A star and household name is asked by a friend to come for an audition. So she goes with a big bag of clothes, because, naturally, it should be a lead role. But she gets there and is told she will only be in two scenes. The fee? N3,000. She is so humiliated she can't hide the tears.
Like a movie script
Fast forward by a few years and that has-been is now the rave of the moment. Funke Akindele's personal story reads like a movie script. "When I look back today," she said recently in an interview, while on location, "I say God I thank you."
Before she became Jenifa the phenomenon, there was Bisi the phenomenon. Bisi was the lead character in the UNFPA-sponsored family television series called ‘I Need to Know', which was immensely popular. The series was shown on the NTA network and syndicated across the country for four years.After the series ended, movie stardom should have been a cakewalk. But the Nigeria movie and television industries are unlike those in Hollywood; Akindele was a star but she couldn't find work. She had to start afresh.
She began to go "from audition to audition," so broke was she sometimes that her mother had to drive her to the auditions. Still, save for ‘Egg of Life' and ‘Prison of Passion' where she got minor roles, she wasn't making any headway. She was almost forced to stoop to begging for roles."You can't rely on people," the 31-year-old said from experience. "I trusted people a lot and at the end of the day, I got heartbroken. So these days, I expect anything from anybody. That is the biggest lesson that life has taught me."
One can understand this from a woman who wept inside toilets and danfo buses because every door to stardom seemed jammed. "I remember Tayo Odueke (aka Sikiratu Sindodo) coming to meet me and saying ‘Funke stop crying, one day we will make it.'"That day came. Many auditions later, Funke made the hard decision to move over to Yoruba movies. And like a magic slipper, her fortunes changed.
Runaway success
In 2008, her movie, Jenifa - on the escapades of a village girl (Sulia aka Jenifa) desperate to make it big in the city - became such a crossover hit within weeks of release that it has become a cultural phenomenon, considered the highest selling movie in Nollywood."I didn't expect this level of success, I must tell you," she said. "My mother always advised me to do anything I am doing very well; there is no telling which will take you up there. So yes, I give acting and script-writing my all, but I must confess I didn't expect to be this big. What I intended to do with Jenifa was pass a message, especially to the young ladies out there. We obviously made a bigger impact."
Bigger impact is quite an understatement. Words and phrases from the movie - ‘gbogo bigs gelz', ‘my parry', ‘yelz' ‘Sulia Kan, Ayetoro Kan', ‘Don jazzy e' and others - have become a strong part of pop culture lexicon, Ms. Akindele is now possibly the most recognisable actress in Nigeria, and has won a string of accolades including: Actor of the Year 2009 (The Future Awards), Actress of the Year 2009 (AMAA Awards), Best Actress of the Year 2008(City People); not to mention a lucrative telecoms ambassadorship deal running into millions of naira.
Full-on Jenifa
She never tires of the feedback from the character. "No. I am loving it the more," she insists. "In fact, I try to create new things out of the character. The movie really changed my life, so I cannot be tired." Some of the new ‘things' she is creating are "The Return of Jenifa"; and a movie with that other famous comedy character, ‘Osuofia' - to be produced by Kingsley Ogoro. Other plans include full-on Jenifa branding and merchandising - ‘Jenifa' wigs, hair extensions, baseball caps, handbags, purses; ‘bigz boy' chains, shirts and others.
However, there is still a breadth of difference between Funke and Sulia. One is a crass wannabe with few values, the other an urbane law graduate with sound diction. "Sometimes, people always want me to be Jenifa," she says. "Some are even surprised when I talk off the screen. They keep on asking, ‘is she really posh?' They find it hard to believe that am not the village girl, Sulia. I handle them well. I try to be nice and smile. I also crack jokes for them with the Sulia accent."
The actress went out of her way to get that accent right. She had to go down to ‘bukas' (local restaurants) in Ibadan, Osogbo and Ilorin to see ‘local girls' and hear how they pronounce things like ‘big girl', how they paint their faces and what she called "their brand of self confidence".
A brand of self confidence
Her own brand of confidence comes from a string of degrees including an OND in Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polytechnic, as well as a law degree from the University of Lagos. But "acting has always been my first love. I love acting. It's a talent given to me by God."An actor, producer and director, she has so far acted in Yoruba and English language movies totalling 50 - including the multi million naira epic movie, Apaadi (Seal), in which she was lead actress and producer, working with a cast of over 200.
Whilst she calls producing Jenifa the highlight of her career, she is already focused on her next major projects - two dance movies called "Dasofunjo" and "My Choice" - in which she wants to have stars like Genevieve Nnaji. She doesn't have the money yet - but she knows she will do it."I tell younger actresses that Rome was not built in a day," she said. "Acting for instance; you shouldn't want to act because Funke Akindele is acting and is making money. Keep doing it even when you are not getting the roles. When they see you are focused and when you are prayerful too, you will get your chance."
And, of course, she knows what she's talking about.
Story by http://nigeriafilms.com
Association of Movie Producers (AMP) in collaboration with the Lagos State government have, come up with what will henceforth be known as the AMP/Eko International Film Festival. The body powering and packaging the festival, tagged “Film, The Catalyst For Change: Positive,” at the The National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos from November 24 to 27.
Speaking on the objectives of the festival, Paul Obazele, the national president of the, AMP said that it would definitely bring about behavioural change, with respect to motion picture issues: “Especially, the micro issues in motion picture, distributing and marketing.
It will also help to effectively communicate film values and its impact on our tradition. It will assist immensely in the dissemination of information on emerging and new technologies that would ensure effective piracy management. It will also be a medium for operators in the film industry to promote their products and services. The festival will create employment opportunities for the youths”, he said.
While shedding more light on the motivating factors behind the coming festival, the Chairman of its Business Committee section, Mr. Fred Amata, explained that the absence of any such festival that promotes the culture and values of the people of Lagos, to the outside world, through Nollywood, was one of the reasons for their coming on board.
He further added that the growing awareness about Nollywood and its effect on the image of Nigeria to the outside world was another motivating factor. “You cannot rule out the importance of film, in the re-branding of Nigeria.Again, the prevalence of HIV infection, unhygienic practices and moral decadence among youths, can be reduced through films, which is a vehicle for communication and change,” explained Amata, a leading actor/filmmaker in Nollywood.
Also speaking, Mr. Emeka Ossai, a top actor and the Chairman of the Media Committee of the festival, disclosed that it would run for four days.As it will involve issues of interest, spotlights, interviews, presentations, movie screenings, awards and many more while the language of communication is English and Yoruba, so as to reach majority of the audience that will be attending”, Ossai stated.
As Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria (MORGON), endorsed their support for the forthcoming festival, which is currently serenading Tinsel town.
Culled :This daynewspaper
With the incessant kidnappings recorded in the South-East in general, entertainment practitioners all over the state are now turning down offers to come and perform at concerts and shows in the region. This is coming on the heels of the latest kidnapping of ace-actor, Nkem Owo a.k.a Osuofia last week by unknown persons in Anambra State, but was freed at the weekend. The state however, is fast becoming a kidnappers haven given the high calibre of personalities seized so far in the latest money spinning criminal venture.
Not only is the trend affecting the music industry who are yet to record any victim, many Nollywood actors and actresses are now having a rethink on shootings on locations in the region after the news of Osuofia's confiscation was broken.With the Yuletide season is around the corner, South East dwellers may be witnessing celebrations without any physical appearance of artistes, as many industry watchers are afraid that the kidnappers searchlights will soon be beamed at musicians as a result of their many Bling Bling nature expressed on screen.
The Nigeria Movie Industry, is one of the thriving sector of the Entertainment industry. However, with the influx of new movie artistes and the problem of piracy which is prevalent in this make-believe industry, a lot of movie stars have diversifies into other areas of business to complement their acting careers. NONYEM ANYAKWO in this report unveils the stars who are into other businesses.
PATIENCE OZOKWOR
Popularly known as Mama G Patience Ozokwor is a multi-talented actress who has carved a niche for herself in the movie industry. She launched into the music scene with her debut album titled “Make We Jolly”. Apart from acting and music, Mama G also owns the hottest fast food joint called “Wendy” at Ngwo in Enugu State.
GENEVIEVE NNAJI
Star actress Genevieve is one of the highly celebrated actresses. The talented and pretty screen diva was selected Africa's Most Famous Actress at the recent Oprah Winfrey Show tagged, “Most famous people in the world”. She is also musician and owns a fashion label called St. Genevieve. The dark complexioned mother of one is a renowned model who has done so many jobs, including Face of Lux. She has indeed carved a niche for herself.
OMONI OBOLI
Omoni, no doubt, is a super star who has done so well for herself before relocating to London to raise her family. Presently, this chocolate skinned actress is back full time and has been hitting it big with lead roles. Apart from her acting career, she is also a compere.
SHAN GEORGE
This Edema, Cross River State born actress is unarguably one of the highly controversial actresses in Nollywood. She made a big statement in the industry in the movie, Outcast many years back and since then, her career has been on the rise. Despite her achievements in the industry, she also owns a fashion house which she combines with her acting career.
KATE HENSHAW-NUTIAL
Apart from being a renowned actress, Kate, the beautiful mother of one is also a model and a TV presenter. This Cross River State born multi-talented star who has fetured in so many movies, is now the Face of Onga seasoning.
OMOTOLA JALADE EKEIDE
Award winning actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, popularly known as Omo Sexy is also a PR Consultant and a musician. This mother of four who is endowed with a good height and figure, is another actress who has made a great impact in the movie industry.
ENIOLA BADMUS
Popular Yoruba actress, Eniola Badmus was shot to limelight by her role in the blockbuster movie, Jenifa. She made her entry into the movie industry 11 years ago with the movie, “Brutal Times” and ever since, she has featured in several English and Yoruba Movies. Asides acting, she is also a compere and presenter with Excite TV.
EUCHARIA ANUNOBI
UK as she is fondly called by friends and colleagues, started off
as a model when she was still an English Language undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A divorcee and mother of one, the light-complexioned pretty movie star has featured in so many movies. Apart from being a Nollywood star, this tall and bulky actress also owns an outfit that deals in the supply of frozen foods.
CHIKA IKE
Beautiful, charming and unassuming actress, Chika Ike has had a steady rising career in Nollywood. The pretty actress is one of the hot Nollywood faces, as she has featured in lots of block buster movies. Asides acting, the Human Kinetics undergraduate of University of Lagos also owns a restaurant.
MONALISA CHINDA
She is one actress who has eared her place in the Movie Industry through hardwork. This pretty screen diva whose marriage to Dejo Richards just broke up, came to limelight in 1996, when she featured in the flick. Pregnant Virgin, as an undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt. She is presently one of the Nollywood Glo Ambassadors. She also owns a restaurant.
NDIDI OBI
She is of the long serving actresses in the Nigerian movie industry. She came to limelight with her first movie, Nneka The pretty Serpent. Apart from acting, Ndidi is a model and a business woman. She deals in the importation of Solar chargers.
UFUOMA EJENOBOR
This beautiful actress who sings with the masked musician, Lagbaja is not just and actress and singer, she is also a super model who has carved a niche for herself in her chosen career
BUKKY WRIGHT
Despite her immense contribution to the growth of the industry and her numerous achievements, this charming and elegant actress, Bukky Wright recently launched her fashion label “Wright Affairs”. She also owns a boutique in Lagos. This light skinned and versatile actress is a mother of two.
STELLA DAMASUS
Pretty actress and a mother of two, Stella Damasus is household name in the industry. Apart from acting, the talented actress who recently got married 4 years after the death of her first husband, is also a musician and a Master of Ceremony.
FUNLOLA AOFIYEBI-RAIMI
She is an acclaimed actress, TV and radio presenter, show compere and entrepreneur all rolled into one. The talented artiste is indeed doing well as an on air personality, despite her acting career which is now spanning over s decade.
BIMB AKINTOLA
For the busty and talented actress, Bimbo Akintola, she is another good compere at events. The talented actress who has been in the movie industry for quite a long time, has featured in so many block buster movies, one of which is Circle of Three produced by her.
Story by http://nigeriafilms.com
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