strong>The name, Tope Tedela, rang no bell in Nollywood until he beats several top stars in the industry to emerge the Best Actor in a drama at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). In this interview with Morakinyo Olugbiji, Tope talks about life before and after winning the (AMVCA)
What have you been up to lately after emerging AMVCA Best Actor?
Yeah, well I’ve been working and I’ve been pretty busy. I’m grateful for the works I’ve been getting lately that have kept me busy.
Would you say that despite winning the award, you are getting enough attention yet?
Yes! I will say before and after. Things have been different. I’ve been a lot busier. I’ve been working more and I’ve been pretty much received.
What is the number one challenge you face right now in your career?
You ask yourself if you are picking the right material; the headache of that. The headache of asking yourself if you are really delivering on the role you chose. Also the reality of working in Nigeria; the reality that pirates are still out there who will pirate your works and the effect on the revenue that the producers are supposed to generate from the original work and in turn will affect the pay that actors are supposed to get. There are really a lot. Just too much!
Can you talk more about the challenges of working in Nigeria for you as an actor?
The truth is, it’s really challenging. It’s really tough. You know sometimes, the producer may want to invest in a film but because the environment is not exactly enabling for he or she to recoup whatever investment he or she makes,it may affect what you as an actor will get paid. So all this and more are just parts of the major problems.
Ever since you won the AMVCA, many have been asking, what sets Tope Tedela out from the packs of other young actors out there?
I wish I had an answer to this, because I really can’t speak for myself but what I do know is that I keep my feet on the ground. I focus on the job at hand and I think I’m easy to work with.
How exactly did you get into the industry?
I started out in 2006. 2006 was when I had my first major role on the “Edge of Paradise”, a television series then where I played Julian. It’s been on and on from there. From there, I went on to play in Super Story and then I took a break by going back to school. I finished from school, and came back again in 2011. Since 2011 I’ve been slugging it out on the streets and trying to make this dream a reality.
So how are your colleagues especially the senior ones accepting you now, what’s the relationship like?
Well, the truth is, things don’t just come knocking at your door. Like I said, it’s been a lot better for me than it has been in years. But there is still a lot of grounds to cover. However I’m grateful that I’m able to work regularly with more jobs coming my way and that’s a privilege I’m not ready to take lightly.
Coming across you one would assume you are more like an easy going, shy and laidback person. Because your colleagues at this event are right now grooving and here you are just standing here alone outside looking calm?
See, life is too short and I don’t think there is any point wearing a chip on your shoulder. Live as fully as you can, live as humbly as you can,live as helpful as you can be and just enjoy life your own way.
What’s your perception about Nollywood?
Nollywood has come a long way and if you go back to the origin of the industry, you’ll see that it was built on the image of certain people. As much as we are not where we ought to be, I also think we’ve come quite a long way. It can only get better. A lot of good movies are coming out now and people are taking us more seriously. We are trying to sell ourselves to the international community and everybody knows now that it’s not child’s play. So I believe that sooner, it will get better.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
The truth is there is a lot of people to draw inspiration from. These people have stood the test of time and are really doing well. You get encouraged that surely you can also get there. Looking at a couple like Olu Jacobs and his wife Joke Silva, you’ll no doubt be encouraged that you too can do it.
Five years from now, where should we expect Tope Tedela?
Primarily I’m an actor and I expect to continue to put out good works. I hope the works that I get to be part of are grade A project commercially, critically and so on. That’s it really.
With the spotlight presently on you, how do you cope with the ladies.
The truth is that everyone at every point in their lives will get attention from the opposite gender. I’m getting a lot of attentions from the girls but I’m trying to be as responsible as I can be.
Finally,give us a break down of your background
Well I was born and raised in Lagos. I’m the first child in a family of four boys. Yes, we are all boys. I studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. I’ve also worked in the broadcast industry. I’ve presented on TV and radio and now I’m acting fully which is what I have always loved to do.
