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 Tunde Babalola- Script-writer
After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Dramatic Arts from the
University of Ife in Nigeria, Tunde Babalola commenced his writing career in
the UK writing sample 30/60 minute scripts. In 1996, his sit-com play IN
EXILE was the success of the Channel 4 Sit-com Festival and went on to
become a critically acclaimed Channel 4 sitcom series, the first of its kind
in the UK featuring an African actor in the lead role.
IN EXILE went on to win a Special Mention at the 1999 Montreaux Television
Festival.
Tunde was also a regular writer on the successful ITV network police drama
series THE BILL from 1996-2001 turning out episode after episode, exhibiting
his unique and versatile ability for writing both Comedy and Drama. He was
a part of the 1996 season of writers of THE BILL when the series won the
BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series. In 1997, he wrote the LWT-commissioned
SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD, a workshop comedy play that was performed by a
select group of Black actors including Olivier Award-winning actress Josette
Simon. In 2002, he was commissioned by Moonlighting Productions, the
producers of Will Smith's ALI to write a feature film titled CRITICAL
ASSIGNMENT - a political-thriller set in South Africa. The movie was shot
mainly in South Africa and released late-2003 for viewings at film festivals
around the world where it won Best Feature at the Hollywood Black Film
Festival and Best Film at the Screen Nation Awards. The film has recently
been acquired by HBO in the States, and BBC Films in the UK.
In the same year, Tunde was commissioned by Carlton Television to write a
comedy monologue for the Single Voices series. He contributed DEGSY - a
monologue featuring actor Don Gilet in the title role. The acclaimed comedy
won him the prestigious Screen Nation Film & Television Award for
Achievement in Script-writing and was also nominated for a Royal Television
Society Award and a CRE (Commission for Racial Equality) Award.
Also in 2003 he was commissioned by the UK Film Council and Carlton Films to
write a feature film titled PRINCE OF DALSTON a London-based comedy about
the Nigerian experience in London. The movie is due to go into production
in 2006. In the meantime he is currently writing and producing a further
slate of feature movies.
Tunde has won several well deserved awards including the following:
- WINNER, 2004 Screen Nation Awards, (CRITICAL ASSIGNMENT)
- WINNER, 2004 Hollywood Film Festival (CRITICAL ASSIGNMENT)
- WINNER, 2003 Screen Nation Film & Television Award For Scriptwriting (DEGSY)
- WINNER, 1996 Channel 4 Sit-Com Festival (IN EXILE)
- SPECIAL COMMENDATION - 1999 Montreaux Television Festival - (IN EXILE)
- NOMINATED, 2003 Royal Television Society Awards - (DEGSY)
- NOMINATED, 2003 CRE (Commission for Racial Equality) Awards - (DEGSY)
What is the main challenge that you face?
As much as I enjoy writing scripts about life situations in the West, I
constantly strive to write more about the African experience in the UK and
in Nigeria in particular. Coming from the two worlds gives me that unique
insight into both experiences. The merging of those worlds and cultures
results in an originality that I seldom see on television or film. My movie"Prince of Dalston" will explore the conflicts that emerge from the Nigerian
and British culture colliding via the generational gap. That movie should
go into production next year and should do for Nigerians what "Bend It Like
Beckham" did for the Asians in the UK.
What are the main highlights of your career?
There have been many highlights but I would have to say the one which I
still fondly recall is seeing my sit-com series aired on Channel 4 in
January 1997. It would be the first time that any work of mine would be
broadcasted on UK television. I gave up my day job that day and I have not
looked back since!
Which person you would most like to meet?
Muhammad Ali -- for being the icon that he is. He is a dignified human
being who transcended sports and had such an impact on the world and civil
rights struggle. To this day, his mere name conjures up a swelling of pride
within me. As a kid, I used to pretend I was him... boxing gloves and all.
What is your favourite book/movie?
My favourite book is Nelson Mandela's "Long Road to Freedom". A really
emotional yet positive outlook on a man's struggle without bitterness. My
favourite movie is "Shawshank Redemption". It taps perfectly into the human
spirit and what it can overcome and achieve given the right state of mind.
What are you working on at the moment?
I have just completed a thriller for America's Lifetime Movies Channel
titled "Keys of Deception". I am currently working on two feature film
script adaptations: Wole Soyinka's "Ake" and Ola Rotimi's "The Gods Are Not
To Blame". I intend to make movies out of both of them. I passionately
feel a need to take classic Nigerian literary works of art and culture and
turn them into films for all to enjoy and learn from.
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