Rita Okoye
Currently on the set of her maiden TV series, It’s A Crazy World, Amanda Ebeye, says she’s ready to do anything to protect her son. Among others, the Delta State-born filmmaker also shares her worries and challenges on film production, child adoption and lots more.
It’s A Crazy World, why did you opt for that title for your TV series?
That’s because of the content. It’s A Crazy World is a comedy series. It x-rays the competition women face alongside their struggles. It’s funny and at the same time, there’s much to learn from it because it touches every aspect of life. At first, I wanted to call it The Wives but there are lots of movies with similar titles.
What’s It’s A Crazy World all about?
It’s A Crazy World tackles issues revolving around social media. We are trying to expose the vices on social media. It’s unarguable that it has made people rich, changed lives and connected people. However, there is a flip side. It has destroyed lots of people. People get intimidated and depressed over the fine pictures they see on social media.
So, It’s A Crazy World is designed to expose what happens on social media. It reveals the sad truth behind all those lovely and smiling faces you see on social media.
Why did you decide to go into production?
I told myself a long time ago that I didn’t just want to be an actress and that’s because no matter how much you act, you can’t be richer than your producer. So, I went back to the drawing board. That’s why I’m now an actress, producer and filmmaker.
Now that you’ve taken a huge step into filmmaking, is it over for you for Asaba movie roles?
Well, its not over for me. I just like following my life step by step. I plan my life but sometimes. you see yourself doing what you had planned never to do again. But right now, I have the right to tell my own stories the way I want them to be. I still like Asaba so I’m not saying never to anything; that’s still where the money is made.
What are the challenges of being a first time TV producer?
Bugget, that’s my biggest challenge. And then we also have the light situation. We’re shooting for 30 days and when I went to make inquiries to rent cameras and lights, the amount I was told was so shocking I had to start buying my own equipment to add to the ones I already had. Feeding was also a challenge. Feeding the cast and crew for that number of days was not easy.
What of your son, how do you create time for him?
My son is not here. My mom went to Canada to stay with him.
What would you say is the proudest thing you have done for yourself?
My son is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. That’s the only thing I can’t regret. The only person I can’t trade-off for anything in the world. I can trade this production if push comes to shove (laughter). But my son? never!
What is that one thing you can’t wait to tell your son?
I tell him I love him everyday. But on a deeper level, I can’t wait to tell him that no matter what he does, he would get married someday so he should always have a place in his heart for me. I pray everyday that my daughter-in-law would be good to me. I just don’t want anyone to turn my son away from me.
Are you scared that one day, a lady would come and take your son away?
I get scared of that all the time but people tell me that I should try having another child.
So, when are you having more kids?
I’m not a regular everyday girl. My dreams and aspirations are different. What other women may be aspiring to may not be what I’d want to become. Talking about kids, I really don’t think I want all my children to come from me. However, let’s see what happens in the nearest future. I want to adopt. Right from when I was much younger, I dreamed of the day I’d be able to say this; that I want to adopt kids. I look at those kids that don’t have parents and I keep wondering why we have to keep making kids when there are already lots of kids out there to take care of. Adoption is more of a priority than giving birth to my biological children.
What kind of roles do you play now at this stage of your career?
I play all roles but I can’t go nude; I can’t bare it all.
Any regrets regarding some roles you played at the beginning of your career?
There are lots of them; I can count. Back then we all wanted to be popular so we could pay our bills hence we just picked any role that came along.
That’s why I tell people, don’t let this industry pressurise you into doing what you don’t want to do. There are movies I did back then that if you bring the same scripts to me now, I’ll turn them down outrightly!