Adeniyi ‘TAJ’ Joseph is a 26-year-old cinematographer with a passion for helping people. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, what gets him fired up about Africa’s creative industry is the fact that there are numerous stories to be told about the continent.
“I think the film industry will be the highest employer of labour, [and] will be a source of inspiration for people. The way that the African creative industry is evolving is fast paced and I want to be a part of the evolution,” says Adeniyi.
One of the most memorable films he can remember watching is Yoruba film Iru Eshin, particularly because it moved him to tears. His favourite film is Isoken.
The African creative that he looks up to the most is Nigerian director of photography Adekunle ‘Nodash’ Adejuyigbe, who was also the director of photography on Isoken. Adeniyi particularly admires Nodash for his attention to the smallest detail. This is why Adeniyi believes that amazing cinematography is the one thing that makes a good film.
According to him, the biggest challenge facing Africa’s creative film and television industry is a lack of enough film creatives with technical skills. He believes this gap can be bridged through the encouragement of technical skill improvement in the industry.
Adeniyi hopes to learn as much as he can about the film business and the process of filmmaking as a MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy student, and thereafter put what he has learnt into practice.