We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ade Dina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ade below.

Ade, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I think every kid had their fantasy job when we were younger. When I was about nine, I got really into films and dove further and further into the craft. However, when I was fifteen, I watched a movie that would change everything: The Wolf of Wall Street. Before I could watch Rated-R movies, I would buy my ticket at the kiosk and hope the front attendant didn’t notice I had Rated-R ticket. I made it through for the showing of The Wolf of Wall Street and walked up those dim stairs, and got in my seat. And for three hours I watched a masterpiece where I laughed, felt empathy and also connected to various characters. Ever since Christmas of 2013, I knew this is what I wanted to do

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I picked up my first camera when I was eighteen in my mom’s house and haven’t put one down since. I focus on directing and writing short films of my own but also do commercial work. I gravitate towards more narrative client work but I enjoy anything with a good concept.

What really separates me apart is I truly want to make films that feel like it is coming from an artist. I have long admired and studied films from my youth and now strive to emulate that feeling those gems gave to me. I am very proud that I honestly started in the first place. Wanting to be a creative, let alone a filmmaker is lunacy but I am just glad I trusted myself enough to take that leap.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Currently, I am in an interesting part of my career. I graduated college with a film degree in the Spring of 2021 and struggled to get a job in my career post-grad. In the meanwhile, I made videos for clients to pay the bills and I hated it. I felt like I was commodifying this piece of me that I love only from passion. So when I got a job at Meta as a Producer at the top of this year, I slowed down on using my camera and now have not used it in a few months. I have used this hiatus to rest and get back to my basics. In the next coming weeks, I am getting back to what I love to do and I hope I can now tackle it with a newfound sense of conviction.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Easily the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the final product. There is something about going from just an idea to this fully tangible product that I will never get over.

Contact Info:

• Website: adedina.com
• Instagram: @adetheoba
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/adedina
• Twitter: @adetheoba

Image Credits
Main photo of me is Ikechi Imenyioma