SET DESIGN AS A GAME CHANGER IN NOLLYWOOD: A STUDY OF HOUSE OF GAA BY BOLANLE AUSTEN PETER

In filmmaking, set design is more than decoration; it is an important storytelling tool that helps create the world of a film. In House of Gaa, directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, set design plays an important role in presenting the history, culture, and political power of the old Oyo Empire. The film makes use of carefully designed palaces, courtyards, shrines, and symbolic spaces to express authority, conflict, and traditional values, helping the audience to better understand the characters and their environment. This study examines how set design contributes to storytelling, character development, historical representation, and audience engagement in the film, as well as how it works with other cinematic elements such as costume and lighting. The study adopts a qualitative research method through visual analysis of selected scenes, supported by relevant books and scholarly materials on film production design. The findings reveal that set design in House of Gaa functions as an active part of the narrative rather than a mere background, strengthening mood, power relations, and historical authenticity. The study therefore recommends that filmmakers, especially those working on historical films, give greater attention to well-researched and culturally accurate set design to enhance storytelling and audience experience.