An award winning movie Producer, Director and Writer. Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro also known as (TJ) has a passion for movie growing up as a little boy. Losing his mother at a very young age, contributed greatly in his interest in making movies. Isioro believes in telling stories that not only addresses the realistic aspect of people’s lives, but also stories that would reflect real life event. Originally from Nigeria which has the 3rd largest movie industry in the world (Nollywood), Isioro arrived in Canada over a decade ago. His initial thought of becoming an actor quickly took a turn when he visited the Toronto Film School (TFS) for the first time in late 2005. Indeed, this became the turning point which led Isioro to realize that it is movie directing, and not acting is his main focus to help carry out his vision.
After graduating from the Toronto Film School (TFS) in 2007 where he took film production, he made a number of shot films which include: 10 Minutes, Two to Tango among others and also worked on other productions. Isioro has written two feature length script titled “Hatchet” a horror genre (Pending for production 2016) and Saving Dreams Movie (a feature drama currently in Post and to be released in 2016) with a goal of submitting Saving Dreams into TIFF, WIFF among others.
Isioro T. Jaboro is the owner, CEO and President of (True Sail Production & Motion Picture) which is currently being incorporated. Isioro was recently nominated and won the best movie producer at the 2015 African Entertainment Awards (2015 AE Awards) for Saving Dreams Movie. Isioro also opened and manages a Facebook group page: The Canadian Black Actors and Filmmakers Guild (CBAFG). This page is setup to encourage black actors (male & female) who are visibly scarce in our movie industry here in Canada while encouraging other filmmakers of all ethnicity or race to join the page and form a collaboration that will encourage all actors. Isioro was recently picked to be one of the judges at this years 9th annual Windsor International Film Festival 48 Hour Flick Fest. OCTOBER 16-18 2015.
Won best producer for the 2015 AE Awards. Thanks to all those that supported me. pic.twitter.com/YGx2oqdOs3
— Truesail Production (@truesailproduc1) September 6, 2015
How would you describe your work as a director
As a director I try to make two thing my priority. The first is to have a strong understanding of the story that I am trying to visualize. I believe that when you put on the hat of being a director, you automatically place yourself in a position whereby you have to understand the story way more than anybody on your set. The second is understanding your actors and working closely with them. Every director have their methods of approach when it comes with working with their talents however for me, I pay very close attention to my actors. One advantage I have on my side was the fact that in film school I took a mandatory course “working with actors.” This puts us in a position whereby we see things from the perspective of an actor. As a director if you can understand and work with your actors, things will move smoothly.
How did you get into directing
Prior to visiting the Toronto film school, and growing up as a little kid, i have always wanted to put myself in the position to tell torching stories, and being an actor was my initial goal. However, when I took a tour at the Toronto Film School (TFS) in 2005, it was a turning point for me. I realize there and then that acting was for me, but rather becoming a director / writer would put me in a position to tell these story as realistic as possible as they should be told.
How do you choose a project to direct
For now I write the stories I produce and direct. Picking up a script to direct in the future is something I plan to do also. The selection process for me would include the type of story, its meaning, it message and ways it would impact people’s lives; these will form the some of the criterial towards project I chose to direct.
Briefly describe in a few words wrong impressions actors, writers,and directors have about directing
I honestly cannot speak from the perspective of an actor since I am not one. However, as a writer/ director, it is not about wrong or rights but it is about methods. If as a director you fail to understand the script / story that you would be directing, then you have a problem and you would lose focus. So for me as a director, understanding is key to directing.
Do you take courses to increase your craft
I have actually gone to take any course but I hope to in the future, however, I do a lot of online research from professionals in the field and get some advice on how to carry on successfully as a director. But it is something that I plan to take on going forward.
What books do you read
I educate/refresh my craft with a lot of online text / video film lectures, interviews, articles. They are helpful and I spend a lot of time reading and watching a lot of them.
Why will you choose an actor, writer or producer. What do you look for
For me choosing an actor is an important part of movie making. You want to choose an actor who is dedicated, who wants the opportunity of facing and taking challenges. Such an actor would deliver for you. I would choose a writer who have a foresight approach, one that writes stories that is good enough to grab my attention. A story that when you start to read it, you don’t feel like stopping and want to get to the end. A lot of people want to be a producer or think because they have worked in a lot or a few shot films or theaters they are now producers. However, being a producer requires a lot of discipline, planning and the ability to be a team player. A producer must be able to put the production on the right track, work within budget and be a spontaneous problem solver.
When you are offered a project, what thing(s) do you put in place to deliver a good job
I put a good team together first. It is important to have a good team that are hardworking, skillful, dedicated to the progression of the production, while having a fun filled set.
Briefly explain your latest work
My last work was a feature film I wrote, produced and directed titled “Saving Dreams. Saving Dreams Movie is about: “A naïve girl with dreams of stardom, marries a powerful man, who abuses her while running a foundation that protects abused women.” The movie is currently in post-production and its scheduled for release in 2016, we don’t have a set date yet.
What thing/situation helps you during production
Focus! Focus! Focus! That was what helped me during production.
Explain a creative choice you took on set on a recent production
Though there are a few of them, but one in particular was when I got my lead actor to do a 360 degree on the top floor of the mansion so that I can show in one take the profile of how beautiful the mansion is. It worked out really well.
How do you advice directors to find projects
Like I say every director or most director work differently, have different vision. So whatever your vision is as a director make show you remain focus and don’t let nothing distract you, pick projects that lines with your vision.
How can filmmakers finance projects
Financing is the hardest part of making movies especially as a starter. Most new film makers face this challenge and I am no exception. However, if you believe in what you are doing and passionate about it, you can’t let that stop you.
What do you want from an actor in production
Give me your best. Get into character and deliver. As a director I can only direct an actor but I cannot be the actor so the actor must understand the script, understand the character and be able to get into character.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production
I would prefer to work with a producer that believes in being a team player, understand the essence of running a production, picking the right team and again understand the importance of working within budget.
What do you think a director can do to get into the film industry
Just keep working hard and believe in what you do, and the sky will be your limit.
Who is your favorite director
Martin Scorsese
Why this director
Martin Scorsese is my man I like his style of directing, his choice of script and the fact that he works with Leonardo Dicaprio who is also one of my favorite actor.
What advice would you give to directors around the world
Just stay focus, believe in your dream, challenges will always come along the way, just be ready to face and defeat them. In the end you find that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Briefly write about your career
I recently worked on a screenplay I wrote in 2008. Yes that’s right, the screenplay for Saving Dreams was written by me in 2008, which is how long it took me to get it passed production stage. Saving Dreams is about: “A naïve girl with dreams of stardom, marries a powerful man, who abuses her while running a foundation that protects abused women.”…during the course of this movie, I was able to work with a number of talents such as: Karen Simpson from a theater background who played (Brenda Jackson): Martin Lindquist was a brilliant actor who played (Steve Reeds): Nosa Obaseki Agbonifo, a Nollywood actor played (Bayo Franklin): Cai Gallant a small town girl played (Amanda Brook) the mistress to Steve Reeds. They were all amazing actors. Putting Saving Dreams Movie into production, really helped to elevate my career to the next level. With Saving Dreams still in post-production and schedule for it world premiere in 2016; through Saving Dreams movie, i was recently nominated and won the best movie producer at this year’s 2015 African Entertainment Awards (2015 AE Awards). This is just the begging of good things to come, and it has also paved way for my next movie production “Jr’s Hatchet” which is a horror and scheduled for 2016.
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