in the world of 3D animations, high-quality motion graphics, and special effects for movies and commercials. With a passion for excellence and a commitment to raising the bar in visual effects, Maxxuniversal is reshaping the landscape of the Nollywood industry.

In a recent interview, Derek, the visionary CEO and Lead VFX Supervisor/Compositor of Maxxuniversal, shed light on the company’s unique offerings and its significant contributions to the Nollywood industry. “At Maxxuniversal, we take pride in our reputation as a reliable and professional VFX studio, setting us apart from our competitors,” stated Derek.

When asked about the driving force behind becoming an entrepreneur, Derek affirmed, “It’s all about passion. We are fueled by the desire to bring Hollywood-standard movies and animation studios to Africa, setting new industry standards for visual effects.”

Derek emphasized Maxxuniversal’s collaborative efforts with larger studios and its substantial contributions to the Nollywood industry. “We have partnered with renowned studios and played a pivotal role as a VFX studio, making significant contributions to the Nollywood industry,” highlighted Derek.

Regarding the company’s unique standing in the market, Derek confidently asserted, “We stand at 5 out of 10 in terms of reliability and professionalism. Our portfolio speaks volumes about the quality of our work and our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch visual effects.”

When discussing inspiration and creative processes, Derek shared, “Our inspiration lies in bringing Hollywood-standard movies and animation studios to Africa. We envision a future where Maxxuniversal is synonymous with excellence in visual effects, setting new industry standards.”

Maxxuniversal has cultivated partnerships with renowned studios such as Greoh Studios and FilmTrybe, contributing to the visual effects of notable projects like “Gang of Lagos,” “Brotherhood,” “Ponzi,” “Dwindle,” and “Soole.” The studio’s collaboration on prominent TV commercials further solidifies its impact on the industry.

Maxxuniversal continues to push boundaries and expand the horizons of visual effects in the Nollywood industry. With a focus on reliability, professionalism, and Hollywood-standard visual effects, the studio is poised to take the industry by storm and establish new benchmarks for excellence.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr. Anayo Uzuegbu, has assured the Nollywood industry of security in line with Dr. Peter Mbah administration’s determination to make Enugu the premier destination for business, investment, tourism, and living.

The CP gave the assurance when Nollywood producers led by the Chairman of the Enugu State Tourism Board paid him a courtesy visit in the course of their tour of film-shooting facilities and locations in the state.

“I can assure you that the security concerns have been seriously dealt with due to the support given to the State Police Command and other security agencies by the current administration to rid Enugu State of criminal elements. That is the crackdown on crime and criminality you must have been reading in the papers.

“I was also opportune to launch the pilot scheme of the Distress Response Squad last August. The full complements of the DRS, which is being set up by the governor, will comprise well over hundred hi-tech patrol vehicles with security surveillance cameras capable of facial and number plate recognition. From the Command and Control Centre, which the government has almost completed, we will monitor the entire state and be able to deploy security resourses to preempt and solve crimes with ease at the speed of light”, he stated.

Also speaking when he took the Nollywood producers and the State Tourism Board on a tour of the facilities of the Enugu State Television (ETV), including the studios, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, Mr. Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, assured of the readiness of the organisation to partner with the Nollywood through the provision of quality studios and sets for movie productions.

He said the Mbah administration was determined to turn around the facilities in line with the government’s policy to convert the state’s dormant assets to productive assets.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the State Tourism Board, Dame Rita Mbah, said the tour, which took the Nollywood producers to other locations like the Nike Lake Resort, Ezeagu cave, waterfall and lake, Enugu Unity Park, and the historic state secretariat complex, among others, was part of the build-up to not only restore the state’s position as the home of Nollywood, but also the Nigerian creative industry in line with Governor Mbah’s $30 billion economy target.

“We all know the worth of the Nollywood and the potential of the creative industry, which is one of the key sectors to drive this expected $30 billion growth target

“If you check the governor’s manifesto, he has plans to build the Enugu Films and Movies Academy for training and upskilling our people in various aspects of the film industry. He plans to build the Enugu Film City that will compete with the best in the world. That is how serious he is about this aspect of the creative industry.

“For a start, we want to ensure that Nollywood returns to their home, Enugu State; and they have seen our facilities and locations. They have seen government policies and programmes and what the governor is doing with infrastructure, security, and other enablers. They are highly impressed and encouraged”, she stated.