The Story ⚡
In an exclusive chat with Shock Newsroom, Bolaji Kekere-Ekun, director of The Most Toasted Girl in Lagos, now streaming on youtube, shared his experience bringing the highly anticipated second season of the hit web series to life.
From the creative process to the hurdles of independent production, he takes us behind the scenes of what it took to make the show a reality.
How long did the script development phase take for Season 1?
It took about 5 months and about 3 drafts till we had the final scripts.
What was the production timeline like for Season 1, from prep to wrap?
Between making the first 3 episodes of season 1 out of pocket, becoming the first crowdfunded Nigerian web series on Indiegogo for the next 5 episodes in the same season, pre-production, filming and wrap, it isn’t easy to put a timeline to all that without sounding dramatic. We’re just happy to present season 2 and hopeful that people will love it.
Four years after making Season 1, what inspired you to return for Season 2, and how did your approach differ this time around?
My approach this time was to build out the world of The Most Toasted Girl. Now you get to meet her friends and family and see what she gets up to between her legendary dates. I also wanted to push the boundaries of what the show can explore in terms of genre. So this season of TMTG has action, romance, drama, comedy and more.
What was the casting process like for the lead roles, and what qualities made the final choices stand out?
Nengi is high-key a very good casting agent, so she would suggest certain actors for roles, and i had a few ideas as well. Once you’re familiar with an actor’s previous work, it’s not always necessary that they audition.
One interesting choice, though was the decision to make one of Toasted Girl’s friends be an actor. And for that role, we wanted an actor to play themselves, and so Zainab Balogun plays Zainab Balogun in the show, which I think she enjoyed.
How did you incorporate Nigerian culture and nuances into the storytelling, and what message do you hope audiences take away about Nigerian identity?
As a Nigerian, cultural nuances will show up naturally in your work. However, being intentional and specific about language, fashion, art, music, location, food, and hair helps with the authenticity of your piece.
With this season of TMTG, we introduce different types of Nigerian women at varying levels of success in a diverse range of fields and share that hustle spirit with the world
Key Background
Bolaji Kekere-Ekun is a filmmaker and the founder of 37th State Limited, a media production company specializing in storytelling for brands, documentaries, and film production. With a background in English Literature from the University of Leicester and an MFA in Film and Television Production from the University of Southern California, he has built an impressive career spanning commercials, branded content, and feature films. His expertise extends across directing, producing, editing, and sound design, making him a versatile force in the industry.
Through 37th State Limited, Bolaji has collaborated with major brands such as Google, Hennessy, YouTube, and Etisalat/9mobile, crafting impactful campaigns that have reached global audiences. He has helmed projects like Eko for Show: A History of Lagos Fashion, the award-winning feature film Tainted Canvas, and music videos, including Tiwa Savage’s Ife Wa Gona, which earned accolades at the Nigerian Music Video Awards. His ability to merge storytelling with brand narratives has positioned him as a leading creative in Nigeria’s media landscape, delivering content that resonates across diverse platforms.
In Summary
The Most Toasted Girl In Lagos is now showing on YouTube
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