Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Omó Pastor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Omó thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I went to Texas for the 2016 Inaugural Nate Parker Film Institute after graduating university, and I met a young man from Zimbabwe. Being that we are both from the Continent, we connected and spoke on various topics. The most important one was the conversation of the African immigrant’s struggle compared to the African-American’s struggle. I am first-gen born in America to Nigerian immigrants, and I have a deep understanding of both groups. After our discussion, I realized the ignorance of both groups, so I decided to create a film centered around this dialogue. My take was going to be quite different, and I believe through my film, Privilege, I was able to start conversation about what is not being said. My most meaningful project till date – my short film, Privilege.

Omó , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a visual storyteller as well as author, and I began my artistic career at age 6, but didn’t know it at the time. I loved writing growing up, and I stuck with it ever since. I knew I’d become a writer when I got older, so I made sure I did. I began the visual aspects in high school, and decided that the creative life is what I love, and I am going to pursue this journey. I am happy here.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Well, it is not a story, but I honestly make pivots – mentally – almost every day when it comes to my career choices. Sometime along my creative journey, I started to believe that I did not want my art to be my main source of income. What I meant at the time was that I did not want to have to rely solely on my artistry to live and thrive in the world. The reason why is because I started becoming the “struggling artist” and realized that it was not fun because I was taking gigs to make ends meet and not because I really wanted to shoot that event. Last year, I was working as a high school teacher – something I said I would not become- to be able to stay afloat and live comfortably. I have had thoughts and performed some actions towards becoming a pharmacist at one point. Sometime, I am all over the place, and that is why I feel I am constantly making pivots in my career – and life.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The people’s reactions. How they feel after watching my film, or what they see in my images. What they hear in my stories and poems. The conversation and the dissection of my work is the most rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.omopastor.com
• Instagram: @omopastorr

Image Credits
Personal Photo – Photographer: Snvroy Visuals