#abenaobeng

New Talent.

New to the media scene is Abena Obeng and she is smacking down barriers we never knew existed! If you haven’t heard of her where have you been?!

Most Instagram pages illustrate consumerism and the need to participate in image gang. Abena posts more than just pictures of herself but believes her Instagram page is, “a place for people to come and gain something whatever that may be; laughter, new ideas or finding relatability.” Check her out @_abenaobeng_ where she focuses on her mind, photography, and modelling, this ties together to form an extremely aesthetically pleasing and cohesive Instagram page.

Her debut back into acting this year after 2 years of being away, landed Abena a lead role in a forum theatre piece called Life Support. The play toured around London for 2 weeks and received amazing reviews, if you missed it a short film, version will be released mid 2019 next year. Expect it to be revolutionary and to sit next to the Shiro’s story series. The short film will be directed and edited by Abena so we expect to see her recognisable flair.

Her YouTube channel is probably her longest venture yet; we have seen Abena change a lot over the past three years. Not only have the ideas and vision for her channel grown but so has her filming and editing skills!

A ground-breaking new project that will be out later on this year as a Christmas present to her fans is a podcast called “What You Didn’t Take Into Consideration.” This gives us a different more personal insight to her character. Created with her longest friend they discuss all topics; from relationships to the meaning of Brexit for young people it’s current and almost too relatable!

What does Abena stand for? Diversity, being your true self, positive body image - not things many millennials think about today. What is right, the truth and fairness, this is emulated in all streams of her work.

Abena Obeng will soon becoming a household name.

Ways to connect with her:

YouTube: @AbenaObeng

Instagram: @_abenaobeng_

...a short documentary.

Brief: Make a 90 second documentary using your phone which is centred on a treasured possession you or someone else owns.

Once I chose my object, I was tasked with figuring out the best way to bring it to life. With such a short time frame I decided a voice over would be the most efficient way to narrate the story alongside action clips, interview clips and close shots.

I struggled with having such a quick turn-around deadline. It was new for me to have to be so quick with my creativity. I did learn however, that it something I am capable of and slightly enjoy!

My docu. is called Margot.

Brief: Interview someone in your local area.

This week’s brief inspired me to do a 3-part interview series with my longest friend. We went to the same schools and have lived 15 minutes away from each other our whole lives.

The series will consist of written, recorded and filmed interview segments. I will be finding out things I should know/ have been dying to find out about them.

Part 1: Written interview segment: The Base Line

What is your favourite colour? My favourite colour is yellow. Yellow is often referred to as a “happy colour” as colours like these usually evoke feelings of happiness, optimism and energy. Yellow makes me feel very happy looking at it

What is your favourite TV show?

If I was asked this question a couple of months ago, I would have been able to answer with 5 different shows I ranked all equally (all from the DC Universe) but more recently, I find that I’ve just lost interest in most TV shows. Recently, I watched a very engaging documentary called “13th” directed by Ava DuVernay which explores the 13th Amendment in the United States constitution which states that slavery is abolished apart from in prisons.

What is your favourite drink and why?

My favourite drink is water because it is hydrating  😄 lol

What is your favourite meal and what makes it so great?

I don’t have a favourite set meal but rather enjoy mixing my different favourite items to make a meal.  A meal could look like anything with potatoes (chips, hash browns), mushrooms, chickpeas or pizza.

What is your favourite day of the week and why?

Every day is my favourite day as it is another day I am breathing and working towards my goals. 😄

What’s your favourite movie?

I have many favourite movies – Big Hero 6 is top but I also love How to Train a Dragon and Big Hero 6. Now you See Me / How to train a dragon / Big Hero 6

Who is you favourite Youtuber?

My favourite Youtuber is Abena Obeng as she is true to herself and I find that in a world of social media and fake personas, this is needed more than ever. Besides this point, she makes inspiring content and she is incredibly funny to watch. One of my favourite videos from her are “The Start of my life, Who am I lying to?, 1st Year Uni advice, Royal Wedding Predictions. If choosing your best friend is a cop out, then I enjoy watching a vegan family in the US called “This Infinite Life”. They do lifestyle videos and have great personalities.

What is your favourite book?

I have many favourite books; most recently I read Assata Shakurs’ ‘An Autobiography’ which was a fantastic recount of her life and the troubling issues in the justice and prison system. This taught me a lot and made me very reflective.

Who is your favourite author?

Currently, my favourite author is Tomi Adeyemi who made Children of Blood and Bone, a bestselling YA novel mixing magic with Yoruba mythology. It is very inspiring to see a black female Nigerian who looks like me doing amazing things; this is also why representation is so important.  

First thoughts after reading the responses:

·         How did I miss how interesting and “deep,” they are?!

·         It is genuinely so interesting learning things about the people close to you.

·         “Wow, they really do like Big Hero 6!”  😄

·         I’m shocked I'm their favourite YouTuber, in fact I’m flattered.

The stairs of a council estate see everything

 From the drug deals

to the gangsters in hoodies

and low jeans

 To the youths that claim their seats

 forming their very own makeshift youth club

 The single mother on the top floor with a kid on her hip

and a baby in her hand me down buggy

 The old lady that lives at number 56 with no one

but her trolley

 **

Go to the top and you’ll see the stars shine

To the right, the reflection of the London eye

 But go to the bottom and you're

pulled back down to reality

a council estate with no ideas of prosperity,

 How can we fix this?

 The government has vanished

we are left alone

 So we, by ourselves,

form a community strong

 That congregate and escalate whilst we right our wrongs and our flaws