Beginning from second quarter, TV viewers, including those addicted to cable TV, will have ample reasons to stay tuned to their sets as a new drama series, Hotel Vibrations, hits the airwaves.
One interesting thing about the serial is that it is a familiar story narrated in a humorous, engaging and suspense-filled style. Gboyega Oyeniya, who is the brain behind the project, explains that the idea for the story came when he was in a hotel in Cotonou.
The activities he witnessed in the hotel caught his attention in a different way. Hence, his resolve to pass messages across to people about them.
Oyeniya says, ‘‘When I returned to Nigeria, I contacted Mr. Inumidun Atie, who is the executive producer. We did the screen play for about a month and two weeks. The story is a sitcom – a kind of movie production done in a single location. We have about 29 episodes ready. They largely explore themes such as dirty ways, HIV/AIDS and so on.’’
He adds that part of the story is where a woman tells her maid she is looking for one of her panties and she replies that even the husband of her boss can testify that she does not wear same size with her.
‘‘We are trying to pass a message through humour – that operators of hotels should be careful of things that go on there. For instance, a visitor to a hotel may be told to proceed to a particular suite to see the person he or she is looking for, without first seeking the permission of the person to ask if he will want to see the visitor, ‘’ Oyeniya notes.
According to him, the movie production, which took about a month and three weeks, is rendered in English and a little blend of Pidgin.
The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife graduate of Dramatic Arts does not pretend that such a project carries its own challenge. He discloses that it is not an easy task restraining the movement of the thespians who featured in the movie for the period the production lasted.
The actor/producer, who has starred in films such as Dadubule, Scorry Bebo, Ose maami and Olosho, reveals that some of the dramatists sought permission to attend to one thing or the other for two or three days.
He states, ‘‘Besides, there was a time hoodlums besieged the location which is Alesh hotel, Ajah to demand for money. I think they got the information that some artists were shooting a film there. So, they decided to come and disturb us.
“It took the intervention of policemen to make them go. They seized our camera and beat the cameraman.’’
Disclosing that talented role interpreters such as Saheed Balogun, Folake Shadare-Atie, Kunle Afod, Alex Shabi and Makinde Moses are some of those who starred in the movie, the actor, who hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, states that the series derives its title from the plethora of activities that take place in a hotel.
Like every creative individual who always develops many ways of contributing to nation building, Oyeniya says he is also currently planning a reality show titled Omo Yoruba Ponbele (The Authentic Yoruba Indigene).
The show, he notes, will showcase Yoruba culture by camping selected persons from the Yoruba-speaking states in a location in Oyo State where they will be tested on areas such as language, cooking ability and so on.
He adds, ‘‘They will be dressed in Ankara, Kampala and Aso Oke throughout their stay on camp. The winner will be rewarded with a good prize. For now, we are planning an audition to select participants.
“They will go to farm, make garri, hunt and prepare meals. Each of the participants will also be required to converse in his or her dialect throughout the duration the camping period. They will also pay visits to some of the traditional rulers in the South-West.’’
Oyeniya, however, says he is currently having talks with corporate organisations that have expressed interest in promoting culture by identifying with the idea.
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