Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatrice Funke Ogunmola.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am known and referred to as BFO, (an abbreviation of my full name, Beatrice Funke Ogunmola). I have always been a storyteller. I remembered growing up with my siblings decades ago in Nigeria. Our family is a middle-class family living in the town of our birth, Itaogbolu, Ondo State, Nigeria. We had no access to the various TV channels as those living in big cities at that time. Even when cable TV arrived in Nigeria, our parents could not afford it. So my siblings and I were stuck with the only two TV stations that broadcast in Itaogbolu; OSRC (Ondo State Radiovision Corporation), the only State-owned TV station, and NTA (Nigeria Television Authority), the Federal-owned TV station. These two TV stations didn’t run 24/7; they would start broadcasting around 4:30 pm till 10 pm. On some weekends or holiday season, either or both of the channels would run an extended program till about midnight to show a movie which would usually start showing at 10 pm or 10:30 pm. All my siblings would plan to stay up so we could watch the movie together, but then I would be the only one not sleeping when the movie started showing. The next morning, they would all have me narrate to them the story in the movie they missed. As if I were the creator of the movie, I would do it so well, making them feel like they saw the movie.
Occasionally, I would also sleep off before the movie started showing, but being a storyteller, I would tell my siblings a very beautiful story with a captivating title, when they gathered around me the next morning. They never believed me for once when I finally revealed to them that I fabricated the story because I also slept off as they did. They would ask me questions like, “where did you get such a beautiful title from?” Why is the story so well connected?” Why didn’t you pause to think of the next scene?” And they would continue with all the whys. Growing up, I was always in the drama group in churches and schools, acting and making up stories to be acted. Nigerian parents have this erroneous impression about actresses not having settled marriages and as such would not allow their daughter to become one. I grew up in the era when parents had the final say in their children’s choice of carrier; so even though I so much love storytelling and acting, I never had enough courage to tell my parents that I truly loved to study Theatre Arts because I knew what their response would have been. So I ended up studying Food Technology.
After obtaining my first degree in Nigeria, I got married and relocated to the US with my husband. Getting here, I did not have enough funding to study Theatre Arts, and I was not qualified for any financial aid, so I studied at a community college and became a Registered Nurse (RN) in the US. I really do love my RN career, but then, there was this burning passion and yearning that was yet to be consummated, I am a natural, gifted, and passionate Storyteller and an Actress! I didn’t give up, so I continued to be an active participant in my Church Drama Group. I was in charge of preparing the children ministry for their drama presentations in the Church. I author their scripts and direct their stage plays. I am driven by excellence and the mind for success; this reflects in all I do.
I took a giant leap in 2010; I wrote a very beautiful feature-length movie which the drama group of my church produced, and I played the female lead role in it. Something in me continues to yearn for more, and I just can’t stop myself. I love excellence, so in my bid to make the children presentation better each time, I started shooting their annual children week’s presentation, so we started making “all children cast” short movies. The children ministry has since then produced several short movies. I attended filmmakers’ conferences and guilds to perfect my art. I downloaded screenwriting apps, editing apps, and did just about anything that will make a better me. I volunteered on film sets and worked alongside great directors and producers. Today, I have five feature-length movies and several short films to my credit. I have received multiple recognitions and awards for impact making initiatives and accomplishments, and yet, I haven’t even started. Hope studio is still very much evolving, and the girl, BFO is in the making.
Has it been a smooth road?
Finances have always been a major challenge. We need a lot of resources to make good movies. We need quality partnerships, sponsorships, and every enabling opportunity. Family is another challenge; working on film projects alongside raising three children is very demanding. I don’t want my children to grow without the much needed motherly support; so I set priorities, work hard, and avoid time wasters like a plaque.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Hope Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
Hope Studio is a Film Production Company. According to our vision statement that says, “Impacting Generations,” we leverage the limitless opportunities inherent in the media to impact the World. We make feature-length films and short films. I run “The Impact Corner Talk Show” series where we unravel mysteries of life by discussing several impacting topics. I speak in events and conferences, mostly to motivate people to their purpose. I also speak in marriage seminars and conferences too. We run filmmaking training and hands-on practical experience to aspiring artists. We also impact through charity giving.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The world is evolving, so is Hope studio. We are aware of the fact that movies that will engage the audience in this age must be of excellent quality in all ramifications; so we are taking up the challenge. We have a team that doesn’t relent in their effort to make changes and impact lives. The days of DVDs is gradually fading, so we are prepared for this shift. Each of our movies have online websites where people can rent or buy and download. We have had our movie premiered at the cinema in Nigeria and also in Houston, Texas. We are looking towards theatrical release of our movies in the future. We are currently working on a film project that is meant to make a huge landmark. The story is beautifully written and creatively told. It’s themed around the disabled children and adults roaming the street in African countries. It is capital intensive and physically tasking, but with God on our side, we are telling this story with the utmost passion and creativity. The future is bright, and we are doing it together.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My late dad, Ch. J. O. Tinubu, was my first role model, mentor, supporter, et al. He trained me never to give up when the going gets tough. He’ll always say an adage in our local dialect that literarily means “To be successful in life, you must always leave your achievements of yesterday in your past and focus on today’s task.” I always relate my late dad’s saying to this quote, “If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you, you haven’t done much today.”- Mikhail Gorbachev. My dad’s saying, and the above quotation has always helped me to stay humble and focused. I don’t let accolades for yesterday’s achievements get in my head, because I have so much to do today.
My husband and children have been a great support, and motivation to always do more. My husband is not afraid to let his wife shine; he is an icon himself. He runs around to support our movie locations however possible. My children are usually my first line of critics on my Screenplay and film rough cuts before utilizing professional critics.
My mom is a strong pillar to me, my family, and Hope Studio. She stays at home and takes care of my children affording me a lot of free time to put into productions. The first time I had to shoot a movie in Nigeria was in 2013, and my last child was only two years old then. My mom went with me and solely cared for him so that I could focus on the job.
Pastor Tunde Badru, my pastor, when I started walking in the line of my purpose and passion, he is the Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Kings Palace. It was the church that gave me the first opportunity to have my script produced and got me starred as the female lead in a feature-length movie. It’s the church where my passion was propelled into fruition.
All the casts and crew that have ever worked on my past projects deserve many accolades. We’ve had to use several volunteers and non-paid casts and crew members here in the USA. Also, we’ve had to pay a token to get a big job done both in USA and in Nigeria. I am humbled by the level of support I received from these people. To all my fans, I appreciate you. Thank you all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hopestudiofilms.com
- Phone: 8327166710
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopestudiofilms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopeStudio1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/beatriceogunmo1
- Yelp: timebombmovie.vhx.tv
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRLj9efkCFWG6Bc1OCtxcwg/videos?view_as=subscriber
For online streaming of our films, visit
Angels: www.angels.vhx.tv
Time Bomb www.timebombmovie.vhx.tv
Ageless World and others: www.agelessworld.vhx.
YouTube Channel: BFO TV
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
