By Agatha Emeadi
Ayodeji Makun, popularly known as AY is a stand-up comedian, movie producer and actor. AY driven to greater heights through passion told Sunday Sun that the entertainment industry has been part and parcel of him from a young age. Thus he took off from being a social prefect in his secondary school to organizing beauty pageants as an undergraduate. These were very easy for himthough handle.
Though he is a native of Ondo State, he was born and bred in Warri, Delta State, which gave him the opportunity to blend his character, language and attitude.
AY graduated from the Delta State University, where he bagged a degree in Theatre Arts.
He embraced the entertainment industry fully and fortune smiled on him when he met Alibaba Akpobome, a known comedian who held his little hands and lifted him up as his personal assistant.
In an interview with Sunday Sun, Makun appreciated Alli Baba who mentored him to come into a bigger limelight.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
The entertainment industry as a matter of fact has always been my thing. While growing up I was always part of different groups and clubs. In my secondary school at the College of Commerce in Warri Delta State then, I was the Social Prefect. So, coming from that background, I got exposed to drama unit where I do a lot of drama and Master of Ceremonies then. So, I knew I was going to the direction of entertainment. While finding myself in the entertainment direction, it exposed me to the bigger AY that I have become.
Parents then were not excited with the entertainment industry then, they preferred the children being professionals like lawyers, doctors etc. How did they feel when you were embracing entertainment and now that you have made it?
My parents were not the dictating type for their children’s career. They were rather more interested and encouraged all of us to go school. They strongly believe that education was the passport to our feature. My father used to say, ‘When you gain education, you can navigate and transcend every other human understanding to become who you want to be.’ And that has honestly played out successfully for my siblings and I.
How did you rise to stardom?
It was not really movies that brought me to limelight. It was actually being a stand-up comedian that led me to the entertainment industry. As a stand-up comedian, working with Ali Baba back in the days as his personal assistant exposed me to a lot of opportunities where I was able to say to myself that I can build a career and make something out of this whole thing called stand-up comedy. So, I started working with ‘Night of a ‘Thousand Laugh’, RMD, ‘Made in Warri’ to creating my own show AY Life. From creating the first ‘AY Life’ to where we are today is something to be grateful to God for. It has really projected me to where I am right now.
Your popular ‘Akpos character’ is a recurring charm that has featured in a couple of your films, how are you adding a new angle to make sure your viewers are not bored?
Akpos have been relegated for quite some time now. The last time he featured was when we did Christmas in Miami. It has nothing to do with Merry men and Almajiri. So, in giving that long break only to come back now. It is to let viewers know that the Akpos brand stands. There is a franchise that people are not tired of. The James Bond 007 etc were brands at their own time. Then, there were people who were not born when these films aired, but they knew the names especially James Bond and superman franchise is there. It is the kind of tonic and story that one infuses into the film, the characterization, direction and the service that is given to it, all counts. This time around, we have pretty good story in our films. But Akpos is not also overly all about the story like it used to be from the days of 30 days in Atlanta. It is just a complete story with the infuse of Akpos character in it to give birth to variety which forms the spice of life.
What opportunities have being an entertainer brought to you?
The AY brand has opened me up to a lot of opportunities. It is like walking into a room and I am instantly recognized and accepted. Again, it has to do with me branding myself properly. Being an entertainer has opened me up to the point of having the opportunity to open door for others. That is one great privilege that I celebrate till date.
How was growing up like?
I was born, bread and buttered in Warri and that is why I have the Akpos character being represented by my able self. I am from a family of seven. I am the first male child. Our growing up was cool, Godly, Christian home, we were taught to live right. If you see my siblings and I, that is the reflection you see in each and every one of us. It has affected us positively to the point of building individual brands and that we give all glory to God.
What is the story behind your latest movie and the entire project of ‘The Waiters,’ which was premiered last December?
The waiter is one of such stories, but completely different in the sense that it is laced with so much in quality, action, emotional situation that we all can relate with. Moreover, most of the things that we are all going through in this country. It is a balanced story. As a matter of fact, when we started cooking the story which I came up with the idea. But then, we added that it will be nice to have someone put it together, so Darlington, the producer and I said we needed the best writers in this part of the world, because a lot of people were complaining about the kind of stories we tell as Nigerians. Then, in doing our research, we stopped at the corridor of Kehinde Joseph. He fleshed up the story and gave us a master piece. With the interview of cast members, you will hear that the script is well detailed. After they all got their scripts, they called to ask when are we going on set? One of the things we are working on in our industry is to try and create a beautiful story that actors can connect with. This means that the film maker is taking a direction of focus that will affect the production positively. ‘The Waiter’ is one of such stories. In the film, we chose to treat subjects that are relatable. We had the best of locations in Abuja. We tried to tell stories that would be enjoyed by adults, and the Generation Z’. It was a film I felt we could not make because of the details, but I am grateful to God for the opportunity because there is a lot of good film makers, but not all have the opportunity to have a good script and the backing of a production house, then the required finance to make the film.
What advice do you have for upcoming entertainers and stand-up comedians/film makers?
Be sure you have the passion for what you want. Do not follow others, then work, read and study others.