How a group of tertiary institutions students are redefining what independent filmmaking is while learning and having fun along the way
‘..It’s a necessity to create’
At least that’s what young director Osy believes as he changes the program of events for the first ever premiere of his miniseries “DETENTION HOUSE”. The story follows high school students who have been sent to a correctional prison like education facility to ‘correct their bad behavior.’ it follows the students relationship with each other as well as trying to survive the hellish institution, laissez-faire teachers and a very passionate head master educator. And the most interesting part, all roles are portrayed by students in a federal University.
Meet Osinachi Samuel or as most of his mates call him Director Osy a law student during the week and a film lover at heart. His love for him led him to create his series. “Detention house has been in production for three years now and we are finally releasing the first episode, I’m elated’ he tells me, I can see it. I can also see the excitement on the faces of the other two with him, Gabriella Oforah, the beautiful protagonist of the series and a shy but equally excited actor, who they later tell me is the lead male character, Crystal, Eluwa, Gabby and Crystal, Nalu and Kelvin 
‘We’re all students, from AE-FUNAI, a federal university in Ebonyi State, all of us or most I think, the cast, the crew pretty much everyone that worked on this” he adds. From writing the scripts, to casting, to shooting with our phones, it’s been crazy and it’s been something I’ve always wanted to do, even when it didn’t seem possible like when our actual first Nalu couldn’t act again cause of her personal schedule, felt like it was over till we found gabby, I thank God for that cause she is and always be amazing’
Right now Detention House is available to watch on YouTube. 
read the full interview below (note that the interview has been edited for clarity purposes)
Q: What inspired you to come up with Detention House?
Director Osy: All I knew was, I didn't want to go through five years of my stay in school without doing something I love doing. Creating! Detention House was actually created out of necessity. I originally wanted to create a full high school film. However it was unrealistic with the vast number of cast that would have been required at the time, so fortunately, I came up with a clever way of creating a high school show with a smaller cast that would make sense in the concept of the story.
Q: Who are your favorite filmmakers and what your favorites series are
Director Osy: From the top of my head, John Lasseter, John Favreau, Wes Anderson, Sam Raimi, to name a few. My favorite series: Abbott Elementary, Legend of the Seeker, Everybody Hates Chris, The Thin Blue Line, The Walking Dead, to name a few.
Q: I know it’s not easy but how was it turning your dream and passion project into a reality?
Director Osy I guess I was relentless. I was completely aware that I was a novice, and didn't have the manpower or appropriate film equipment at the time...but I looked past all of that and kept my sights on the endless possibilities
Q: Tell us a little about Detention House?
Director Osy: Detention House is a simple story about a boy that wants to be left alone but the world won't leave him, and a girl that wants the good things in life but is rather presented the worst things life has to offer. It's a story about the reality of how students turn out when their parents, guardians and teachers have failed them.
Q: Who is your character?
Gabby: Chinalu okezie is a spoiled brat. She depends on her father to always cover up her mistakes. She feels like everything can be given to her on a silver platter, every time. Well fortunately for her and her character development, the Correctional Facility came into the picture and it’s something she couldn't have her dad save her from anymore! 
Q: How was the chemistry on set especially between you and Gabby
Crystal: Gabby made it quite easy for me to work with her, she's a beautiful soul and was fun to work with.
Q: What was it like working and learning things on the go?
Crystal: I was shy and nervous at the first instance but as time went on I adapted to the cast and crew members. Osy also helped me improve on a lot of aspects.
Q: This is your first time acting for TV, a debut for most of you actually, so how do you feel about it. What’s the mood around the crew?
Gabby: The crew not gonna lie made it easy for me and everyone to achieve something. The director, the cast, camera men, and the rest of the crew everyone really put in their best.
Q: Did you take acting classes on YouTube? How did you prepare for your role?
Gabby: I didn’t take acting classes physically, but I watched tons of YouTube videos on acting to at least understand the craft to a good level. This is my first acting role so I won’t say it will be my best. I will definitely work harder and sharpen my skills to become a better actor. 
Q: What should we expect from the rest of the cast?
Crystal: The cast members are so so so great. Unlike me, most of them have raw acting talents and I'm sure this is just a stepping stone for most of them
Q: I heard from your director that the majority of filming was done in your final year. How did you cope balancing Detention House and finals?
Gabby: To be honest it wasn’t easy, I was stressed, and had a lot to deal with at the time but thanks to be to God I scaled through.
Q: How did you manage working as a Jack-of-all-trades persona in the making of Detention House?
Director Osy: I think being a Jack-of-all-trades is the job of a filmmaker. I think a filmmaker that does not know a little bit of every aspect of making a film is very limited. I'm just grateful I already developed some skills like photography and scriptwriting so I was already halfway there. And I'm a quick learner, if I didn't know something, I researched it in no time.
Q: Anybody you’ll love to give acknowledgments too?
Director Osy: I'd like to thank my crew members that have stuck with me from the very beginning, Ajoks, Lawrence, Chika, Bright, Blaq-J, Timothy and the rest of the whole team, my lovely actors that put up with me and saw my vision and acknowledged it. My two lead actors especially for believing in themselves and believing in my belief in them. I'd love to also thank my Uncle for believing in my vision when it was nothing but a vision, and the rest of my family back home.
Watch Episode of ‘Detention house’ here