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My name is Samuel Mapaderun, but I go by “Pops.” I’m originally from Nigeria, where my creative journey began long before filmmaking came into play. I grew up sketching and eventually started painting, and that foundation in colour, light, and composition still shapes how I approach every frame I create. Even before moving to Toronto in 2020, I was experimenting with visual storytelling—cutting dance videos to random music and learning how rhythm, movement, and emotion guide the eye.

My visual style is rooted in clean composition, motivated lighting, and a grounded cinematic feel. I’m drawn to images that feel honest and purposeful—frames shaped with the same attention to colour, contrast, and movement that I developed through drawing and painting.

Today, I’m grateful to be behind the camera, collaborating with directors and crews, shaping light, and pushing the big red button. My goal is always the same: create images that resonate emotionally, feel true to the story, and stay with people long after the final cut.