Fast
Rising Nigerian Actresss PATIENCE UFEDOEYONOJO JAMES also known as "
SURULERE has been a face that people always look out for in the
Nigerian Movie and TV industry. In this exclusive
interview
with nollywoodportal.com she shares insider details on how to break into the
movie industry and also gives us a peep into her career.
What point in your life did you decide you wanted to be an actress?
I
decided to be an actress when everyone I came across would say I could
do it and i thought to try it. I got an opportunity to play a minor role
as a nurse and the encouragement and feed back I got made me audition
for a role in Andy Amanechi’s COURAGE and I got the part, Then I
decided to work on my craft and I learnt on the job as one of Emem
Isong’s first set of students, here we are today.
How did you break into the biz?
Breaking into the business for me was through auditions and referrals basically by my very good friend EBUBE NWAGBO.
What challenges does an upcoming actor/actress face?
Challenges
faced by up and coming talents in the business varies but majorly every
up and coming actor find it hard to get an opportunity of a leading
role in a movie because investors and
producers fear making their money back since Nigerians hardly want to
see a new face they don’t know in movies, so it’s always a challenge for
up and coming acts to find that major break out opportunity.
What steps would they take to get their foot in the door?
As
a new talent trying to get their foot in the door, they need a lot of
hard work, good character, self discipline, consistence, prayers and
humility.
I know filming can be hectic,, how long does it take to shoot a movie?
Ideally
it takes an average of 25/30days to film a standard cine craft movie,
depending on the logistics and production designing But our budget
doesn’t permit us that luxury all the time so we sometimes have to work
with producers that film a movie in less than 3weeks.
How do you know what directors to work with?
Knowing
what director to work with for me sometimes is based on whoever my
producer contracts as the director but I have a bucket list for
directors so I mostly
consider that when taking scripts.
Is the industry more of a hustle to get roles thing or do you get scripts sent to you?
The
industry is in both ways, you need to go out and audition for parts to
get roles until you start getting scripts sent to you, meanwhile
sometimes when you get the script sent to you, you still would have to audition/read for the part before getting the role.
What is the best way to achieve success in the Nigerian Movie industry?
The best way to achieve success in the Nigeria movie industry is through fervent prayers, patience and hard work.
What movie was the most challenging to film?
I
have more than one movie it was a challenge to film and the challenges
differ so I really can’t say which is most challenging right now.
What movie did you have the most fun on set?
So far, I had most fun on set while filming Andy Amanechi’s ‘COURAGE’.
Advice for upcoming actors and actresses?
My
Advise for up and coming actors both male and female is please be
talented and have a good character, know and work on your craft, always
be ready for that opportunity, be very humble
and disciplined, know what you want and go for it, get a lawyer (lol)
and most importantly Pray for God’s grace.
