They can only keep you down if you let them

#motivationalwords The best lesson I got from one of my mentors #DavidFincher was the power of NO. Will never forget how much he taught me how to grow and got me where I am today. 🥰 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNQluXptU9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I know I’ve been quiet but most of y’all already know what time it is. Thanks for kicking ass on these @imanicured!! #Shownails #TheWitcher #Whitewolf #geralt #ciri #yennifer @nuka.nails https://www.instagram.com/p/ChsQGBCJ8tU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m not the only artist in my family. Look what my sister Feyi Ogun can do. 🤤 #chefogun https://www.instagram.com/p/CgElp1Psrf2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It feels SO GOOD to be back in the theater!! My friend @elliepyle wrote a beautiful play about Magic ✨and Love ❤️ so naturally we’ll be drinking afterwards. Come join us TONIGHT and tomorrow night! Link in bio Produced by @bespokeplays at @thepico.la Fantastic Cast: @isacamillebriones @adrilingua @cunningdrome @vondexterm @justinlawrencebarnes SUBERB Stage Manager: @effiecumming (at The Pico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc8UmHFJxzx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Hard pressed to think of a better way to celebrate Easter- I mean -My parents taught me the importance of church on Easter!! #nah #imonaboat (at British Virgin Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcdoYa1pvBa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Aye, excited to announce that I’ve signed with @believemedia for Commercial and music video representation!! Let’s make some visual art! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-3xYxvMjV/?utm_medium=tumblr

Calling all aspiring filmmakers! Join us for the Film Fatales for an online panel discussion about Episodic Television Prep with directors Christine Swanson (P-Valley), Valerie Weiss (Outer Banks) and yours truly Bola Ogun (Raising Dion) on Friday April 29th 2pm PT. With support from community partners The Black Film & TV Film Collective, Ghetto Film School and Minorities in Film.  RSVP via the link in my bio.  Preparing to Direct for Television? Come hear from prolific episodic television directors as they discuss what it takes to prep before day one of shooting. What happens in a tone meeting? How do you communicate with actors before you get on set? How do you prepare to helm an episode of a popular show? What is it like being a “guest” on set? How can you use this opportunity to create a more inclusive, collaborative and mindful workplace?  @valerie.weiss.director @onebolafun @cswanson44 @minoritiesinfilm @blacktvfilmcollective @ghettofilmschool #FilmFatales #EpisodePrep #WomenInTV #PullingFocus #TVDirectors #FilmmakerFriday https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb8b_mgPi2A/?utm_medium=tumblr

Just thinking about this kickass #FemaleFilmmakerFriday we had a few weeks back on Shadow and Bone. Yours truly directing, @lbardugo author of the universe, @christinastrain writer/EP, #PetraKorner cinematographer. 🤘🏿#FBF #latergram https://www.instagram.com/p/CabJg26rhfO/?utm_medium=tumblr

More #RaisingDion BTS!! Some cool people and cool gear to work with! Plus a look at our giant storyboards and map to keep track of the fight sequence. And the last photo is 1st AD Marc Garland demonstrating how all the crew felt after wrapping the season. What we do for the love of entertainment! 😆❤️🤘🏿 #setlife #Directorslife #SeasonFinale #Netflix #StreamingNow https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKajC5uEC0/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s finally out!! Raising Dion Season 2 hits @netflix TODAY!! Here are some BTS of us filming almost a year ago, masked and googled up to capture Dion’s adventures. The last two episodes directed by yours truly 🥰 What a treat for my first season finale. Binge away and enjoy! #RaisingDion #Directorslife #SeasonFinale #MindMover #BTS #Setlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcfzyUqr5G/?utm_medium=tumblr

For the first time ever my mom got to watch me direct! Growing up seeing the challenges of being a single mother to three daughters, all I wanted to do was make her life a little easier. Feels good to finally do that ❤️ (at Budapest, Hungary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY9oc7apw6A/?utm_medium=tumblr

It will always feel cool to have your name in Deadline. Ma, I’m in the trades! 🤘🏿#DeadlineShoutout #shadowandbone #Netlix #Directorslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CYzeNXkK8fo/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s been anything but an ordinary year. I’ve never done as much reflection in my life. And let me tell you: it’s effing painful shit. Being burned out then finding my fire again, feeling a lot shame then changing my inner dialogue, searching for more peace and getting way more than I expected, holding space for myself, and allowing room for hope without mocking it. It’s a lot of work. On top of work. But I’m so grateful to have the space to do that because I don’t think the generations before me had that luxury. 2021 had one more lesson to teach me and it’s the perfect button to this year for me. I won’t even judge myself for not truly understanding it until now even though it was in The Lion King. Rafiki KNOCKS Simba on the head. HARD! Simba: Ow! Geez! What did you do that for? Rafiki: “It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. Simba: “Yeah, but it still hurts.” Rafiki: “Oh yes, the past can hurt. Be the way I see it you can either run from it. Or learn from it.” #nailyourintention #cleanslate (at Kimpton Fitzroy London) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKhvaEKy0D/?utm_medium=tumblr

Merry Christmas to all!!! 🎄 https://www.instagram.com/onebolafun/p/CX7shjPqUp-/?utm_medium=tumblr

I am knee deep in the #Grishaverse and some of you got it right! This one’s pretty special for me as a HUGE fan of Arrival. To see Written By Eric Heisserer Directed by yours truly is a treat. Can’t wait to show you our Small Science 🙌🏿 #ShadowAndBone (at Budapest, Hungary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXMZs_1K7CN/?utm_medium=tumblr

We’re leveling up and so are the nails, y’all!!Shoutout to Will at @polishandpaintspa for pulling off the most intricate nails I’ve ever done! I’m hopping on a plane again so you know what time it is: GUESS THE SHOW!! 💅🏿 #shownails #newadventure (at Tom Bradley International Terminal - Los Angeles International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWwXWCWPYKq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Still can’t over this spread! Photo: @nicholas_freeman_art Braids: @mc_braids2 https://www.instagram.com/p/CWrqLCfp7VD/?utm_medium=tumblr