Omoye Uzamere is an actor, producer and director. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she takes you into her world, projects, mentors, inspiration and joining a drama group in the university as a Law student.
How did you get into acting?
I was always acting… Some of my earliest memories are of me performing, from entertaining guests at our house, to drama, dance and music activities at church. So when I got into the university it was only natural that I joined a drama group, even though I was studying Law, and I threw myself into the creative process –improv, scripting, workshops, producing… it was a package deal and it was my happy place. I later joined another drama group, Oracles Artworld and in 2007, we did a big production featuring Alex Usifo, Joke Silva and a number of now recognisable industry names; Michael Asuelime, Theo Ukpaa, Uche Ekilisie-Uzor… How we’ve all grown! Anyway, Auntie Joke and I connected on that project and she encouraged my talent, advising me that training would sharpen my senses… Working with her basically showed me that living and working as an actor was possible. Two years later, I quit my 9-5, moved to Lagos and enrolled at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts – pioneer set – earning myself a national diploma. Auntie J was my first teacher, in the classroom and in the workplace, my boss and mentor. She taught me well… and I guess the rest is history.
What was your first audition like?
I hardly remember my very first audition, but one major audition was for AMBO 2005. We were auditioned in batches of 5 and given an improv scenario. I fell to the ground, fake crying and shouting out whatever words came out of my mouth… (haha!!) I remember seeing Sam Dede mentally excuse himself… the fact that I could even notice that says something. lol. The experience made me decide to get proper training. I didn’t want to be this eager, passionate person who didn’t really know the work, or show up to the larger industry wanting to take all the time. I wanted to show up to the party with something to offer, to contribute value to the industry just by being there.
What are some of the memorable experiences in the sector?
Every single project is memorable, either because I discovered a side to my creativity or character or because I learned a valuable life or career lesson. I’ll share a few…
Producing the Lagos Theatre Festival (LTF) 2020 was intense and exciting! I had participated as an actor and as a producer in previous editions of the festival, but being the Festival Producer meant being responsible for executing the entire event, lasting one week, with over 40 production companies, more than 125 performances, as well as workshops and other activities. Months of preparation and deliberations, many late nights and early mornings and the excel spread sheets in-between – it was very important to us for the festival to be not only successful but also live up to the theme, Going Out of Bounds… a lot of heart and soul had gone into it! There was a moment – on the night before the closing – festivalgoers, participants and guests were dancing and having an amazing time, Freedom Park was full of people and buzzing with activity and the food court bursting with the energy of the people who filled the entire space… In that moment, it felt to me like time froze. We looked at one another, sweaty, sleep deprived and nearly exhausted and said, “We did that!” It was pretty cool! I’m looking forward to another rollercoaster experience with the whole team at the next LTF in 2021.
When I worked at Lufodo Productions, I was project lead on the African Women In Film Forum (AWIFF) 2010, a partnership with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). It was exciting to have some of the brightest African women in the arts in the same room, to discuss the impact of poor representation of women in film on the society. It was a proud moment for me, but more than that, it helped defined the type of storyteller I wanted to become.
In 2018, after I produced my first feature, Time Looped, another producer called to congratulate me and I wondered what the big deal was. I had fallen out with people who ought to have been professionals, first and secondly, friends; I had worked both on screen and behind the scenes, juggling several assignments and was way too exhausted to feel any sense of achievement; I really did not consider it a big deal. She said to me, “You finished on schedule and within budget. It is a big deal that some more experienced producers have not achieved”. I said thank you and went back to sleep, but I stopped being hard on myself.
During the 2012 London Olympics, I was awarded a production training opportunity at Theatre Royal Stratford East and worked on some major UK-Nigeria projects. I also got to work closely with foremost theatre director and teacher, Mr. Bayo Oduneye, whom we fondly call uncle B. It was a deeply introspective experience that I will always remember the season of impartation.
Tell us about some of the movies you did recently?
It looks like 2020 has been a year of tree producer/Director for me. I just directed my first short film, so I’m pretty excited! I was asked to produce but when I read it, something about the story tugged at me and I knew I wanted to be instrumental to telling that story. I asked who was directing because, “I’d love to try my hands at it “. Well, they said yes. It’s a story about a couple whose shared grief is threatening to tear them apart.
I also directed the 3rd season of LAGOSA, a radio drama in which I performed for two seasons. I was excited to direct my teachers and industry veterans, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva. It was a full circle moment for me and I was glad for the opportunity. It looks like 2020 has been the year of the producer/director, for me.
What inspires the things you do?
Purpose, Passion and Posterity.
Why am I doing it? Why work 18-hour days for weeks or months, breaking my back and my immune system, and losing touch with family? Is it for glory or for good, for self or for society? I do it because I do not know how to live in a world where I am not an actor and (sometimes) it could kill me not to… but when we’re gone from here and the same stage is lit for other actors, what do we leave behind for those coming after us? Is my industry better because I’m in it or am I the problem? Those are the things that inspire my actions.
I also believe in the power of the arts and media to make a difference in the world we live in. That’s why I’m unlikely to do anything just for the sake of it. It’s got to mean something.
If you could change something in your industry with the magic wand, what would it be?
Haha! Fairy godmothers, godfathers and angel investors would just be dashing people money to tell amazing stories and they can afford the quality of work they dream about!
Actors with skill and talent would get to play amazing roles regardless of whether or not they are curators of amazing Instagram pages or have zero/1m followers.
What are the other things that occupy your time?
Well, it’s mostly work; when I am not performing or creating, I find other activities within the creative space. I am a producer for hire, an acting coach, a screenwriter. But I’m also a homebody; so you’re likely to find me working from home, or doing some boring thing like making organic skincare products in the kitchen, reading a book, binge watching a TV show, or the occasional cook-off/bake-off.
Tell us about the people you admire in the sector?
I admire people who are committed to the work, people who take on new challenges. I admire integrity and I am in awe of talent, intelligence, creativity and courage.
What are some of the changes that you will like to see in the sector?
I would love to see policies and structures that encourage filmmakers. The entire chain benefits from a well-structured filmmaking process that investors can rely on, from minimum wages for actors and crew to tax incentives for filmmakers and maximum opportunities for content distribution. Creating work strips the soul enough. I believe that when we the people – practitioners, policymakers and the public – understand the power of the media, we will behave more responsibly towards the art and the act.
What is your assessment of the sector?
We are making big strides in some areas and major blunders in others. When not enough people care about the long-term impacts of our actions, everyone suffers. When enough people do well, we all look good. We’ve just got to keep at it and treat the entertainment industry as a home or piece of property we want our children to be able to inherit.
What type of books do you like to read?
Fiction mostly. I love stories. I can’t get enough of them. Some books take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride and you leave the last page with your emotions all over the place lol. It’s the perfect place for escapism. I think that’s my favourite thing about books – I get to escape real life intermittently by burying myself in a good story.
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