Stanlee Ohikhuare hails from Owan West L.G.A of Edo State; a village called Ivbiodohen to be precise. He is a graduate of the University of Benin from where he obtained a bachelors degree in Fine Arts specializing in painting.
He also has a National Diploma in General Arts from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. His earlier education can be traced to St. Celia’s Home Nursery School in Ikoyi- Lagos, Hope Primary School, Queens Drive,Ikoyi – Lagos, Command Children’s’ School, Enugu and Union Secondary School, Enugu.
His professional background covers employment as a graphic artist and Illustrator in FRANK MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, SIGNATURE FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS & DIGIPRINTS INTERNATIONAL. He also
freelanced as a cartoonist for Healthmate Newspapers and Daily Times where he worked briefly with Josey Ajiboye. His first Creative Boss in the advertising Industry; specifically at Signature Folio after graduation was Tayo Aje.
Stanlee’s last paid employment before establishing his own firm was at DIGIPRINTS International where he worked with Talal Wehbe and by extension; the Mukarim Family (Mouka Foam)
His Earliest introduction to main stream production and multimedia came from free-lancing engagements as a storyboard artist with SO&U Saatchi under the Creative Direction of Uche Anoruo. It was there that he also met some of his long term inspirational friends such as Tolu Ajayi, Patrick Opene and Segun Edun – like minds with whom he has shared almost every new idea he has imagined ever since. His free-lancing soon extended to animatics as soon as he began his self training in 3D Animation.
Today, he is the C.E.O of one of Nigeria's most notable Animation Studios - MIGHTY JOT STUDIOS; the platform under which he is serving the world with Nigeria's first feature - length 3d animated movie, LIFESPAN THE MOVIE which has been in production since 2005 and due for release soon.
His company offers Design Consultancy Services in Advertising, Branding, Content Creation, Events and Brand Activation. Mighty Jot Studios has eventually become a specialized film/electronic media production company that is practically run on what Stanlee describes as “Dry Cell”.
Over a period of nine years, Stanlee shot several TV Commercials for advertising agencies, multinationals and several other interest groups before embarking on his movie making quest.
He finished his first feature-length movie -”HEAVY BEAUTY” in March 2012 and has proceeded to shoot LOOP the Movie(October 2012), THE DEADWOOD(November 2012), TUNNEL the Movie(January 2013), STING the Movie (May 2013) and OBLIVIOUS (May 2013). His movie “Loop” became viral when he premiered it online on the 1st of February 2013. The movie so far has five nominations and one award. He just finished shooting a first of its kind HORROR MOVIE titled "KPIANS - The Feast of Souls."
Stanlee’s style is surreal, neo-realistic and drenched in “chiaroscuro”…whenever the opportunity presents itself. His fascination towards Chiaroscuro and his surreal disposition are offshoots from his painting background as well as his deep imagination.
Stanlee’s workflow as a Director/Cinematographer/Art Director includes certain pre-production rituals that he considers a MUST – Storyboarding, Treatment And “No holds barred” execution plan – STAN. He believes in finishing challenging production off location before the camera rolls.
As a socially responsible professional, Stanlee organizes an annual creativity and IT training seminar in collaboration with his first training ground, Yabatech, tagged Creator Factor. During the seminars, he gathers the crème of the advertising and production industry to train over 500 students and enthusiasts absolutely Free of charge. This has been on for three years now.
Stanlee’s skills cut across writing, directing, cinematography, lighting, art direction, photography, editing, special effects, stunts supervision, illustration, painting, sculpture and 3D Animation.
Stanlee is a self in all of the above- mentioned fields except of course; painting .He is a photography enthusiast and he credits is success in cinematography to his love for photography.
His mastery of color and lighting is attributed to his background as a painter while his exploits in 3d animation are all linked to his training in GENERAL ARTS prior to his specialization in painting at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology from where he bagged a National Diploma. This is because Animation requires exceptional Drawing, Painting, Graphics, Sculpting and Mathematical skills.
Just like a couple of his most admired Directors in the international circles, Stanlee did not attend any film schools – he simply went to the films and got initiated to the art of film making. As a child, the most fascinating motion picture that made a lasting impact on him was “THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD”
The people who have inspired Stanlee to success include Osayande Aghamiogho Osunde (1961-2008).A man who boosted his confidence in himself and provided mentorship shortly after Stanlee left his last job to establish his own business; Femi Odugbemi – who Stanlee admires for his creativity, simplicity, humility and open-mindedness, Odi Okundaye – Stanlee’s Pastor and friend for over 13 years, Okwoju EL-Dragg Leonard – Stanlee’s Drawing and Painting Lecturer in the University of Benin and a man who he considers the “best painter in Nigeria”, Salvador Dali – a Spanish Painter whose books and paintings stanlee encountered in 1995 and brought him up to speed with his already inbred inclination towards Surrealism in his creative works, Quentin Tarantino –Stanlee’s most admired director, StanLee of Marvel comics – the brain behind the “Spiderman”, Stephen Spielberg, James Cameron, Peter Jackson– the director of “Lord of the Rings” – Stanlee’s most watched movie and finally, Francis Ford Coppola – the director of the movie with the cinematic style of Stanlee’s fantasy – The Godfather.
Stanlee lives and works in Lagos – Nigeria and is happily married to Daisy Ohikhuare nee Okosun and together they have two sons & a daughter.
His hobbies include photography, basketball, singing and drawing.