Just six years in the industry, she has successfully warmed her ways into the hearts and minds of movie buffs with her impressive acting prowess. Amanda Ebeye continues to grow. After studying International Studies and Diplomacy at Benson Idahosa University in Edo State, she joined the Nigerian movie industry and has continued to grow. In this interview with Senior Reporter, Anthonia Soyingbe, she speaks on her life, career and more.
What is happening to Amanda now?
I am busy as usual, going to locations and contributing my qouta.
You seem to feature more in TV soaps now than you actually do in movies?
That is not correct; probably you are yet to watch some of the movies I have featured in. I have done lots of movies, far more than soaps. Since
Amanda Ebeye
2011, I have not done any soap apart from Bella’s Place and Super Story which I also featured in this year. It is rather shameful as I can’t count the number of movies I have featured in. It is unfortunate that we churn out a high quantity of movie without good quality in Nigeria. I have featured in many soaps and I didn’t want to be on many soaps at a time because it drops your face as an actor. For me an actor should not be on more than a Soap a time.
What do you consider before you pick up a script?
Before, I wasn’t careful about what I was doing, I just did all the jobs that came my way, but now I am very selective. For me to feature in a movie now the story has to be good and the role has to be challenging. I don’t do regular stories a lot but I go for challenging roles which will bring out the best in me. I picked up the scripts of the soaps I featured in lately because they were very challenging.
Is that why you decided not to feature on Clinic Matters any longer?
I did just 39 episodes on Clinic Matters and it has not gotten out of people’s head long after I left Clinic Matters. I left because I and the producer didn’t agree on some things, I got a better offer somewhere else and I moved on.
What are some of the changes you hope to see in the industry?
The industry is good and growing. I am very optimistic that the industry will be bigger and better in the next couple of years. The cinemas are doing well but I feel we should always have a touch of our culture in every film we do. There are so many stories we haven’t shot yet and it is as if we have exhausted all stories. The industry will be better if we can pay attention to our stories. Right now technical aspect is improving in the industry. The major change I hope to see is the story. We should endeavor to inculcate our African culture in our stories because we have so many stories to tell.
When will you produce your own film?
I am thinking towards that direction and hopefully someday I will do that. I am not considering that now because I can’t afford the funds now. It will be a high budget movie. I will put my all in it and that is why I am taking my time to do it.
Aside acting what else is Amanda into?
Nothing else at the moment
Not even trying to sing?
Everybody can’t sing but I sing to myself in my bathroom anyway.
What are some of the motivating factors that attracted you into acting?
Growing up as a child, I always wanted to be on TV. I have always loved the camera and I have always been a spokesperson. I found out that I learnt from TV apart from my parents, siblings and church. Most people sit down to watch TV and I found out that I could be a teacher being on TV, that attracted me and also motivated me as I can do what I love doing but instead of going to classroom to teacher, I can do it on TV. That is why I have cut out lots of scripts because if I can not teach, which was the first reason I chose acting then there is no point appearing on screen.
You have been in the industry for just six years; can you share with us some of your experiences so far?
It has been good, rough, tough, it keeps fluctuating but it will get better.
What is your relationship like with your colleagues?
I respect them and they don’t bring up class issues. All they demand for is respect and I have to respect them. This is Nigeria and we do lots of the Aunty and Uncle things. If I am going to work with Genevieve, you don’t expect me to go and call her by her name except she tells me she is okay with that. They were there before me; they are older than me so I need to respect them.
Do you see yourself becoming a diplomat later in future as your background course in the university?
I don’t know but if I am made an ambassador, I will gladly accept it. Your parents must have kicked against it when you told them of your decision to go into acting. My father initially didn’t like the decision because he wanted me to do something in which I will make more money. He views actors, painters and artists as poor people. My mum always supported my dream of becoming an actor right from a very tender age. My daddy is cool with it now.
He will be cool with it now at least for the fact that you are bringing a lot of money home.
I can’t give my dad money. I don’t have a pinch of what my parents have so I can’t give them money. They could be happy that I can take care of myself but it doesn’t affect them.
Aside fame, of what benefit has acting been to you?
It has taught me a lot because coming to the industry I thought it was going to be smooth and rosy. I loved to watch Bimbo Akintola, Geneieive and others and I felt acting is so easy. When I came in, I realised that it isn’t that easy. It has made me to be humble because when you get into the industry, there is so much pride attached to you because you want to think you can do it but later you will realise that it is not easy. Lots of people that have been there grew and every single person coming into the industry must grow. Acting has made me to understand that life is not easy because I thought life was easy. I thought it was about speaking English but later I realised that it is beyond that. I had to start learning how to do some local things because if you want to be a centralised actor, you have to appeal to diverse sets of audience. I couldn’t speak pidgin before but now I can speak pidgin fluently. My younger siblings don’t really like it when I speak it but I am happy I can now speak pidgin.
Who are your pals in the industry?
Everybody is my pals because they are all my colleagues. I don’t have special friends, I only have few friends. I look up to people like Genevieve Nnaji, RMD, Bimbo Akintola, Patience Ozukwour and Ramsey Noauh.
When should we expect that special invitation from you?
Very soon
What is that question you are tired of answering?
I am tired of answering the last question you asked me. People keep asking me that question from time to time. I think they should stop asking me and wait till that time when I will send out my wedding invitation out to them.
The post I can’t give my parents money made from acting – Amanda appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.