Cinematographer and visual storyteller Michael Agunbiade, known as Mike Age, says he focuses on emotions, not just looks, in his visual storytelling. Every frame he captures must deliver a clear message.
Talking about his work on Sunmisola Agbebi’s worship project, ‘Koseunti’, Agunbiade explained that the visuals were meant to have spiritual and emotional effects, not just beauty.
He said, “The first thing I asked myself wasn’t, ‘What will look beautiful?’ It was, ‘What should people feel?’ Because worship is first an encounter before it’s entertainment.”
He mentioned that the lighting and camera direction were carefully planned to support that emotional feeling.
“For ‘Koseunti’, the brief was to create visuals that felt like an intimate conversation with God, and that informed every creative decision. We embraced soft, directional lighting that wrapped around Sunmisola instead of overpowering her.
“We allowed shadows to exist because worship isn’t always loud; sometimes it’s quiet, reflective, and deeply personal. The camera became another worshipper in the room.”
Agunbiade said the team also avoided aggressive camera movements. Instead, they chose slow, deliberate motions that let the performance and lyrics breathe.
He added that his view of cinematography focuses on storytelling over spectacle.
“Music already tells a story. My responsibility is to make the camera speak the same language. Before I think about lenses or lighting, I try to understand the heart behind the song.
“A close-up can sometimes feel bigger than the widest drone shot if it captures genuine emotion. Larger-than-life isn’t about bigger sets; it’s about moments that linger long after the screen goes black.”
Looking back at the success of the music video and other projects that have gained millions of streams, Agunbiade said their impact comes from emotional honesty, not technical tricks.
“People can tell when something is honest. Audiences have seen every visual effect imaginable. What still surprises them is sincerity.
“We didn’t chase trends; we chased truth. Technology attracts attention, but authenticity keeps people watching.”
The cinematographer, who is also the founder of Cre8vid, mentioned that his company aims to connect technical skill with storytelling in Nigeria’s production industry.
“I noticed that many productions had either strong technical quality or strong storytelling, but rarely both. We wanted to merge cinematic excellence with intentional storytelling.
“The camera is not just equipment; it is a language. Cre8vid exists to speak that language fluently.”
Discussing the difference between making music videos and multi-camera live events, Agunbiade explained that each needs a different mindset.
“A music video is like painting on a blank canvas. A live event is like painting while the canvas is moving. One rewards precision, the other rewards instinct. The more spontaneous it looks, the more preparation happened behind the scenes.
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