Talented Yoruba actor, Muyiwa Ademola popularly known as Authentic has passed an important message to his colleagues especially movie directors following a three day workshop organized by the new administrator of the Theater And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria {TAMPAN} under the leadership of Otunba Bolaji Amusan aka Mr Latin, to enhance the knowledge of the Yoruba movie directors and directors of photography, which was held recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Immediately after the conclusion of the seminar, where Veteran Filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, was the facilitator, Muyiwa Ademola had an exclusive interview with a renowned entertainment Journalist, GBOLAHAN ADETAYO, where he revealed to us the real reasons he valued the programme so much among others.
When we asked the Abeokuta, Ogun State-born super star about his views on the programme, Authentic revealed that, “It was a very great step, taking the right steps at a right time. You were there and you could see the enthusiastic I was, I was so happy, I was very excited because this is happening now. It’s something the industry needed for a very long time but we couldn’t achieve it, now that we’ve done it, I am happy that I am part of it”.
On the impact the seminar will have on the productions coming next from the industry, he further narrated that, “This seminar will have great impacts on everyone and our jobs. In fact, the impact has started manifesting right from the venue used for the seminar because most of our movie directors admitted that they did not know anything. And you know, that is the beginning of wisdom when you know that all these while you have been calling “ACTION, “CUT” you didn’t even know jack about directing. There’s so much for me to learn. Fine, it is an exaggeration when we say that they admitted they didn’t know anything but what we will say is that they’ve agreed that they don’t know much about film directing especially where to position themselves or what to do to make themselves relevant in the business in the next 15 years to come. Relevancy is very important. What do you give to the society? How do you perceive your job? On which medium are you putting your job? Would your job stand in test of time? So many things. So, the orientation has been changed and you could see the joy in the face of everyone. For someone like me, this is what I have been praying for a long time ago, I have been hoping that we should have it and it started from the last dispensation of Prince Dele Odule.
I mean, we formed the guild and I was the president of the guild, we said we are okay let’s do screening, with the likes of Tunji Bamishigbunyin, Nije Akanni, Yinka Akanbi and co and everybody was screened. We have the names of directors, assistant directors and when the new administration came on board, they took it up that the next move is a workshop for everybody and we brought Tunde Kelani as the facilitator and this is quite interesting. Like I keep telling people, I said okay I want my own children in the industry but I don’t want them in an industry where they might not survive. As a father, I have suffered for my children; I wouldn’t keep them in an industry where they will keep struggling. Hence, this is the reason I am giving my best. Like what I said yesterday at the seminar, unfortunately it is not supposed to be so but that is the truth. What most of my colleagues will earn in seven to eight days I will make it in a day as an actor not a director but I left everything to be part of this three days programme. That shows how much I valued the seminar and the movement because I want my children in the industry to enjoy what the likes of Femi Adebayo, Kunle Afolayan, Peju Ogunmola, Ogungbe’s family, Ogunde’s family, Kosoko’s family and others are enjoying because they have a father that paved the way for them.
They have a father that gave them a legacy. Fine, they did their own too of course, they have their gifts, they have their strengths, talents and efforts as well but when you say Femi Adebayo Salami, Kunle Afolayan, Sola Kosoko, you understand, it is Muyiwa Ademola and my own Ademola has never been an actor and coming into the industry, I started the whole thing from the beginning. Carving a niche for myself, building a name for myself and it is my own thing, I tried so much to have a good legacy for myself too through productions that can stand any day any time and when I go old and I want to retire, what happen next? Nobody will take the legacy for me but if I say okay I have Taiwo and Kehinde Ademola Authentic, Fikunayomi Ademola Authentic who is even into music as we speak and each time I see them, my heart beats like hey, these guys are coming into this industry and you know, we faced so many temptations and we never fall, we are able to conquered but if these kids come to the industry and there are so much temptations, the industry is not bringing anything good forth, wont they fall? Would they be able to face it and say no I won’t do money laundry or touch any drug related businesses?
It is important to keep the name, especially the children who have been exposed to luxury life style right from the beginning of their lives, because we actually want them to live a good life. We suffered a lot and we don’t want our children to face the same challenge in life. During my set, if I didn’t take my mum’s products to the market each time I return from school, I will not eat because that is where she make money to cater for me but my own children, we’ve been taking them to school right from day one with different cars. So, we have exposed them to much enjoyment, so if they come into the industry and the industry isn’t favorable, do you think they will never misbehave? That is why someone like me is saying this industry must get better. I am still young in the industry as well and I still want to enjoy, I still want to make millions of naira from the industry and that is why we need to do the needful togetherness to make the industry better”.
No comments