Nigerian Movie Star Profile
You are a movie director.
Yes, but as a director you do not limit your responsibilities to directing
alone. You also try to lift up the industry, you have to do more. You have
to learn how to perfect a lot of things like: writing, producing and editing
among others. A director must be observant, human and focused.
Sometimes, the director isn’t even invited to the script conference where
the cast is selected. That is so wrong because the director has a hand at
all of the ingredients that have to blend into the process of making the
movie.
The director sees the script beyond the eyes of the producer. He’s the link
between all parties and the producer and he must make sure that the cast is
made of properly selected professionals.
Was your family supportive in the beginning?
For a long time, I performed for the State Government without pay, my
parents didn’t take that very well as it seemed to them that I was wasting
my time and my energy.
I was stubborn and went on against their will. My first appearance in a
movie was a small part in Igbudu part 2 in 1996 and that was when my dream
started materializing. It really was my breakthrough.
How many movies do you have to your credit?
I have produced about 125 movies, among others I wrote Aguba Igogoro, Lady
Bianca and Okada Man.
I directed Sister Mary and The Billionaires Club.
Who’s your favourite actor?
Richard Mofe-Damijo. He’s educated and always aspires to be the best.
How do you deal with criticism?
It helps a professional grow. The press speaks most times for the audience
and so you have to learn from your mistakes. This industry is about the
survival of the fittest and production rates are frantic.
It’s not really about how many movies you produce a year, it has to do with
the quality of the product you put out in the market.
How about the shortage of creativity in Nollywood?
It depends on the individuals you’re dealing with. Half of the directors
working out there are not qualified for the job, they just happened to get
the right opportunity.
Some of them can not even correct an actor on the set because they don’t
know their job.
How can that situation be remedied to?
The Censor Board has to review their records and make sure that the only
directors allowed to take up assignments are Guild members.
The blame also lies on the side of the actors, some are so greedy to make
money, they don’t control if the guy on the job is registered with the
Guild.
And those adventurers are the ones producing bad movies because they don’t
care about the standards of good movie making.
Why aren’t Nigerian movies made for the big screen?
The investments from the marketers who are also producers are the problem.
They are on a budget and must look at their expenses to make sure they
recoup their investment.
What are the tasks of a producer?
A producer is a very busy person. He’s a manager, he’s seeking up marketers
for sponsorships, he decides who’s involved in the project, he chooses the
director, he finds the executive producer who will carry the expenses and he
makes sure the right cast is involved in the project.
Give us an example of production costs?
The quality of a movie depends a lot on the importance of the funds you
bring in. For instance, renting a mansion costs on average N 30.000 a day
and the same goes for a luxury car. The salary of the actors depends on the
class they are in.
You have made a specialty of fact-based dramas and tragedies.
Life is bigger than fiction, that’s why I am always very interested in
incidents, occurrences, and life experiences. The storyline in “Billionaires
Club” actually happened to a friend of mine and “Occultic Kingdom” was
based on the testimony of someone who went through those awful events.
Let’s talk about the “Billionaires
Club”
It was my baptism of fire and my biggest project ever. Experienced and
seasoned directors were pleading and lobbying to handle the project while I
hardly had any experience in the field.
On the set, not only I was the youngest professional, but it was also an
all-star cast. It wasn’t easy at all. Being conscious of my own shortages, I
diligently let everyone contribute to my work and made corrections where
they were needed.
Because I was so focused, my fears quickly disappeared as the actors
encouraged me in my work.
The only dark cloud on that extraordinary adventure was that I lost a
brother on the eve of the release of the movie in a car accident.
“Heavy Rain”
was a resounding success as well. When can we expect part 2?
Very soon. There is at present time a problem with the marketers. Otherwise,
the story is ready and I can confidently say that it is a bomb! It’s much
better than part 1 and it is also a fact-based drama.
What about “GSM Wahala”?
When the mobile phone was introduced in Nigeria, many people went literally
crazy!
I recall visiting Kumasi, Ghana, and a woman frying plantain on the side of
the road was also having a mobile phone. The scene in which a stolen gsm
rings in somebody’s purse while the owner is looking for it actually
happened in a taxi I was in!
Tell us about “Sister Mary”.
It is also a fact-based tragedy, but we also added a part of fiction. The
background of the story is fictional, but the facts are real. To this date,
the place of her burial is a favourite spot for pilgrims who get miracles on
a daily basis by praying there.
Oge Okoye did a great job as Sister Mary.
It was her breakthrough, she was still unknown before that part. She always
mentions that fact in all her interviews. There was a lot of work involved
for her to grow into the character and she was very grateful for the part.
Tell us about “Aguba Igogoro”
That was also a great enterprise. Patience Ozokwor worked hard to get into
the character and there is a huge physical resemblance between the both of
them.
She had to learn how to bike and use a sword, how to walk and talk like the
character. Aguba is still a sensitive character amongst the descendants of
the people she ruled so ruthlessly, so we did our job carefully trying not
to offend anybody.
The elderly who have been narrated the story of this extraordinary woman
saluted our work. We came very close to the nature of the real character.
It also was the first movie I produced with my own money, I paid the actors
and also for the entire project. Because of that, the marketers refused to
promote it. Although the movie bought me my first car and a duplex, I lost a
lot of money because of the conflict with the marketers.
What is your best work?
The “Billionaires Club” without the shadow of a doubt.
What is your worst achievement?
“Return of Yesterday”, it was not properly handled. And also “High Class”
with Franca Brown, even though I wrote, produced and played in the movie.
Are you a rich man?
We don’t earn so much money, that’s why I want to go abroad and perfect my
craft.
How do you cope with female attention?
I value the appreciation I get for my work. I am a family man. My wife is
very understanding and I remain faithful to the trust she has in me.
Tell us about the ghastly accident that almost cost you a hand a few
years back.
It happened during the production of “Last Command” with Chiege Alisigwe and
Emeka Ike. The driver of the car I was in lost control of the vehicle in a
sharp bend and I was ejected from the car before it crashed. My hand was
broken in two places and I was left unconscious on the premises.
I was later driven to a nearby hospital and was abandoned there. I spent 5
long months in that place. The press printed out all kind of lies about my
condition, but nobody ever bothered to check up on me.
A doctor brought me the news that my hand was lost and required amputation,
the date and time for the amputation was set.
I just sat there crying my eyes out in deep despair when another doctor
walked in and asked what the matter was. I explained, he looked at my hand,
recommended surgery instead and saved my hand!
The good side of all this tragedy is that I had a lot of time to think all
by myself in that place and I conceived many storylines. In that sense, I
really appreciated the time I spent there.
You were also attacked by armed robbers!
I have been attacked 3 times! The first time, they took my phone and broke
my teeth with their gun.
A couple of weeks ago, my car broke down on my way to a party I was supposed
to emcee and I was the guest of honour.
I took a bus further not knowing that there were armed robbers amongst the
passengers. One of them made a call, a Mercedes appeared out of nowhere and
parked in front of the bus forcing it to stop. They started shooting in the
air, took all of us to a nearby bush and stole all of our possessions. They
even shot a woman.
What about the Award system in Nigeria?
The Award system is more inclined to reward friendships and personal
connections than actual talent.
How can the industry be improved?
Individuals must come and invest, the poor quality is due to the lack of
finances. This is an enduring problem. We need support and encouragements.
Your advice to upcoming directors.
You have to go through what it takes to get the right qualifications and
training.
Thank you for your time.
It was my pleasure. Anytime.
Tel:571-247-2679 email:contact@nigeriamovies.net
