Why producers must embrace
young artistes – Ozi Ifeanyi
By DAMIETE BRAIDE
Friday, February 15, 2008
Upcoming actor, Ozi Ifeanyi Okoli, believes that producers
and directors should feature famous artistes alongside upcoming
ones in their movies rather than embrace the former at the
expence of the latter. Okoli, a graduate of Theatre Arts from
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa said that as a way of ensuring
steady growth in the movie industry, regular workshops, seminars
should be organized to inculcate new ideas in practitioners.
A native of Abraka Local government area of Anambra, Okoli
explained his foray into acting, his role models, and how
he comes about roles among others.
Foray into acting
I started acting as a member of the children’s department
of Assemblies of God Church. From there, I became one of the
pioneer members of Teen Television, with DBN Television. At
DBN, I came across Charles Novia, who advised me to study
Theatre Arts in the university after seeing my performance.
Thereafter, I decided to study Theatre Arts as he advised.
Debut movie
My first Nollywood movie was Pure Love in 2001. Thereafter,
I featured in other movies including Broken Angel, End of
Days 1 & 11, Choices, My Babies Daddy, The Head of State
and The White House. I equally featured in stage productions
such as Langbodo, Aetu, Beyond the Core, Eregele, Monologue
of the Drunken Masses etc.
Experiences on locations
My experiences on different locations depend on whom I work
it. Some locations thrive on fire-brigade work, while others
are handled with all the required professional procedure.
Getting roles
Occasionally, I attend auditions for movies or sitcoms. Sometimes,
producers or directors call me on phone for roles based on
my previous roles in other movies. A producer once called
me after he had done his audition, saying he wanted me to
act the role of an artiste from the Northern part of the country.
I went through the script and I doubted if I could play such
a role. So, I had to conduct a research on my own for two
weeks and at the end of the day, I was able to play the role
convincely. But for stage productions, I attend auditions
regularly.
Role model
My role model is Will Smith because of his musical and acting
talents. He is not restricted to a particular act because
he is versatile. Another role model is Denzel Washington who
is also a great actor. My Nigerian role models are Richard
Mofe Damijo (RMD), Emeka Ike, Mike Ezuronye, Ini Edo and Jenevieve
Nnaji. I admire the way these artistes interprete their roles
and I aspire to be like them.
Nollywood
Producers and directors should endeavour to make use of upcoming
artistes in their movies rather than depend mainly on renowned
artistes. In developed countries, younger artistes are featured
alongside the popular ones and some of them have won awards
for their roles. In Nigeria, producers should borrow a leaf
from their counterparts abroad by discovering new talents
and organising training workshops, seminars and conferences
for practitioners in the motion picture industry.
Message to fans
I do receive calls from people from different parts of the
country. Many of the fans call me Mallam Ali because of my
role in a comedy. Sometimes they ask me how I realise my roles
and I usually tell them that I always make use of every opportunity
I have. I also tell them that they are yet to see the best
of me and they should continue to support me and I would not
disappoint them.
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