By Jumoke Alawode-James
I produce and direct events. And I started in 2004, as a young television presenter, who got introduced to events by my TV Producer at the time, Mute Olori (as a production assistant) and she introduced me to Edi Lawani, the events and TV guru in Nigeria. Incidentally, we both had degrees in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, which gave us a common ground and he’s still my boss till today.
I have spoken about Edi Lawani at any opportunity that I get. He sponsored (full scholarship) my first Masters degree (in International Law and Diplomacy in 2007 and you know how those Law books can be costly), pushed me to register Oluwaloninyo Limited (Events & Media) in 2009 and pushes jobs my way every other day.
He’s the real definition of a man of God. He just doesn’t call himself Pastor.
Anyway, I work with scripts, show flows, communication radios (walkie talkies) or sometimes wired comms.
Sometimes I call the show (particularly when an event is being aired live on TV). I was Floor Manager for: Big Brother Nigeria 1, Pilot of “moments with Mo”, etc. So I have “old school” experience. If I see you with a phone during production, you are definitely not serious.
As we have an unwritten rule not to eat during an event (as the food is for guests not production crew), it will be foolhardy for you to be hugging your phone while working. It will definitely pass the wrong message.
Well, until I met a client who wanted to produce her own show….. communicating with me via WhatsApp.
Of course I had my phone in my bag. You can reach me in case of an emergency, but I’m definitely not going to be checking my WhatsApp messages.
Until, she accused me…. Severally!!!
“Jumoke you are not checking your WhatsApp….”
Every SINGLE time, it would be on the top of my tongue to reply her, “I don’t check my phones while working”.
I mean, I’m wearing radio headsets, directing lights, sound, etc. I have my script, following my event host back to back. It’s not time to be checking phones.
But, every SINGLE time, I would bite my tongue. She’s sending WORK related messages. If that’s how she knows to communicate, that’s work!!!!
Pardon me folks, I’m from the “old school”. The era where you ask me to design your event, we agree on costs, shake hands and I expect you to come to your event in a Tuxedo or evening dress, while I wear my head cams and black T-shirts (to stay inconspicuous).
I come from the era where we don’t communicate again, till you give me feedback after the event. Of course, you can make subtle changes. Big changes often upset all my plans and give me palpitations. But, yes, you can call me to say your keynote speaker is no longer coming, I need to get the Comedian to fill up the space.
Yes, in eventing, we say, “if anything can go wrong, it will”! And things often do go wrong. But, I am from the era where we have back up generator, for your back up generator (that’s another conversation, as I am from Edi Lawani’s school of ALWAYS PREPARED FOR RAIN). But I am Nigerian. Constant electricity supply is still in the future…
Anyway, technology has changed every facet of our lives. Best to shape in, or you will be shaped out.
Now, client wants to produce their own event via WhatsApp. Who are we not to adapt?
If you see me reading messages while speaking into my Comms radio, my executive producer is giving instructions! And I am following!
Jay drops mic.
Still durrying Detty December!
We will fast in January!
**Alawode-James, a broadcaster, show host and events planner, first published this on her Facebook page
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