Nigerian music video director ThankGod Omori, popularly known as TG Omori, has explained why some of the projects he has worked on cost more than $100,000.
Omori spoke during an interview on the Afropolitan podcast published on YouTube on Wednesday, where he discussed the factors that determine music video production budgets.
He said the cost of a project varies according to its creative concept and filming location, which makes it difficult for directors to attach a standard figure to their work.
“Filmmaking is subjective. The ideas vary, and sometimes we don’t like to put budgets out,” Omori said.
The director said productions in the United States generally require higher budgets because of expenses that come with filming abroad, including insurance, labour and other production-related costs.
He specifically mentioned projects he had worked on in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, saying some eventually exceeded $100,000.
“At the end of the day, you’re paying in dollars, and sometimes it goes way above a hundred thousand dollars,” he said.
When asked whether he meant a single music video could exceed $100,000, Omori replied: “Yeah, most times.”
Omori said he had also produced several music videos in Nigeria with budgets of about $100,000. He explained that working locally could leave more room for profit because production costs are different.
He also highlighted the role of local artisans in bringing elaborate concepts to life, particularly in set construction and other aspects of production.
According to Omori, Nigerian artisans can deliver the required quality when given proper creative direction, but working with them requires close supervision.
He said directors may have to personally monitor even minor details of construction to ensure the finished set matches the intended design.
“It might save you some money, but to save your health, to go after your sleep and your health, because you have to literally work with them with every nail that is going into the wood,” he said.
Omori said the difference in production costs between Nigeria and overseas locations ultimately depends on the demands of each project, with location, concept, labour and other services all contributing to the final budget.
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