Thread: Can you make it in Nollywood?

Good looking out bro', thanks. By the way, am looking forward to Fred's interview and details of his future cast calls.

THis wan mean say we when dey naija wen neva enta the industry still dey wahala to enta.

This is why I still call for help amongst you all at the top to encourage this up-coming stars to be. so that they will not be disapointed. let them (the movie makers) know it is not only about making money.
The song "we are the world" was not for money but for charity.
There can still be similar type of movies produced to boost up coming actors. Well it is just a suggestion oo.

I am still looking forward to making.
The truth of the matter is that if God is for you and he say you are a star, even the producers will find it difficult to refuse you. so life is jsut a game of chance and so is the movie industry. anyone wanting to come to nigeria should not be discouraged as it all lies in the hands of chance. give it a try and if you are not satisfied, quit. just as people are quitting out new people are coming in. such is life
Isiagware....YAAAH!

Hmm tough gamble on the part of them kids not going to school o.

Bros Sola oya e don reach time wey u go become producer/director everything o for our very own naijaamerican movie o

I am not trying to scare or discourage people o. I just want you to go with the hard facts. It has become just as tough as it is in Hollywood and Bollywood to crack Nollywood now. Everybody at home wants to become a star now. Many of them have as much talent as you do and they are just as good looking. And they will be waiting for you when you land.

Just be ready for a tough time. I am not saying you should not believe in God, but the other people also believe in the same God and I think in things like this, God stays out of it so as not to show favoritism. May the best and luckiest person triumph.

Be prepared because it is tough.

Another trick, of course, is to take maybe $10,000 home and approach a movie maker that you want to co-sponsor his movie. On one condition of course. You have to play a prominent supporting role. Don't try to play the lead or the movie might have problems with marketers. They don't like unknown faces. Play a supporting role. DOn't expect any money back from the filmmaker. Don't expect to get paid. That means you have bought the role, but if you pick a good script that gives your character presence and the viewers feel empathy and a connection, you don begin be dat. It becomes easier.

Just make sure the producer you pick NEVER tells anyone what you did. And make sure you really have talent so it will show and you will be able to carry on from there.

Originally posted by Sola
I am not trying to scare or discourage people o. I just want you to go with the hard facts. It has become just as tough as it is in Hollywood and Bollywood to crack Nollywood now. Everybody at home wants to become a star now. Many of them have as much talent as you do and they are just as good looking. And they will be waiting for you when you land.

Just be ready for a tough time. I am not saying you should not believe in God, but the other people also believe in the same God and I think in things like this, God stays out of it so as not to show favoritism. May the best and luckiest person triumph.

Be prepared because it is tough.

Another trick, of course, is to take maybe $10,000 home and approach a movie maker that you want to co-sponsor his movie. On one condition of course. You have to play a prominent supporting role. Don't try to play the lead or the movie might have problems with marketers. They don't like unknown faces. Play a supporting role. DOn't expect any money back from the filmmaker. Don't expect to get paid. That means you have bought the role, but if you pick a good script that gives your character presence and the viewers feel empathy and a connection, you don begin be dat. It becomes easier.

Just make sure the producer you pick NEVER tells anyone what you did. And make sure you really have talent so it will show and you will be able to carry on from there.

Good move,expensive but good

Originally posted by vince
Good move,expensive but good

What do you think Vince? Let's turn this thread into one for tips on how to make it as an actor in Nigeria - how to break in, especially if you're coming from abroad.

Khamileon, did you do the first thing up there? You just made your own movie and used it as a calling card? That's always a good one, but many people won't have any idea how to make a movie or who to contact.

People in the UK - what's going on there? Are people making Naija movies that you know? Any chance of you getting in?

We're so scattered in the US, and it is more difficult to do something. But things are happening quietly. Just do something, anything. That's the best advice. Don't go without money or a name. OR a major contact. But even major ontacts don't like casting people they are not sure of in their movies. I could recommend you to Zeb Ejiro or Chico or Charles Novia or Tade or TK or Fred Amata or Kingsley Ogoro or Simi Opeoluwa or a host of people I know well, but because I expect them to produce quality - and they know I will yab them nicely if they do nonsense, they will still test you like they will test everyone in an audition to see if you fit the role. If you don't, you will not get it. It has nothing to do with sentiments. I am professional and I expect them to also be very professional, our personal history aside. If you also go there when they don't have a project in the works, you could end up waiting a long time.

When you go home to try your hands in movies, also make sure you have adequate time. Don't expect miracles in 2 weeks. Tade has been shooting Dangerous Twins for at least 3 months now. That's the kind of person he is. He never shoots in a hurry. That's why his jobs stick out. Marketers never rush him because they know he will take his time on location and in post production.

Well, I will keep posting whatever idea I have to this thread. Good luck.

Originally posted by Sola
What do you think Vince? Let's turn this thread into one for tips on how to make it as an actor in Nigeria - how to break in, especially if you're coming from abroad.

Khamileon, did you do the first thing up there? You just made your own movie and used it as a calling card? That's always a good one, but many people won't have any idea how to make a movie or who to contact.

People in the UK - what's going on there? Are people making Naija movies that you know? Any chance of you getting in?

We're so scattered in the US, and it is more difficult to do something. But things are happening quietly. Just do something, anything. That's the best advice. Don't go without money or a name. OR a major contact. But even major ontacts don't like casting people they are not sure of in their movies. I could recommend you to Zeb Ejiro or Chico or Charles Novia or Tade or TK or Fred Amata or Kingsley Ogoro or Simi Opeoluwa or a host of people I know well, but because I expect them to produce quality - and they know I will yab them nicely if they do nonsense, they will still test you like they will test everyone in an audition to see if you fit the role. If you don't, you will not get it. It has nothing to do with sentiments. I am professional and I expect them to also be very professional, our personal history aside. If you also go there when they don't have a project in the works, you could end up waiting a long time.

When you go home to try your hands in movies, also make sure you have adequate time. Don't expect miracles in 2 weeks. Tade has been shooting Dangerous Twins for at least 3 months now. That's the kind of person he is. He never shoots in a hurry. That's why his jobs stick out. Marketers never rush him because they know he will take his time on location and in post production.

Well, I will keep posting whatever idea I have to this thread. Good luck.

You've said it all already,buddy.
It is a lot better to go home with a,should i say "portfolio",a kind of resume of what the actors/actress has done.
Of course a director would like to see your performance on screen and if you have a good and marketable presence on the screen.
They do take big risks when they take on new talents,so they gotta be 110% sure that the new talents will deliver.

Thanks Sola, and may I quickly add that all your efforts and endeavours on the site are very much appreciated. There are a good amount of producers and directors in the UK, as a matter of fact, I read a script last week, and would be going on location soon. Part of the movie will be shot in Nigeria, and i'm very much looking forward to it.

One question Sola/VInce, Does it implies that when one is with a script at least a good one he stands a better chance to be attended to or.....?

Interesting, i knew it wouldn't be easy

oh yea wat about script's? is it even harder or easier to get a producer in naija to actually read ur material?

Originally posted by miZZpaWPaw
oh yea wat about script's? is it even harder or easier to get a producer in naija to actually read ur material?

It could work either way with a script. Everyone is a scriptwriter now. Even a marketer who thinks up a five line storyline thinks he has written a script. And it is very easy to give someone your script, they read it and tell u they don't want it. Next thing you know, the story is out, rewritten - or just the title can be pilfered.

But if you have a GOOD script - (and good scripts are hard to write) - and you are lucky to find a good producer, there is hope. Half the time they think they can rewrite it better anyhow, so you have to end up sharing the credit as it will be rewritten.

As a writer, you have to win respect for yourself with the quality of your work, then they will start chasing you. That's how Kabat Esosa started. Today, he is a movie director himself. Make your work better than everything in the market. It is possible. Don't give it to the overnight producers. Find the old and tested ones who know what a good script should look like. And be ready to wait. I have had a script called Tomori with TK since 97. He has paid me for it and I have since spent the money, but he's yet to make it. I'm even thinking of buying it back. I wrote Festival of Fire for Chico. It was a bit too complex for his hurried style (many of them like the uncomplicated and easy to shoot). He paid me part of the money back then in 97, but still has not shot it. Instead, he used my title on another movie. I plan to buy that back too as soon as I can spend time chasing him. Ronnie Dikko wanted a script and I sent The Insiders from here. As usual, too challenging. And cos I'm not there in Naija, the money never got paid. I told my contact to get my script from her. He did not get back to me. Last time I went home in October, Reginald Ebere told me "Sola, I have one of your scripts. Don't ask me how I got it, but I love it and I want to produce it". Turned out to be The Insiders. I gave him the go-ahead. He has more credibility though. The Hand of God used to be titled normal People, one of my favorite stories. It was not supposed to have any religious stuff. It was just a look at how the society rejects the mentally incapacitated even when they get better. Francis Onwochei, producer of Raging Storm and Saving Alero wanted a script. I did it for him. They thought it was "too sad" cos it did not have a happy ending. I said life does not always have a happy ending. I rewrote from here once. They still felt funny. I gave them the go-ahead to rewriet the way they wanted and just give me story credit. They emailed me the rewrite. Crap. The movie came out last year. I hated it it. Still do. I rewrote Sergeant Okoro before I traveled in 97 for Opa. I got no credit in the movie. I also rewrote him what may be the most powerful war story that will come out of Nigeria called War Drums. It has not been done yet. Should I go on?

It is worse for a writer if you're not based in Nigeria to chase your story and ensure it is properly done. I don't sell a story unless I'm sure someone will do it well. The producer/director matters more to me than the money. I put my name only on quality or I don't at all.

Hope dey sha. Just get it into the hands of a good producer, knowing he gets a lot of them and will take a while to read it. Some have assistants who filter scripts that come in so they read only the best handful.

Originally posted by mcallstar
One question Sola/VInce, Does it implies that when one is with a script at least a good one he stands a better chance to be attended to or.....?

A very good script and your own production money will help a great deal.
If you don't have the cash,then you will have to rely solely on the quality of your script,the concept has to be above the norm,and then you can approach top producers or directors with it and things can move from there.
Sola has expansiated on it extensively already anyway.

Just a quick thought: As a writer or actor or anything, never compromise when it comes to the quality of your work. Why? Because your work will get into many places before you even reach the door. People will see your work and judge you long before they meet you. so anytime you have to act, do the best for the role, no matter how small. Write the script so well they keep saying can you get me the writer of that script. It takes a combination of talent, discipline, hardwork and dedication. Don't forget this saying:

Greatness is developed when nobody is looking. It does not happen on a stage. Nobody applauds during practice. There are no awards given during preparation. But without practice, without preparation, there can be no victory. Greatness, fulfillment, success is found in those patient moments spent alone. Working. Thinking. Praying...Putting in extra hours...when nobody is looking... - Unknown