Orji to boost Uganda’s film industry
NIGERIAN movie star, <b>Zack Orji</b>, last week selected over 100 Ugandan actors who will feature in a future collaborative movie. <b>Jude Katende</b> and <B>Miles Rwamiti </B>talked to him about his achievements and plans. Below are the excerpts:
NIGERIAN movie star, Zack Orji, last week selected over 100 Ugandan actors who will feature in a future collaborative movie. Jude Katende and Miles Rwamiti talked to him about his achievements and plans. Below are the excerpts:
Tell us about your background.
I am an actor and a filmmaker. I am in my forties, married and very spiritual. I believe I am where God has gifted me to be in order to impact on people positively. I studied stage management in the University of Nigeria. Because of films, I have been to USA, UK, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, now Uganda and will be in Ethiopia soon.
Why did you come to Uganda?
I came to Uganda to conduct auditions for actors whom we will work with to shoot a collaborative movie in future.
Who will fund that movie?
Paragon Promoters is behind all this. We have no support from government or NGOs.
Why did you choose Uganda?
We want to involve other Africans countries in the movie industry. The movies we churn out contribute to our national economy. Many people are employed in this industry in Nigeria. Movies can boost Uganda’s economy.
What is the movie’s storyline?
I would like to do topical issues, but we will sort out the material from the scripts we have. We haven’t yet decided what to go with although personally, I like things that touch people, topics like HIV/AIDS.
Will anyone from your family take after you?
My wife, Ngozi Orji, is an actress and has featured in about four films. She is also a costume designer. My son, 14, acted for a while, but I told him to finish his studies first. My two daughters are too young to act.
For how long have been acting?
I have been acting for 13 years.
How can Ugandan actors promote the movie industry?
The industry needs continuity to succeed. If Ugandans don’t support promoters like Paragon, then it will be a lukewarm thing. In states like Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, we release 10 films every week and that is how we sustain the industry.
What does one need to shoot a film?
There should be capital and a good distribution network to market the films.
Ugandan artistes have been largely hampered by lack of copyright law. What is the situation in Nigeria?
We are surviving amidst piracy. Whatever piracy Uganda has, is not even 10% of what is in Nigeria. Advanced countries also face piracy, but their stringent laws keep the vice checked.
What is your favourite movie?
My favourite movie is one of those I wrote and directed. It’s called “Return to Kazunia†it was shot in Jos in 1997.
Where do you draw your inspirations?
In films, you create an utopia-like situation to bring out what people should aspire for. You do what people should look forward to doing.
Do you choose your roles?
Sometimes choose roles but sometimes I don’t. I also turn down some roles. Every role is challenging. In my latest film, I am playing an unpleasant role depicting guys who practice anal sex. This is real in Nigeria and else where in the world.
Some critics say Nollywood produces cheap and predictable movies, what is your comment?
Consumers decide the quality of the movie and whether to buy it or not. Once you have the money, you shoot the film, but it must meet certain standards.
How long does it take to shoot a movie in Nigeria?
Shooting films takes about two weeks although other genres’ duration is relative. Other factors like budget and duration of the film, whether it would be a documentary, feature, or comedy or whether it would be shot on film or video with a playback to see what you just acted, also count.
Over the years, you have grown into a star because of your acting capabilities. How did you achieve this?
Nigerians shoot movies like no man in the world. We churn out movies quickly, which gives you adaptation to professionalism. As we shot more movies, I became professional. I learnt mannerisms, gestures, eye contact, lines, modulation and several other things that makes a good actor.
Which Nigerian actor would you like to work with?
There is a boy who is more of a brother to me. His name is Olu Jacobs.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Wow! I don’t know. I will be in Hollywood. I am actually going there in the third week of February for an international production. I have already received the script of the film that will be shot in Hollywood and Los Angeles.
I would like to see myself in many international films, but I still have to come back home where I belong.
Any idols from Hollywood?
I admire Clint Eastwood and Denzel Washington.
Tell us about your background.
I am an actor and a filmmaker. I am in my forties, married and very spiritual. I believe I am where God has gifted me to be in order to impact on people positively. I studied stage management in the University of Nigeria. Because of films, I have been to USA, UK, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, now Uganda and will be in Ethiopia soon.
Why did you come to Uganda?
I came to Uganda to conduct auditions for actors whom we will work with to shoot a collaborative movie in future.
Who will fund that movie?
Paragon Promoters is behind all this. We have no support from government or NGOs.
Why did you choose Uganda?
We want to involve other Africans countries in the movie industry. The movies we churn out contribute to our national economy. Many people are employed in this industry in Nigeria. Movies can boost Uganda’s economy.
What is the movie’s storyline?
I would like to do topical issues, but we will sort out the material from the scripts we have. We haven’t yet decided what to go with although personally, I like things that touch people, topics like HIV/AIDS.
Will anyone from your family take after you?
My wife, Ngozi Orji, is an actress and has featured in about four films. She is also a costume designer. My son, 14, acted for a while, but I told him to finish his studies first. My two daughters are too young to act.
For how long have been acting?
I have been acting for 13 years.
How can Ugandan actors promote the movie industry?
The industry needs continuity to succeed. If Ugandans don’t support promoters like Paragon, then it will be a lukewarm thing. In states like Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, we release 10 films every week and that is how we sustain the industry.
What does one need to shoot a film?
There should be capital and a good distribution network to market the films.
Ugandan artistes have been largely hampered by lack of copyright law. What is the situation in Nigeria?
We are surviving amidst piracy. Whatever piracy Uganda has, is not even 10% of what is in Nigeria. Advanced countries also face piracy, but their stringent laws keep the vice checked.
What is your favourite movie?
My favourite movie is one of those I wrote and directed. It’s called “Return to Kazunia†it was shot in Jos in 1997.
Where do you draw your inspirations?
In films, you create an utopia-like situation to bring out what people should aspire for. You do what people should look forward to doing.
Do you choose your roles?
Sometimes choose roles but sometimes I don’t. I also turn down some roles. Every role is challenging. In my latest film, I am playing an unpleasant role depicting guys who practice anal sex. This is real in Nigeria and else where in the world.
Some critics say Nollywood produces cheap and predictable movies, what is your comment?
Consumers decide the quality of the movie and whether to buy it or not. Once you have the money, you shoot the film, but it must meet certain standards.
How long does it take to shoot a movie in Nigeria?
Shooting films takes about two weeks although other genres’ duration is relative. Other factors like budget and duration of the film, whether it would be a documentary, feature, or comedy or whether it would be shot on film or video with a playback to see what you just acted, also count.
Over the years, you have grown into a star because of your acting capabilities. How did you achieve this?
Nigerians shoot movies like no man in the world. We churn out movies quickly, which gives you adaptation to professionalism. As we shot more movies, I became professional. I learnt mannerisms, gestures, eye contact, lines, modulation and several other things that makes a good actor.
Which Nigerian actor would you like to work with?
There is a boy who is more of a brother to me. His name is Olu Jacobs.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Wow! I don’t know. I will be in Hollywood. I am actually going there in the third week of February for an international production. I have already received the script of the film that will be shot in Hollywood and Los Angeles.
I would like to see myself in many international films, but I still have to come back home where I belong.
Any idols from Hollywood?
I admire Clint Eastwood and Denzel Washington.