Many actors and actresses who started without connections made many sacrifices, many succeed and yet some didn’t succeed. Such is the cost of being an actor.
I will be taking one from the three biggest movie industries in the world – Nigeria’s Nollywood. What does it take to become an actor here? What does it take to join Nollywood particularly?
Before thinking of How To Join Nollywood, these some of the things you must have in mind. The big deal about acting isn’t about having the dreams, it’s about getting into the groove.
World over, getting to establish oneself as an actor is not as easy as sitting in a cinema hall, watching another actor play his role in a block buster movie.
What's in this guide?
How To Join Nollywood As An Actor Or Actress
1. Ensure You Have Talent
What it takes to imitate a character perfectly is not usually picked from the street, it stems from inside you. And that’s the driving force of acting. It keeps pushing anyone who has it to display it.
This ability “Talent” is the criteria number one in pursuing a career in any movie industry. And Nollywood is not an exception.
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2. Develop Your Talent:
Acting is a versatile career. It involves doing things you were not born with, things obtainable thousands of miles away. Sometimes, it may be to speak another language, portray a foreign culture or a rude character (Villain).
Your ability to play the roles with ease and perfection makes you a talent. But one thing about talent is that, it needs development.
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3. Register In a Talent Agency
This part is very important to you remember that been an AGN member do not mean you can now act, it just mean that you a member of the association.
And according to AGN they do not give jobs or look for job for anyone so just like model they look for their agency in this case look for a director and register under his production so that whenever he has a job and they need other cast to fill in the role he chooses from his members so if you are not one he won’t matter how talented you are you may not be chosen for an important role.
There are lots of acting agencies in Lagos, make enquiries and find one to register with.
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This is part of the steps to becoming a Nigerian Nollywood actor or actress.
1. Comedy Talent
There’s a question you really need to answer while developing your talent. Am I better doing comedy? Humor has a big way of making people rich.
In fact, the richest actor in the world is a comedian. Therefore, determine what side of acting you really belong.
Start with what is available around you, it could be church, school or anywhere there is a drama role to play. Make sure you record most of it.
Remember, a whole lot of others are working to get the same role, and that’s why you need to work harder. A little edge you have over another person may be what the film director really needs.
You could join a talent hunt organization. Sometimes, producers and directors work with such organizations to get a suitable talent for a character.
2. Go For Auditions
Every movie has audition. It is through this practice that producers and directors get the best talents. So, look out for opportunities to test-play a role.
Producers always put words out whenever there is audition or when there is a need for fresh talents. Attend as many as possible, you will only need one movie, one role to make your mark.
The benefit of audition is that it helps you to get exposed to movie makers. And that’s multiple choice, in case this doesn’t work, you will get to know about another. Until you get a role, don’t stop.
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3. Move to a Big City
Some people advice that in order to become a Nigerian Nollywood actor or actress, that you should move to a big city like such as Lagos, Enugu, Asaba etc. because such cities makes it easier to get hold of the opportunities that you are looking for.
But that is not totally true although big cities like Lagos as more chances in becoming that movie star you want to, but you should know that not every actress or actor in such cities has the job.
The right thing is that be ready to move, when you get an opportunity to act and to attend an auditioning travel
Required Expectation After Joining Nollywood
Up coming actors earns up to N100,000 to N500,000 per role/movie while already established actors earn up to N5million. The earning is not exclusively through acting.
Actors earn more even from endorsement and sponsorship. Corporate organizations, business brands always use popular faces to market their products. And that means a great deal to you as an actor who knows his job, who people like.
Conclusion
Nollywood actors are becoming even more recognized in the international scene. Nigerian movies are now showcased at film festivals globally and winning several awards globally. If you become a Nollywood actor, you stand to enjoy many opportunities. Gone are the times when being a Nollywood actor was frowned upon. Becoming a Nollywood actor is fast becoming a sure path to career success and fulfillment. The National Bureau for Statistics as far back as 2004 reported that Nollywood employed over 250,000, contributing 1.4% to the GDP.
