By Chibuike Okafor
Mr Henry Ugochukwu is a movie writer and director who has made good marks in the entertainment industry.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he talked about his foray into Nollywood and the challenges he encountered to get to where he is today. Excerpt:
Let’s know a bit of the background that supports your film directing career?
I’m Henry Ugochukwu, a movie writer, and director, born in Imo State, but brought up in Rivers State. I’m the second to the last born of my parents. I’m a graduate of Computer Science from Shaka Polytechnic, Benin City, Edo State; I finished from there in 2012.
So, what motivated you to go into movie directing?
I have great passion for movie directing; it has been my life-long dream, having drawn inspiration from some people whose films I watched. A film like Tocobens is great. It was a director’s bank then in Nollywood industry. I tell you I have a great passion for films and directing; that’s why I went into the industry.
So, what in particular gives you joy as a director?
The act gives me joy; each time I watch films, I look for ideas. That brings out a lot of creativity in me. The more I direct, the more I grow in experience to flow with people; each day I’m on set, I receive more experience on how to direct and how to flow with people.
What were the initial challenges you faced on the job?
My initial challenges arose from managing people in the movie set. Out there, you work with various characters; people from different backgrounds and experiences. You notice that Mr. A is a whole lot different from Mr. B. You have to manage them no matter what happens.
We have stubborn people who talk rudely; you encounter people without manners – people with temper. You also meet mild and nice persons.
People say watching Nigerian movies, you will always predict the end, what is your take on this?
Yeah, in time passed, people saw Nigeria movies as ones they could predict as them streamed; people always said the Nigeria film industry is usually based on a particular story line. But nowadays, things have remarkably changed. Nigeria films are making remarkable impact in the Nollywood. The Nigeria films people watch nowadays are by far better than what we watched over the past 15 years. Right now, we do quality movies with nice story lines such that you can’t predict anything. You can’t say this is what will happen next. You will agree with me that Nigeria has gone global in the act of production of quality movies. However, as a writer, I still believe that we need to step up research into how we can do better and produce better quality films. We need to work more on our script -writing skills. We need to strive to create suspense in our audience so that they cannot predict our films, so that they cannot say this is what will happen next.
How did your journey into Nollywood begin?
It all started when I went for an auditioning; we were at a venue from morning to night, but we were not auditioned. Just then, I asked myself if ever I would be able to penetrate the Nollywood industry. Then, at some point, the first idea of scripting came into my mind. So, I started practicing the act. From there, a friend of mine assured me that he would introduce me to a producer. About that time, I had written one movie I called “Dangerous Twins,” which is now on the YouTube. The title is “Brothers’ Hatred.”
So, when the man saw the way I wrote the script, he was convinced that he could direct it. He then encouraged me to go into film directing. I took his counsel; and now, here I am doing the job – and with passion. But my acting career actually started when I left secondary school in 2005. At that time, a friend of mine was looking for individuals to act in a certain movie. So, he invited me. When we arrived at the venue, I was auditioned by the director. I passed the auditioning test; that was how I was chosen to feature in a movie entitled: “Delayed call.”
How is the current socio-economic situation in Nigeria affecting the industry, and what do you estimate is the future of the Nollywood?
To be honest with you, the cost of living is now very high. The average producer spends a lot these days. That affects everything.
However, I believe that in the next five years, nobody will doubt Nigeria movies anymore. We are doing everything to position Nigerian films, and we are now seriously doing very well as our movies are going global.
At first, how did your family react when they learnt you had switched to film making?
My family did not express any form of surprise. There was none of such. While I was growing up, they saw that passion in me; so they encouraged me to give my best to the trade; they wanted me to get focused. And today, here I’m happy, and they are happy for me too.
To what or whom do you attribute your creative inspiration?
I have a lot of respect for Uguzie Uguzie. He is my role model in the industry. I must say that I learn a lot from him each time I watch their movies. I also draw a lot of inspiration from my family members.
So far, how many movies have you directed, or acted in and which is your favourite?
I have produced many movies; even in this New Year, I’m working on a movie. I have acted in some movies, among them “Delayed Call, “Lost Hope” and “My Course Mate.” My favorite is “Lost Hope.”
So, why is Lost Hope your favourite?
The film reminds me about some families that are in crisis today. Such challenge is always caused by a supposed family member. They are the ones that strive to cause people’s downfall.
Then what is your life’s motto, one may ask?
Excellence is my goal. In all I do, I strive for excellence.
If you were not into movies, what else would you have loved to do?
Well, I would have loved to practice the Computer Science I read in school. I acquired a lot of skills in the area.
What is your advice for upcoming film directors?
They should try always to read their scripts starting from the first and ending with the last paragraph. This will help them to have firm idea of what the movie they are going to direct is all about. It also gives them concrete idea of what they want the people they are directing to do at every turn. That puts them in charge of production; people take instructions from them on set. I will ask upcoming directors to work with peace of mind; they shouldn’t let any actor to push them around.