Meet Uzo Opara | Director, Creator, Dancer, Digital Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Uzo Opara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Uzo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was actually going to college studying to be a chemical engineer because I’ve always been a wiz at Science and Math, especially chemistry and calculus. However, during that time, I had realized that my first love had always been stories. I grew up reading books, watching tv and cartoons, and movies. A lot of my personality has been shaped by these stories I grew up on and I want to be able to inspire others the way these stories have inspired and impacted my life. While in these engineering classes, I could not stop thinking about the stories I had been writing out since high school. So, much to my parents’ dismay, I switched from Chemical Engineering to Media & Communications to learn how to be a director and producer. I’m sure every African parent reading this right now is sucking their teeth so hard right now lol, but I don’t care.

The best piece of advise I got that convinced me to make the switch was from a fellow Nigerian engineering classmate in his mid-30’s. He said to me “You don’t want to wake up when you’re 40 still thinking “What If…’ ” Shoutout to Chude and Chidi!

Kids, follow your dreams. The barrier of entry may be intimidating, but there is no ceiling to what you can achieve! Hopefully I can come back to this article in a few years and be proud of my message.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create stories that reflect the people I’ve encountered in my life and the lessons I have learned. My mom always said I like a cartoon character and I learned to embrace that in my creativity. My art and stories I can really only summarize as Live-Action Cartoons. I really can’t describe it any deeper, you just have to watch my material. What I am most proud of is my newest short film “Stay With The Shits”. It’s a play on a catchphrase commonly used by black people, so those of you who don’t understand, this is NOT a short film about poop jokes lmao. It pretty much means that I’m amazing/badass/cool/etc. The short is really just the beginning of a longer film that I have written and will start shooting in 2024.

It was NOT easy. The hardest part about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry while in LA is finding people who are RELIABLE, HONEST, and DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY DO! It’s amazing how many people just lie ridiculously straight to your face out here, but that’s the nature of the beast I guess. the best way to overcome this challenge is finding your people really. People you can rely on, you can put your trust in, and are willing to contribute. It takes time, I know that sucks to hear. And you can’t buy these qualities with money!

Most important lesson I have learned out here is to BELIEVE IN MYSELF! I might sound cocky, but no one can do it like I do. But y’all will find that out in time.

What I want the world to know about my story and my brand is that you need to believe in your own Power. So many people get taken advantage of in this world, because they do not realize their own Power. Their Power of Choice, Power of Body, Power of Mind, Power of Spirit, Power of Speech, Power of Love. You are made in God’s image and God is not weak, neither are you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visiting for a week these are a list of activities I would plan.

Surfing at Malibu or Zuma Beach
Rollerskating at Moonlight Rollerway
Go-Karts
Studio Photoshoot (I’m a photographer)
Cool House Party (no to LA clubs)
Hiking
Freestyle Dance sessions
Sports Game
Hollywood Sign
Griffith Observatory

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Big SHOUTOUT to my mom for buying me my first camera and my first car. I give a HUGE Shoutout to my brothers! My older brother, Ugo, for always hearing my stories when we were younger, the first person to give me the confidence in my stories. Thank you to my little brother, Obieze, who lets me speak my mind about all the struggles I’ve been going through in LA and always reminding me of how great I am, and that these struggles are just part of the story. And a VERY BIG THANK YOU to my friends I have met out here in LA that have helped connect me to work and helped me create some of the stories I’ve come out with. After almost 6 years out here, I’m really starting to find my Tribe.

Website: https://www.uzoopara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uzoopara_/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@wonderwallproductions

Image Credits
First headshot: Valencia Free Beach photos: Jermaine Hillsman