Your movie, ‘Living Funeral,’ was screened at the Cannes Film Festival…
The movie took a life form of its own and was screened at the short film corner at Cannes Film Festival. It also got about eight nominations at Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2014 and Africa Movie Academy Awards. When I was making the movie, I was not thinking about any festival or award. I am glad people connected to it. It is encouraging and rewarding.
Why did you switch from directing to acting in Tinsel?
I actually switched from acting to directing. People do not know I started from the stage as an actor before I went to a drama school- Theresa Bells, in Dallas, Texas, United States of America, to learn acting for the screen. I worked in the studio for two years, acting for the screen before I started directing, writing and producing my own stories. I have always been an actor. Acting now is just like going back to my first love, which is where I started. That is my training as well.
Have you given up directing?
I am still a director. I still have my own movies that I want to make but Tinsel is taking up my time. Some of my projects are on the background and very soon, I would do another short film.
Did you learn directing in drama school?
I did not. Everything I know about directing, I learnt by myself. I have no inclination to go to film school. I watch a lot of movies and I am a cynic. I am part of other people’s production but I would not rule out the possibility of going to film school in future, maybe for networking purposes.
Is a drama school different from a film school?
Drama school is purely for acting. You are taught the techniques, scene breakdowns and studies, but film school teaches the technicalities of making a film, as well as directing. Film school also teaches acting, only if you want to major in acting. That department is totally different from being a producer or director.
As a new cast on Tinsel, how do you relate with other actors?
I am glad to be part of that ensemble. It raises my game as well. We all get along pretty well outside the set.
Did you decide to be an actor from childhood?
I wanted to be a composer of music. I used to love classical music and jazz. I never used to sing but I played instrumentals in my church for seven years. When I went to the university, I wanted to study music to be a composer, not to sing. But my parents did not allow me to do that. I majored in accounting. The deal was that after my studies in accounting, I would go back to study music. But in my second year, I took a theatre elective and that was where I discovered the stage and my passion for movies. I have been acting on stage since then. After I graduated, I did some community theatre in Dallas before I went to drama school to learn acting for the screen. That was how my journey started.
Do you intend going back to music in future?
I do not think so. I think that ship sailed. I love what I do now and I think everything was leading to what I am doing now. I have discovered myself and from the first day I walked into that class, I knew that this is what I want to do.
How did your parents take your decision to go into acting?
Naturally as Africans, they did not understand it initially. After the nominations started coming in and my movies were travelling to other continents, they started to understand what I do. My parents are my biggest fans now and they support me all the way.
What were the initial challenges?
It was difficult. I had an accounting degree and I wanted to study acting. I knew my parents would not give me money for that. I had to see myself through drama school. I worked in a tax office in Dallas by day and attended acting classes at night. It was not easy. That was my life and I had to pay my bills too. Acting classes were not cheap and I had to juggle between both. There were days I had to choose between food or class; I guess class always won. It was my passion. The recognition of my work has been tremendous. I am glad people like my work.
How did you adjust on moving back to Nigeria?
I moved back to the country at the right time. It was easy adjusting. I grew up here in Nigeria before I travelled, although I spent 10 years outside the country. I visited Nigeria twice. I was grounded in my roots so the adjustment was not much.
What was growing up like?
I am the third child out of four. I have a brother and two sisters. I grew up in Lagos. I was the stubborn kid in the house. I used to roam the streets against my parents’ wishes. I liked it because I am not a flashy person by nature. My parents never liked that I was out late.
How do you feel about the competition in the industry?
I am not competing with anyone. If I am, it should be with myself. I have my own goals and I do not compare them with any other person’s goals. Any other film maker can do what they do and I enjoy it. I have my own vision and what I want to achieve. I do not know if they feel the same way, but I am not out for competition. I just want to make films as a film maker, whether it gets recognised or not. I am not trying to overdo the next person. It is an American mentality. I want to tell my own story and for people to connect with it. That is what film making is about, not competition. It is about building the industry and trying to get it to the next level.
You could have decided to be a model for your height…
When I was in Dallas, I was modelling as well. I was signed on to an agency as a talent but they used to book me up for modelling gigs. It was free money then, but I did not do too much of that because I signed up as a talent not a model.
Would you act nude in a movie?
It depends on the story and who is making the film. I would not say yes, but nudity in story telling should add to the story. As an artiste, I would never say never. It all depends on the elements.
What does Nollywood lack from Hollywood?
Hollywood has a system and structure, but we do not. They have a distribution chain, agents, companies, managers and over 6,000 cinemas but we do not. They have proper schools to train actors. Those elements are missing here and we do not have enough of them. But there are people that are putting all those together, and with time, we would get there.
Have you experienced embarrassing moments with fans?
When people see me, they usually associate me with the character on television. They keep asking why I am bad and wicked, but I know that they know it was just a story. But I am not a bad person.
How would you describe your style?
Style is looking presentable and trendy without compromising your comfort; it is what makes you comfortable. I like to be extra comfortable. I like to look smart; I love fashion.
What are your exercise routines?
I try to live a healthy lifestyle, I try to eat healthy and work out when I have the time, at least three times in a week. I do a lot of cardio workouts and presses to burn off fat.
No comments:
Post a Comment