When it comes to storytelling in film, every department on set matters. Whereas actors tend to primarily be in the spotlight, the behind-the-scenes efforts of other production units contribute to filmmaking success. One such unit is that of make-up and special effects. Special effects, also called SFX, involve techniques that create illusions or enhance the […]
3 months ago
When it comes to storytelling in film, every department on set matters. Whereas actors tend to primarily be in the spotlight, the behind-the-scenes efforts of other production units contribute to filmmaking success. One such unit is that of make-up and special effects. Special effects, also called SFX, involve techniques that create illusions or enhance the visual appeal of film. Often considered an affiliate of makeup, it includes the use of prosthetics, animatronics, miniatures, and pyrotechnics among others.
Special effects cannot be divorced from modern Nigerian cinema, as it is responsible, among other factors, for the rising aesthetic quality of films, contributing as well to commercial success. With the right touches and application of certain products on the faces and bodies of actors on set, make-up, and special effects artists transport actors into the fictional realms of their characters, corroborating their performances on screen and making them look like the characters they portray.
Here we examine five trailblazing makeup and special effects artists in Nollywood today.
Lola Maja-Okojevoh
With over thirty years of experience in the entertainment industry, Lola Maja-Okojevoh ranks as one of the most successful Nigerian makeup artists. The multitalented artist, beauty therapist, and spa and cosmetics brand consultant is a London College of Beauty Therapy graduate and UK-certified specialist in Adult Further Education and began working as a makeup artist at age 14. She freelanced for years with major cosmetics brands before taking up a role as a makeup artist with Iman Cosmetics in 1997. Maja’s make-up portfolio, which cuts across the music, movie, and fashion scenes, is diverse, from special effects to bridal, beauty, and creative fashion. Her portfolio includes working with Tiwa Savage’s My Darlin music video, doing Genevieve Nnaji’s make-up for her clothing brand St. Genevieve, collaborating with celebrities such as supermodels Iman and Tyson Beckford and actresses Omotola Jalade, Rita Dominic and Kate Henshaw. She also served in the make-up departments of at least five of Kunle Afolayan’s films, including The Figurine and October 1, winning the 2015 AMVCA Best Make-Up prize for the latter. Her filmography also includes MTV Shuga seasons 3 and 4 and EbonyLife’s Fifty. In celebration of the 2017 International Women’s Day, she was honored by YNaija/Leading Ladies Africa as one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria.
Hakeem Onilogbo Ajibola (Hakeem Effects)
Hakeem Effects is a prolific make-up, special effects, and pyrotechnics artist in the modern Nigerian film industry. Being one of the best in this department in modern Nollywood, he has worked with several filmmakers on different projects, including critically acclaimed works such as Desmond Ovbiagele’s The Milkmaid, Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Kemi Adetiba’s King of Boys: The Return of the King, Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun, Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo and Eniola Ajao’s Beasts of Two Worlds. He began his creative journey as an actor but ventured into special effects to mastermind artistic works that bridge the gap between the Western world and Africa. He is a recipient of the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Achievement in Make-Up prize and the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) Best Make-Up Prize for his efforts in The Milkmaid and Anikulapo.
Carina Ojoko (CarinaSFX)
Since joining the industry seven years ago, Carina Ojoko has worked with other talents in the makeup department, demonstrating leadership as head of the makeup/hair department or as a lead special effects artist on different projects. A native of Anambra state, she took an interest in film and special effects after school and attended Del York Creative Academy in 2019 and received formal training in her field. Her contributions are evident in the makeup departments of Brotherhood, Blood Sisters, The Trade, The Black Book, Sugar Rush, Hey You, Rattlesnake, Elevator Baby, and MTV Shuga Naija 3 and 4, among others.
Feyisayo Oyebisi (Feyzo)
Skilled in special effects make-up, Feyisayo Oyebisi boasts a decade-long experience in the film industry that has earned her appraisals and nominations for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. Born in Ibadan, Oyo state in the early 90s, Feyzo nursed creative ambitions from her formative years. She took an interest in visual arts and painting and started drawing cartoons. While studying Sociology at Bowen University, she got to intern in the makeup department on the set of the African Magic Series Edge of Paradise and also worked on other productions. Years after unsuccessfully navigating other career alternatives, she settled for full-time make-up and special effects as she served on the set of the 2017 film Ajuwaya. Her creative efforts are showcased in Ayinla, King of Boys 2, Ajosepo, Ile Owo, A Young Time Ago, A Tribe Called Judah, and A Naija Christmas, among others. She was nominated for the Best Make-up and Special Effects category of the 2023 AMVCA for Dare Olaitan’s Ile Owo.
Abiodun Balogun
Abiodun Balogun is a make-up artist and actress in the Nigerian film industry. Serving in the make-up, costume, and wardrobe departments, her creative efforts are evident in Funke Akindele’s Your Excellency and Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Kayode Kasum’s All’s Fair In Love, EbonyLife’s Chief Daddy 2 and Blood Sisters, Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party 2 and Jaiye Kuti’s Scarred. She is the winner of the Best Makeup category of the 2022 AMVCA for her efforts in Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
