Why I wept over Toyin Abraham’s naira rain -Actor Emeka Okoye

Nollywood movie hunk, Emeka Stanley Okoye, shares his first experience on a movie set where he began to sweat profusely because of the stars around him. He explains more about his works in this interview with ORJI ONYEKWERE.

Which project are you working in now?

I am working on three projects, but the first one is my new English language film titled A Familiar kind of Forever. (AFKOF)

It stars award winning veterans like Segun Arinze, known for his stellar performance in Silent Night, Ronnie Dikko of Family Circle TV series, Ayo Adesanya of the Most Wanted movie fame. Those movies we watched and were so proud of back in the days.

Also in my new film, we have the delectable Rosemary Afuwape, Enitan Oluwole, oluwafemi Adekanye, myself (Emeka okoye), Ijeoma Richards, Stella Maris Nnaji, Chioma Igwe, and Damian Anazodo.

The story and screenplay was written by Emediong Isaac, who works with Oma Princess Writers Agency. I produced it with the help of my associate producer Mr Asuelime Ojie Eniola, whose production company known as Ojis Media Production Ltd supplied all the equipment and coordinated the shoot.

I produced the movie in conjunction with my company NIgerbond Media Ltd.  It was directed by Asuelime Ojis Eniola, a member of the Directors Guild Of Nigeria (DGN)

So, it’s a beautiful story which gives hope to young and older people that true love exists, that love can come in different unimaginable ways and once you see it, and feel it, you should hold it tight till forever.

My second project which is coming up, is a rebrand version of my English/ pidgin series CLETUS and REBECCA, which will be shot in Igbo language soon.

My third project is a Yoruba film, which I may not disclose the title for now. A lot is happening behind the scenes from NIgerbond Ltd. I am here to entertain my fans worldwide.

You once said that producers don’t give you work because of your size. Has that changed?

Yes. A lot has changed now. The story is different and amazingly, I have been getting better jobs and better offers. Regardless of my body size, God has showered me his grace inwardly.

What’s your greatest attribute as an actor?

That is, being able to navigate patiently the hurdles of being stereotyped as an actor and the general culture of inhuman treatment I experienced as an upcoming actor back then.

You started off in 2002 as a screen actor. What motivated your joining the movie industry?

Well, I officially started acting in 1999. As a secondary school student, year 2002 was when I left secondary school and also gained admission into the university, the same year. Then I joined the Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN). But as from 1999, I have been appearing in movies on and off due to school activities.

Is there any role or character you have played and it stuck with you? Any time you remember it, you cringe or you feel happy?

Yes. That will be a Christian film back in Eke village in Enugu, it was a witchcraft movie. I played a chemist man who initiates his customers into the witchcraft coven.

After shooting the film, we lost the little baby we used in the film and the actress that played the queen mother. It was devastating for me, and that was my last appearance in such kind of film till date. Each time I remember some horrible experience on set. I cringe and feel sober.

Which particular actor gets you motivated anytime you are on set with him and why?

No particular actor; every actor comes with their extraordinary abilities to deliver always. Anytime I am working with any actor, I am motivated to give my best as well, but I also love it when I am on set with older veterans. I learn a lot both from my directors on set .  Each movie I feature in is like a new school level for me.  I love improving on my artistic abilities always.

Tell us about your stage performances. The play and the prominent thespians that were part of the play…

My stage experiences were during my school days and church drama society eras. I do imitations a lot, while I was a kid. When I relocated to Lagos, I tried few stage performances with Bunmi Davies.  I stopped due to my part time teaching job back then and to meet up rehearsals was a problem.

 A video popped up on the social media where actress Toyin Abraham was spraying you naira notes as you sat down and you were shading tears. Why did you shed tears?

Oh my goodness, I know social media well-wishers have been waiting patiently for me to talk about this because I saw several amazing comments though. But I sincerely appreciate all the encouraging words and love showered on me that period, most especially Toyintitans fans. God will bless Toyin Abraham (bestie Jesu ) and Mercy Aigbe Adeoti for me.

Hmm, why I cried is sometimes, when I remember how I started in Nollywood, and where I have been now, I shed tears. But those tears are not weakness, they are my enabling strength to heal easily from the memories and keep moving forward without being deterred.

I am a very strong person by God’s grace and I see everything happening around me. But I put my faith and trust in God consistently.

Have you produced your own movies? Or you are working towards that?

By His grace, I have produced more than 20 films, both mine and for my business associates’. My movies I can remember, Rave, A Mothers Tale, Make Me A Girl Again, Daylight Dreams, Cletus and Rebecca, Housekeepers, A Day With the Taxi Driver, Bane Of My Home, First Born Child, Man On Fire , etc.  For Igbo films I have: Ajo Obara  Ijiji Nti Ike, Mkpisi Ngum, Nneka Nwa Azikiwe, Nwokeoma Osiso etc.

 If you were not acting, what would you be doing?

I would have been a practicing lawyer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And also a psychologist maybe rendering counseling services to people.

What do you look out for when you are given a script? What can make you reject a script?

I look out for my 3Cs, the concept, the conflict in the story, and the characters, so as to be able to internalise and deliver my own character as if I am the character in person.

Rejecting script happens. if the story is over flogged, and the producer refuses to put a good twist rightly where the concerns are, or make amends on way forward, I will respectfully decline.

Secondly, if I am not feeling the story, I may give my opinion to the producer, if he or she allows such. If not. I will gladly decline.

Can you share your experience on your first day on set as a professional actor. Were your legs shaking?

My first experience on a movie set was terrible. I was sweating profusely, but the veterans were calming me down. Actually, I was star struck seeing the faces I watched on screen, I was like “Emeka is this for real, you are acting with them”. But as I started rehearsing in front of my room mirror, I was able to conquer that fear and I later became a professional.

Tell us about the recent movies you shot. How you got to be part of To Kill a Monkey- which won an award at AMVCA.

Getting on Netflix most trendy and most popular series ‘To kill a monkey’ by the delectable amazon Kemi Adetiba is one special gift God gave to me that remains unimaginable to me till date. I remain grateful to her and her husband Mr Oscar.

My experience on set of To kill a Monkey was a sweet and very educational. I felt like an actor who has gone for an advanced training in acting.