THERE'S ALWAYS A 'YES' TO EVERY 'NO' - SIR CHRIS NZEKWE

THERE'S ALWAYS A 'YES' TO EVERY 'NO'
(My Experience)

This is to encourage writers and those who believe in their craft.

I wrote a script sometime ago and I pitched it up to a director, who after reading the logline and synopsis, was interested and invited me over for final price negotiation and delivery. And the only reason I left the comfort of my home to go see this director is simply because he sounded to me like it was a done deal.

The script is a low budget one that has very minimum characters and 2 locations. For me, it was a good story that has got a good set-up and plot, and a great dialogue. So you all needed to see the expression of my mind's face when he started giving me signs of disinterest after glancing through few pages of the script. I am damn ugly when I frown, so I put up my smiley face always. Anyway, it was there I found out he was acting as the middleman, contracted by a producer who wanted to do a film.

To cut the long story short, dude said he didn't like it.

"WHAAAT?!!!" (In my mind)

He sighted some harsh dialogues in one of the scenes.. but c'mon bloke, people use very harsh words in Nigeria when they are very upset, don't they? More so, when they don't even like you in the first instance. Trust me, they get a slight opportunity, and they pounce on you with the meanest of words ever. I mean, ever. Abi you are not in this Lagos ni? You do small thing, and the way they'll abuse you ehn, you'll start wondering "sho le to yen ni?" So, that's very relatable in this part of the world. But dude wasn't gon' hear any of that, so I kept my cool.

He said he wanted the script to contain some action too. And in my mind, "C'mon nigga, I made it clear the genre of this script is DRAMA and not action, so what's up with the action and blah blah blah" Anyway, just when I calmly tried to tell dude there's a bit of action here and there in the script, I noticed he was just not liking the script going by his facial utterances and gesticulations, so I kept my chill and didn't further to proceed with my conviction. Know when someone's mind is made up so you don't look stupidly desperate trying to prove your point.

He said some other kinda things, and there and then, I knew I had lost this one. I knew he was going to tell me stories, and I would regret ever leaving my house to come meet with him. So, it happened just like I had known. No hard feelings. We discussed few other things- the film industry and personal stuffs- and I left.

I felt sad. For me, it was a heartbreak. This was the first time ever someone wouldn't like a script I had written. It was as if I lost everything and the script was a total mess. You know how you walk into a party, all dressed up, feeling like Kim Kardashian, and someone from God-knows-where just comes and calls you Bobrisky. Kaaai!! The thing dey pain ehn. I felt really bitter. I got home, and took out time to read the script over and over and again. I gave my trusted script supervisor friend to help me go through it. She had read it before and felt it was unnecessary reading it again. She assured me I did a good job with the story and tried to encourage me, nyen yen yen.

Fastforward to a month later, I pitched up the script to another filmmaker who had buzzed me up for a script. He read the synopsis and we got talking. He requested I send him the first 10pages which I obliged him. He loved it. We negotiated the price, and after reaching a consensus, it was a done deal.

They shot the film. It was a huge success, filming. And according to him, during one of our chats, he said one of the lead characters - a famous Nigerian actor- was amazed at the dialogue that he had to ask him if the writer was 'high' when he was actually writing the lines. And we both laughed. Glad news for me came when he said they all loved the script. Everyone of them. I got back my pride. I got back my groove.

Good to announce to you that the film is at its marketing stage at the moment, and when it's out, I'll sure let you all know.

I really don't know who needs this right now, but my point is, there's always someone who would say yes to that idea you have, to which others had said no. There's always someone who would believe in your craft, no matter how many others have turned it down. There's always someone who is willing to trust your work, to which others have dismissed as a total flop. There's always someone who is ready to accept what others have rejected, and this is simply because they see in it what the others couldn't see.

Do not fear rejection. It only comes, so you can apreciate acceptance.
Do not fear heartbreak. You'll never know the true essence of loving.

There's always someone who needs what you have that others don't want. And I sincerely pray that your paths meet, and your contacts bring about a truly and mutual benefiting relationship.

Go. Conquer. Rule your world.


                                                                    BY SIR CHRIS NZEKWE
                                                                    (WRITER,ACTOR,STORY TELLER)