How does one carve out a legacy in an industry already rich with talent? For Clarence Peters, the answer lies in resilience, reinvention, and an unshakable passion for storytelling.
Born into a household deeply rooted in Nigerian entertainment—his mother, veteran actress Clarion Chukwura, and his father, legendary musician Shina Peters—Clarence was surrounded by creativity from the start. It was only natural that he gravitated toward cinematography.
Speaking with Chude Jideonwo on #WithChude, he reflected on how this upbringing shaped him but also revealed that, at one point, he battled imposter syndrome. Through it all, his mother was the first to truly see his potential and believe in his talent.
Why settle for just directing music videos when he had a bigger vision? With that mindset, Clarence built Capital Dreams Pictures, approaching it with a filmmaker’s perspective to tell grander stories.
However, the years between 2020 and 2023 tested him like never before.
“I had to go through the fire to be able to come out where I am now. I think I’ve really just started getting myself back this year. 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023—those four years were, yeah, really intense, but also built my character. I learned a lot of patience, which I didn’t have before. I learned that nothing’s 100% bad, nothing’s 100% good. Nothing is black and white. I learned to be a better filmmaker.”
Through the toughest moments, industry heavyweights like Olamide stood by him, and he drew wisdom from veterans like Bose Ogulu and Jude Okoye, whom he described as a “wealth of wisdom.”
As the industry continues to shift, Clarence acknowledges how things have changed—from directing multiple videos a week to watching a new generation of creatives redefine the landscape.
His journey is one of growth, change, and ultimately, finding his way back when everything felt uncertain.
Watch the full conversation below: