One of the coolest and most unexpected things that came out of building ShotlistAI was how it enabled us to connect and learn from filmmakers and storytellers all over the world. We've been fortunate to hear many stories, each one a unique reflection of diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives. But today, we want to share with you a story that particularly stands out—one that embodies the importance of diverse voices in storytelling, the power of perseverance, and the innovative ways technology can amplify underrepresented viewpoints. It’s the story of a young Nigerian screenwriter, her determined father, and an up-and-coming film director who believed in their project enough to take a leap of faith.
The Beginning of an Extraordinary Journey
Our story begins with a Zoom call, from a film set, in the bustling city of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. After some email exchanges, we finally got to connect live with Aramide Ogunrinde, a professional film technician and producer in Nollywood. For those unfamiliar, Nollywood is the colloquial term for the Nigerian film industry, which is known for its breakneck speed and prolific output. With approximately 2,500 new titles released annually, Nollywood ranks as the third largest film industry in the world, following Hollywood and Bollywood. The industry operates at an astonishing speed, often completing a movie in just one week—a model that is nearly unimaginable to Western filmmakers.
But Aramide’s latest project, a feature-length film titled "Lawless," is different. This movie is not going to be churned out in a week. It is going to be meticulously planned and executed, and for good reason.
Why is "Lawless" so special? The answer lies in the script, which is an adaptation of a play by a 12-year-old girl named Kanyinsola Ajayi. Kanyinsola is a talented and motivated young playwright with a passion for storytelling that belies her age. Her father, Mr. Ajayi, took note of his daughter's storytelling passion and prolific output, and wondered "Could one of these stories be turned into a movie?"
A Father’s Faith and a Director’s Vision
Mr. Ajayi decided to reach out to Aramide for advice. He wasn’t sure if Kanyinsola’s stories were just the fanciful imaginings of a young girl or if they had the potential to be something more. He wanted to discuss the possibility of turning one of Kanyinsola’s stories into a movie.
Aramide was intrigued. Despite his busy schedule and the demands of the fast-paced Nollywood industry, he took the time to read Kanyinsola’s play. What he found blew him away. The story had everything a good suspense thriller needs—power, corruption, high stakes, love, and of course, a classic Nollywood ending. But more than that, it had a strong social commentary, taking on the issue of corrupt politics in Nigeria. It was a story that needed to be told, and Aramide knew that this project was something special. He contacted Tola Bolaji, a veteran screenwriter, to do the screenplay adaptation.
"Lawless": A Story of Justice, Sacrifice, and Corruption
"Lawless" unfolds the story of Lawrence, a respected and distinguished Nigerian lawyer, who finds himself at a crossroads, facing the most challenging decision of his life. He must put everything on the line, including his career, to fight for justice for the innocent. In doing so, he must navigate the murky waters of Nigerian politics, making tough choices between his principles, his family, and his friendships. But Lawrence isn’t alone in his fight. His daughter, Kofoworola, a young barrister, comes to his aid. However, she too must keep her emotions in check and potentially give up her chance for happiness with her fiancé to help her father.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s legal structure and judicial institutions, "Lawless" shines a light on the bitterness and corruption that permeate Nigerian civil institutions, from educational institutions to security agencies. Those in power can get away with even the greatest offenses. Caught in the web of twisted facts and lies, father and daughter choose to make a difference, and that may cost them their lives.
The Role of Technology in Bringing "Lawless" to Life
As Aramide began to plan the production of "Lawless," he quickly realized that this project would require a different approach than the usual Nollywood production. With a smaller budget and the need for meticulous planning, he knew that he couldn’t afford to waste time or resources. Always forward-looking, Aramide, searched for new filmmaking tools that leverage AI to speed the pre-production process. That’s when he came across ShotlistAI, a shot list-creating software that can create a shotlist from a script within minutes.
ShotlistAI, with its ability to streamline the pre-production process, became an invaluable tool for Aramide. "When I came across shot list generator, I was like, ‘Wow, this is really helpful in getting this movie off the ground quickly,’" Aramide shared with us. "As a director and producer on this project, I couldn’t be happier to have found you." In a film industry known for its fast pace and improvisation, ShotlistAI was helping Aramide and his team take a more deliberate approach to filmmaking—one that would allow Kanyinsola’s story to be told in the most powerful way possible.
The Importance of Diverse Voices in Storytelling
Kanyinsola’s perspective as a young Nigerian girl brings a fresh and unique viewpoint to the story of "Lawless." Her script doesn’t just follow the typical tropes of a suspense thriller—it also weaves in a strong social commentary that challenges the status quo and sheds light on the realities of life in Nigeria.
This is the kind of storytelling that shatters clichés and pushes boundaries. It’s a reminder that stories don’t always have to come from the usual sources. In fact, some of the most powerful stories come from voices that have traditionally been underrepresented in the film industry. And when those voices are given the platform they deserve, they have the power to move us as humans forward.
We’re excited to see where this journey takes Kanyinsola and Aramide. We’re confident that "Lawless" will be a success, not just because it’s a well-crafted, but because it’s a story that needs to be told. In the end, that’s what filmmaking is all about—telling stories that matter. And we’re proud that ShotlistAI could play a small role in bringing this story to life.
If you want to follow the latest news about "Lawless", you can follow their Lawless FB page or Lawless on Instagram. To connect to Aramide @profara01 on all social media | +2348038772003 | aramideogunrinde@gmail.com.
To shotlist your own film or a commercial project, visit ShotlistAI.
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