Joy Amata, born and bred in Lagos State, is a rising actress who grew up in the popular slum, Ajegunle. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, she talks about her refusal to let her environment take hold of her future, and other issues relating to her acting career.
TELL us about yourself?
I grew up in Ajegunle , a Lagos slum,. But when I tell people, they hardly believe me. It took much time, and grooming for my environment not to have a negative impact on me. I read many books, and watched foreign movies, which sparked my interest in the make-believe world.
Eucharia Anuobi, is one actress who impressed me. She speaks very good English. And in my area, you could hardly hear people speak good English; speaking more of pidgin and Yoruba. But I had to learn, which comes with a dictionary, and frequent visits to the café, which was how I learnt to separate myself from my environment.
I am a graduate of Social Studies from the Delta State University. But I was not satisfied, due to my love for movies, so I went to a film school in Delta state, to obtain a Diploma in Film and Television Production.
How did you get into acting?
It is my surname. Though I am not related to the Amata’s, the name has opened doors for me, right from when I was in school, where I was always being asked about the welfare of Uncle Fred and Zack. And I would just smile and say they are fine. And then I brag with the name, but then that was how it began.
I have an elder sister who used to act, but is now into gospel music. I would beg to go with her whenever she had a shoot,. One day I went with her, and while they were shooting, I felt like jumping on set. That was when it clicked. Prior to that I had been approached several times by people who believed that I looked like an actress. That further pushed me to pursue my dream to become an actress. A friend once called me to ask if I was already acting, as she had seen it in her dream. All this came at a particular time. And because I also loved it, it made it easier for me, even if it is a difficult industry to work in.
My first acting gig, was through the film school, where I met Zeb Ejiro. He introduced me to some people in the industry. I also sing, though not professionally. That was the first time I met Fred Amata. After the performance he insisted on meeting me. He has introduced me to people as his talented sister from another mother ever since . I have thereafter attended auditions and taken roles. But the challenge is sometimes you don’t have what the producers are looking for; like height, body, face and other factors.
What can you say has kept you going as a young actor despite the challenges?
Though it can sometimes be frustrating, my love for acting, and the many people that believe in me, have kept me going. So many people have encouraged me over the years. The fact is that I have never been to any audition and failed to impress. I have also performed on stage, receiving many compliments. That is what keeps me going.
So which movie would you say gave you your big break?
In my opinion, I am yet to break through as I am yet to get to play a lead role, but I get sub leads with notable actors. But I do more of stage performances, which hardly sells people in this country. People hardly go to the theatre to watch plays. So I am still hoping for that big break. I was meant to get one recently, but the lead character was swapped. But I know it is coming soon.
Why haven’t you taken the same steps as your other upcoming colleagues?
I don’t really like assuming, but I believe it is luck and timing. I have a lot of faith and I am waiting for that time. And maybe I don’t have the body like others that can sell movies; like a busty front, or an attractive backside. I can’t sleep my way to fame, despite the strong temptations to grab the opportunity given to climb the ladder of fame in the “easiest’ manner”, by sleeping around, I have chosen to stay focused and let success come at the right time.
I have been approached by many, including popular actors and producers. They all believe that once you have made up your mind to be in the movie world, the best way you can be known is to dance to their tune. But that has made me stronger.
I have been around for a while now, and see the way things are done. Once you agree to sleep with one of them, you will get tossed around. I don’t want that for my career, which may be why I don’t get called like the others. I was recently at an audition for a popular production company, where I was selected to play the role of a Warri babe. The role went to someone else, because the director wanted his own person to play that role. That is how the whole thing goes , which is why talented actors and actresses are yet to have a break. The industry is corrupt, and talent is seen to be secondary.
I have seen cases where talented people are marked down, and friends put in their place. That is where favouritism comes in.
You mentioned Zeb Ejiro and Fred Amata, should’nt those names have opened doors for you?
I ask myself the same question sometimes. But it does not work that way. The industry has grown, leading to an influx of new directors and producers, who dish out good movies. The ones I mentioned were part of the starters of Nollywood, but they are no longer as strong as they used to be. They really can’t do much, and can only offer encouragement. The industry is more challenging than it used to be, financially and creatively.
The clique thing is another factor, it means that you have to belong to a particular set of people to gain recognition. If you have noticed, in Emem Isong movies, you will see a certain set of people. And when you see a new face, the person must have a strong link to them. The producer has a film school, but I have never seen her feature any of her students. Is she saying, she has not seen any talented student in her school? Even her students complain; she doesn’t use them, she goes for her friends to shoot her movies. They don’t really give talents a chance. Making it hard for new talents to rise.
How do you balance your corporate work with acting?
You have to work to look good and well packaged in order to make an impression when going for auditions. But if you don’t work, it means you will have to do some rough stuffs. But right now I have resigned from the corporate world, because it didn’t work. I am running a personal business, selling imported ladies stuff. I also manage a hotel for a friend, giving me enough time to go for auditions and casting. But I pick auditions too, because there are people who only want to play with your time.
At this age, are you not considering settling own?
I am really taking my time. I have married sisters, and marriage is scary to me. Though I have seen some encouraging ones that will make you want to go into marriage, at the same time, I have seen marriages that involve lot of things; money, wanting to leave your parents house, and other factors. Those pressures make people marry, and later on have problems. When I marry, I don’t want to regret it, I want my first marriage to be my last. I want it to be almost perfect, though I know that no marriage is perfect. But I want to get married to my friend, because I don’t have the heart; I am very emotional. There is no space for pains in my heart. There is someone though.
Is he cool with your ambition to become a full time actor?
He says, he is cool with it. But I see some signs; like ‘you know acting is part time?’ so I think somewhere in his heart, he is not really sure. That is why I am taking my time, because I can’t sacrifice my career for any man.
