From calculating equations to framing captivating scenes, Barnabas Emordi’s journey from a mathematics major to one of Nollywood’s most sought-after cinematographers is a testament to the unexpected pathways life can offer.
Emordi’s story is a blend of academic prowess, artistic passion, and relentless determination, proving that the most successful careers are sometimes found in the unlikeliest places.
“Despite growing up in a family that consumed a lot of films from Hollywood, Nollywood, and Bollywood, I never imagined that I would eventually make films myself,” Emordi said.
After graduating from Delta State University in 2015, Emordi sought work to earn money while waiting to start his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. He connected with a former secondary school friend, who offered him a job as a puppeteer at Basement Studio, an animation studio that produced cartoons.
This marked Emordi’s entry into the entertainment industry. During this time, a friend introduced him to the basics of camera operation through videos about a Canon 60D. Emordi’s background in mathematics instilled in him a belief that any problem could be solved, fuelling his confidence to learn and adapt.
“I feel that studying mathematics provided a strong foundation for my cinematography career. Lighting design, a crucial aspect of cinematography, involves calculating angles and understanding how light sources behave. These principles are rooted in mathematics and physics, subjects I studied extensively.”
After a year at the animation studio, Emordi became the continuity manager for the popular 2016 YouTube series “This Is It” by Lola D. By this point, he had already gained experience in various roles within the film industry, including production designer, production assistant, art director, and behind-the-scenes work for production companies.
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He had also worked as an assistant director, continuity manager, costume designer, and editor. This diverse experience gave him a well-rounded knowledge of filmmaking, contributing to his growth as a filmmaker.
Between 2015 and 2016, Emordi dedicated himself to learning about filmmaking through books and online resources.
In late 2016, he met Niyi Akinmolayan, the founder of Anthill Studios, while producing the short film ‘Room 315.’ Akinmolayan sought to involve young, inexperienced individuals in the filmmaking process, and Emordi, despite his limited experience, applied for an internship in the production design unit.
Akinmolayan accepted Emordi’s application, and he began working as a production assistant to the production designer. While building sets, he gained valuable knowledge about colour theory and the practical applications of colour. During filming, Emordi made a point to observe the cinematographer closely, absorbing insights about the overall filmmaking process.
In early 2017, Emordi participated in Akinmolayan’s documentary competition. After submitting an online video pitch, he was accepted and awarded N200,000 — his first earnings from his newfound career. Following this success, he embarked on a personal documentary project about the survivors of the Biafran War, which involved traveling to eastern Nigeria.
The first film Emordi was featured as a camera operator was ‘Elevator Baby,’ and starred Toyin Abraham and Timini Egbosun. It was what propelled him to mainstream cinematic stardom.
His first director of Photography work was on the movie ‘Day of Destiny’ by Anthill Studios, the first ever Nollywood time travel film that featured Olumide Oworu, and the rest was history. Emord’s filmography boasts a diverse range of projects, from, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ which made history as the first N1 billion film, ‘The House of Secrets,’
‘Prophetess,’ ‘Superstar,’ ‘Hey You,’ ‘MTV Shuga Naija 5,’ and in 2024 shot ‘Lisab,’ ‘The Betrayed,’ ‘When Love Strikes,’ ‘Meeting Funmi’s Parents,’ ‘Insecure,’ and ‘A Night in 2005,’ which all earned a combined N149 million making him one of the highest grossing Director of Photography in 2024.
“My journey isn’t just for me; I want to inspire an entire generation of Nigerian cinematographers. We have the potential to achieve great things in the film industry. We can earn what we deserve, receive recognition, and win awards if we consistently produce high-quality work.
“I have been fighting for this for the past few years because our industry needs to grow. Hollywood has amazing technicians in all fields, and we can reach that level, too. We can become leaders and contribute meaningfully to the industry’s progress. That’s my goal and mission for the coming years,” Emordi said.
Since receiving an AMVCA nomination for ‘Superstar,’ Emordi’s reputation and demand have grown significantly in Nigeria and internationally.
ARRI, one of the top camera brands, during the launching of their Alexa 35 camera series in 2022, partnered with Emordi to represent Africa to shoot experimental films to test the camera’s capabilities. This was done in Europe, Asia, and South America. Being part of the project made him the first black filmmaker to shoot with the Alexa 35.
“Studying mathematics may have seemed confusing during school, but the problem-solving skills I acquired have proven valuable in the real world. Whether it involved statistical or theoretical problems, the skills I learned are transferable to many areas. Math has unexpectedly helped my cinematography career.
“For example, I can easily understand budgets and estimate costs. Additionally, concepts like focal length and angles come naturally to me due to my math background. These are just a few benefits that studying mathematics has provided,” Emordi stated.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Barnabas embraces the world with a spirit of adventure. An avid traveller, he seeks inspiration from diverse cultures, allowing their richness to infuse his creative process.
When he is not behind the camera, he is exploring new landscapes, finding solace and inspiration in the freedom of the open road.
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