Offshoot”: A cinematic tale of sacrifice, choice, consequences, and the family-duty struggle

The movie “Offshoot,” produced by Oluwatoyin Adewumi and Benjamin Abejide Adeniran, is a powerful story that explores the tough choices people face, and the consequences of those choices. The film also shows how people struggle to balance their family obligations, their duties, and the sacrifices they have to make.

In this interview, Oluwatoyin discussed the inspiration behind her film, which premieres in cinemas nationwide on June 14, 2024. She also detailed the challenges faced during production and the collaborative efforts that brought this compelling story to life.

Can you share the journey of “Offshoot” from concept to completion?

Offshoot’s journey from concept to completion was quite an adventure. It all started with various inspirations that led to the conceptualization of the film. I discussed the idea with our scriptwriters at Writer’s Ink Concept, and after several email exchanges and virtual meetings, they began working on the script. After 1 year and 2 months, we had the third version of the 2nd draft of the script ready for production.

Initially, I wanted an all-female crew and tried to find a female director. When that didn’t work out, I reached out to a Ugandan director whose work I admired, especially in action sequences.

Meanwhile, my co-producer, Benjamin Abejide Adeniran, who was initially unavailable, had a schedule change and joined the project.

Raising funds for the project was a challenge, but having sharpened my producing skills and gained more confidence from previous productions, it was somewhat easier this time.

Casting, crew recruitment, and location scouting progressed smoothly, and we completed the shoot as planned. Post-production had its challenges, but we overcame them. The film has since screened at AFRIFF 2023, been nominated for Best International Feature at the Uganda Film Festival 2024, and is set to hit the big screen on 14th June 2024.

Read also: Thrilling new film “Offshoot” to cinemas on 14th June

What inspired you to create “Offshoot,” and what message do you hope to convey through the film?

The ‘Offshoot’ movie speaks to choices and consequences, and it was inspired by a blend of happenings around.

What was it like working with Ugandan filmmaker Ayeny T. Steve as the director of “Offshoot”?

Working with Steve was seamless. We had tried collaborating twice before, but those projects didn’t happen. So, when “Offshoot” came up, it felt like the third time was the charm.

He brought a cinematographer and a first Assistant Director (AD) from Uganda, and they blended perfectly with our Nigerian team. On set, you couldn’t tell the Nigerians apart from the Ugandans.

Steve, an award-winning director, brought his expertise in action scenes and working with actors to Offshoot. His film “KONY: Order From Above” was Uganda’s entry for the 2020 Oscars. He would always check with me or Benjamin to ensure his ideas fit our cultural context. And speaking of culture, we introduced them to Nigeria’s peppers (spicy Nigerian dishes).

How did you decide on the cast for “Offshoot,” and what was it like working with them?

After I read the first draft of the script, I started creating a long list of potential actors for each character. If I saw an actor in a film or stumbled on a social media profile and thought the individual would fit a character in the story, I would add them to the list.

I have learnt to embrace the God factor in my doings. So, I started praying to God to guide me in choosing the right people to work with us. I asked Him to bring in those who should be part of our project if they are not already on the list and make those on the list who shouldn’t be on the project unavailable for our shoot dates (laughs).
On the day of the table read, as the actors were banting, asking us questions and giving suggestions on how to make the story better, Benjamin and I exchanged glances, we knew we had gotten it right.

What were some of the challenges you faced during the production of “Offshoot,” and how did you overcome them?

Challenges are a normal part of production. There are always unpleasant surprises, and we address them as they come. One that readily comes to mind was a day we were on set and the property manager switched off the lights while we were shooting our last scene for the day, even though we had not used up our time.

Thankfully, we had shot some takes for the scene and had to make do with it. Our next dilemma was how to get our equipment out and down the stairs in the dark within 30 minutes. But thanks to our amazing cast and crew, everyone whipped out their phones, turned on their flashlights and we made it out in good time.

“Offshoot” explores intense themes such as familial bonds and personal sacrifice. How did you approach portraying these themes in the film?

We all experience familial bonds and personal sacrifices in our everyday lives. Our approach with Offshoot was to infuse it into the fabric of the story. Modesire, the protagonist not only works with the National Drug Agency (NDA) but she heads the Investigation and Operations Unit of the agency.

At the same time, she is a dedicated wife and mother of one, who is looking to grow her family. Dike her husband and Amara their teenage daughter got caught in the web of the threats that Modesire’s job attracted. Their relationship is a melting pot of familial bonds and personal sacrifices. Words won’t do justice to this; you have to watch the film.

How did your background in Human Resource Management influence your approach to producing and managing a film project like “Offshoot”?

As the name suggests, Human Resource Management is about managing the human resources (which are scarce in most cases) of organizations to achieve the organizational goals.

My HR skills are transferrable to film production which involves managing resources (cast, crew, budget, creativity, relationships, emotions, egos etc.) right from the development phase, preproduction, production, post-production and even up to the distribution phase. My eighteen years of experience in HR is a major asset for me as a Film Producer. The acquired skills always come in handy.

“Offshoot” features a blend of action and emotional depth. How did you balance these elements to create a cohesive narrative?

First, I believe a great film starts with an excellent script. We dedicated over a year to writing and refining the script, ensuring it was compelling and had no loose ends. This meticulous process allowed us to weave action and emotional depth seamlessly.

Next was the careful selection of a director. We needed someone who could handle intricate action sequences with precision, avoiding any sloppy scenes that might detract from the narrative. Our chosen director had a deep understanding of how to execute action while maintaining the story’s emotional core.

Finally, our fantastic cast lineup sealed it all. We assembled a talented lineup of actors who could deliver both intense action and heartfelt performances to bring the script to life and make the film engaging.

The character ‘Dee’ faced significant threats and challenges in her role at the National Drug Agency. How did you ensure that her story was both compelling and realistic?

To ensure Dee’s story was compelling and realistic, we focused on three key elements: a great script, and a fantastic director who brought the script to life on screen. Then we had a talented cast with an exceptional actor who portrayed Modesire (De) and was supported by equally skilled actors.

Can you discuss any memorable moments or experiences on set during the making of “Offshoot”?

Every day on set was memorable because of the camaraderie among cast and crew members and everyone’s passion for their craft and the story in particular. But one that stands out is the day we shot the action sequence.  The energy level displayed by everyone was unmatched even though it tailed into 2 am the next day! It was indeed memorable!

What do you hope audiences will take away from watching “Offshoot”?

They will be well entertained. But beyond that, there will be valuable lessons about choices and consequences.

How does “Offshoot” align with the mission and vision of Verte View Limited, your film production company?

At Verte View, we entertain to inform. We create awareness for pertinent themes in society and promote values through visual arts. Offshoot is not only entertaining but also sheds light on ills of the society and draws parallels between choices and consequences.

Can you give us a sneak peek into any future projects you’re working on following the release of “Offshoot”?

There are a couple of untitled projects still in development so I can’t talk about them yet. We are also toying with the idea of an Offshoot spin-off, again still early days and can’t share at this point. Follow us on our social media pages @verteview and you will get all the updates as they become available.

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We all experience familial bonds and personal sacrifices in our everyday lives. Our approach with Offshoot was to infuse it into the fabric of the story.