Ufoma Mcdermott is a filmmaker, leading Nollywood actress and former model. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her journey into acting, turning point in her career, challenges and the USM show which she is working on currently.
WHO or what inspired you to go into acting?
I think that the decision of being in acting just came from being at home and not doing anything. I had finished my 300 level at the French Village and my mates back on campus had not even started their 300 level and I was ready for final year. So, it was more of a decision of what to do with my time. I was modelling at that point, and modelling was sporadic. It wasn’t like a constant job. Two years prior, I had met Zeb Ejiro and he had invited me to come into acting and I had turned down that offer at that point. My time was just mine to do nothing with and I decided to give it a trial. So, I gave him a call and that was how it started.
What was the experience like at the beginning?
Talking about the beginning, I think I was blessed. My start was cushioned. Of course, I was on Ejiro’s projects. I had a prominent role and Zeb went ahead to advise me on some things about the industry and he advised me to get registered with AGN. He also advised that I make myself available to as many auditions as possible. In addition, he advised that I stay away from certain places. He also advised that I put my ears down for audition notices. So, I think that on that front, it was good. Of course, on the side of earnings, I won’t say it was good. But then again, I don’t think I have much to complain about because I was in school and I was being supported by my parents. So, it wasn’t as if I needed money to sort out life’s issues. It was just an extra earning in my pocket. But into all of that, starting out, you do jobs and you wouldn’t get paid. Or you do a job and get paid just enough to cover your transportation.
So, it had its trials but I would say that I was not the one person to lurk around for too long because I took all the advice and made myself available for auditions. I was getting roles at every point in time. I got supportive roles before I could get a lead role. I think it was good, if you count it in terms of getting into a new industry. I honestly cannot complain.
When was the turning point for you?
My biggest turning point within the entertainment industry in all honesty for me was when I began to get insights, still as an actor. But I started understanding the other running of a production mix-up that makes the content; the running of the people who operate behind the cameras. I think I was better off for it. I think this probably came very strongly when I was on set of ‘Private Storm’. It was produced by Vivian Ejike and it starred Ramsey Noah and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. That was my epiphany, my turning point and that was when I made certain decisions about the industry and I think I followed through till now.
Tell us about life as an actress
Life as an actress is work, day and night. I ensure that I do whatever I have been paid to do. I do it properly. So, it is the same with teachers, doctors, tomatoes seller or the corn roaster who wakes up in the morning and says you know what this is another day at work, another day in the office. We have got to make it count. We have to do what we are doing right; we have to enrol sales experts to get money. So, for me, life as an actress is on a level right now, where I realise that someone has taken a chance right now with me. That person has paid so much on my services and it has to be worth that person’s money. So, it is not just about doing the job and just leaving. Be paid, shoot and go. I understand that in post-production, there are things that I must do as an actress, to promote that work and ensure that the producer gets more than it’s worth. I need to prove to them that I am worth much more than I am paid. So, life as an actress is like another day in the office.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced?
I started acting right from school and I had not started any career, so to say. I was modelling, I don’t know if that counts, just before acting.
I think every day we encounter challenges. I don’t think that there is anyone that I would say should not happen. What I have done in my life is to learn from every challenge and it has made me stronger and better. It has made me come out with more resolve to say I would do it. So, the challenges have been a blessing. I remember doing my movie, Christmas is coming, my first movie that hit the cinemas. I had challenges with location. I had been given permission to shoot somewhere but at the end of the day they changed their minds on us and that made us to look for locations impromptu and moved a whole lot of stuffs to put up a set. Even doing my recent show, ‘the USM show’, we had problems with the shipping company. The costumes and the props that we ordered for, the shipping companies for reasons that I cannot understand delayed in sending the goods. We had about six boxes of goods and they ended up sending four and then by the week of the show, we still hadn’t received all our props, clothes and all. So, it was a big challenge on its own. However, you surmount them and that is what makes you special. It makes you great, it makes you stand out. The ability to go through those challenges and come out a better person.
Let’s talk about the memorable moments in your life and career
I think I am a happy girl, so every day I try to create memories but I have got a wonderful family, like super wonderful; I couldn’t ask for anything better. That is the biggest highlight of my life. It is just awesome to come back home to them every day. In my career, I think first of all being nominated for the Monte Carlo Television Festival for the Golden Nymph Film Award in 2010 with Tina Fey. I couldn’t believe it. I think I stared at that nomination for a whole day. Just to be in the same category with Tina Fey and others. That was a defining moment for me. That made me feel like, you know what, you are doing something amazing. Another highlight in my career is doing the USM show. It is something that I dreamt of as a child watching a lot of movies; The King and I, Sound of Music, South Pacific and other plays at the Broadway at the WestEnd and others that have influenced me musically. It is a blessing to be putting the USM show together. Being able to dream it and do it, you just can’t ask for more.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
The greatest influence in my life is something I have to talk about this way. Honestly, my life is like a puzzle and I pick, pick and pick. I don’t think that there is a specific person that I can say has influenced me. I have had so many influences on my life and I am so grateful.
They are all influences that I am proud of and I took a little bit of this from this person and that person. In my life, I have been influenced by so many people and I am thankful for the kind of upbringing that I have had and the kind of home that I grew up in. The things I learnt while growing up, thankful for the Sunday school teachers that trained me as a youngster and the way that I have come to know God for myself. It’s amazing, as a deep Christian that I am. As much as I love God and the precepts of His word, I have learnt to understand that I have that direct access to the throne of grace. I don’t need any human to be a middle man. It is an upbringing that I am grateful to God about the things my Sunday schools teachers and pastors have instilled in me. I am a wise Christian, if I can put it that way. I am that person who understands where to draw the lines, where to know man and where to know God. I am also grateful to the people I met while I was getting into this industry as I mentioned earlier, starting off with Zeb Ejiro. Then uncle Zack Orji was AGN president; the advice I got, I can’t buy it anywhere. And as I went along, people showed me the way; people like aunty Joke Sylvia, sometimes just listening to that woman speak is really amazing. My friend, Omoni Oboli, just taking a little bit of here and there from her. And Tara, understanding that business can function without stress; you don’t have to die for your business to survive. So, I learnt that from her; how to let your business run on autopilot. I have not only mentioned a quarter of the people who have influenced me. I am grateful to all of them. Like Denzel Washington calls them; they are the hands that have helped me.
The USM show is a variety show. It has musical, comedy and dance. It’s a magic show. The whole idea behind it is to put spectacle together on stage. We just want to blow people’s mind and they were getting used to the usual. So, we just want to shake them up a bit so that they have a wonderful experience. What we did was a merger of almost everything, the normal comedy that they are used to, musicals on stage, which a number of Nigerians also appreciate. We have some musicians that they are used to and we have a magic show which is not a norm in Nigeria. It’s the first edition and we know it is the breath of something new. We hope to take it to different heights and different levels. There is a show called the Magic of dreams and it’s in two folds; the play and the musicals. We also have the movie, which is coming very soon. The uniqueness of the USM show is the fact that anything can happen. For instance, we can just decide that we are having acrobats that day. We have different things lined up for entertainment. You know you are coming to be waohed but you don’t know what form it will take. I think that is amazing.
Are there changes that you would like to see in the sector?
For me, the biggest change probably comes with the growth and the embracing of technology. I remember starting as an actor that you need to get a bus to carry the equipment. Right now, you can conveniently carry out a proper production, a hitch free production with small cameras in the boot of your car and you are good to go with a few LED lights. However, I also think that the techniques have also improved. Both the actors and the technical people have improved on their technicalities. It is improving and the stories are getting better.
In what ways has acting changed your life?
I don’t think that acting has changed my lifestyle. It is changing the way I see life. I try to live as liberally as possible, be free minded, be free-spirited and non-judgemental.
Let’s compare when you started and now; what has changed?
Being in the industry, I think I have grown primarily as an actor because I started as an actor. And then again as a producer. Being a producer, being an employer of labour and being a business person because we need to understand the business part of show business. It’s been lessons learnt all the way. I don’t think I would have time to enumerate each of them but I think the biggest one is understanding it’s a business and treating it as one. There is a cycle and you need to be cautious of what you put in because of what you are expecting to get out of it. Everyone who goes into a business has assumptions, budgets and projections. We should also have those in the industry. It doesn’t make sense to walk in blindly and say, ‘you know what, I have a hundred million to throw around, let’s see.’ No. Do your own due diligence, do your own findings and know what is possible especially when you know what your marketing budget is like. I mean, it is not written in stone that it must be a certain way but there are certain indices that would give you an idea of a projection. As a business person, you should have that at the back of your mind before you go on a spending spree. I have learnt that.
How do you define style?
I think style is you. We all have black pants, how do you wear your black pants? Ufoma might wear hers rolled up to her knees, another might wear hers rolled up to her ankle, while someone might wear hers long down, dragging on the floor. Someone might wear hers with sneakers and another wear hers with heels while another could wear a short skirt over it. So, style is you, your uniqueness and how you do what you do.
What are the items that you treasure most in your wardrobe?
I don’t think there is any item that I treasure more than the other. I buy stuffs because I like them. For mow, maybe leggings and bustiers; it might change tomorrow.
How would you assess Nigerian designers today?
The Nigerian fashion industry has come a long way. I would have loved to say that they have come of age but I know that there is still much more grounds to conquer. I am so happy that you can actually see that their designs are unique and they can fit into whatever style your imagination takes you to. These designers also have their imaginations running wild and crazy. They fashion industry as a whole, sometimes even the stylists can be very creative.
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