How to succeed as an actor –Ijeoma Richards, Nollywood star and president of Nollywood Creative Minds Forum

By Christy Anyanwu

 

Ijeoma Richards became widely and professionally known in the movie industry when she acted her first ever movie, ‘Living in Oblivion’. 

 

Sage as she is fondly called has since starred in several Nollywood movies. 

The talented and creative actress acts in both  Igbo and English movies. In this interview she spoke about her acting career, among other issues.

Tell us more about yourself?

I am a writer, actor, filmmaker  and president of Nollywood Creative Minds Forum (NCMF). I have featured in several films and series such as Newman Street (2014)  a series, Malaysian Wives, which was nominated for the AMVCA in 2018,  Payback (2020), On My honour (2021), Memories Unforgotten (2022). This year I am in Covenant Series which was also nominated for the AMVCA, my character Ble Ble is an illiterate, fiesty, Yoruba market woman. I am also in Unforgivable, which will hit cinemas  on July 28, that is this month. Among several other films.

 

What motivated you to go into acting? Is it the same thing now as it was in the past?

I always say, I am an accidental actor. I didn’t set out to be an actor, my passion is in telling non-fiction stories, that is documentaries. I tried my hands on a few, but I kept getting industry practitioners who will promise on projects and not deliver. Acting was a way for me to go all in into production. I dare say practitioners today are more focused, more passionate about getting things done and it is refreshing to see that happening.  The difference in the industry is its growth. A lot of things are different,  easier even. But actors still have to do the audition and reading circuit if they plan to succeed. That part is a constant for any aspiring actor.

How did your family and friends feel when you told them about your desire to join Nollywood as an actress?

Most families are sceptical when one chooses this profession. Mine were sort of alright, I wouldn’t say excited. And I don’t think actors tell people they are acting. One just does it and allows the work to speak for itself.

What are the initial challenges that you faced on the job?

Initial challenges I suppose are  similar to that of other professions. Difficulty getting good roles, low pay, unserious production houses getting actors to audition for projects that never took off, as in everything else. Time irons out these hiccups if one is able to hang in there.

Which of the films made you prominent in the industry?

 I don›t know if I can say it›s one film. It›s just doing several jobs over the years.

What’s your advice to intending or upcoming actresses?

My advice would be to not believe acting is for unserious people,  a high number of successful actors are highly intelligent.  If you are unable to read, interprete, ask questions about the character you are embodying as an actor, you will fall by the wayside. Great diction and great delivery and mastery of your craft will get you farther than a pretty face will. And most of all, seek out auditions, prepare for auditions and attend auditions. Be consistent.

Do you still mingle with your old friends now that you are in the public eyes?

My relationship with my friends is the same, besides which I say constantly that I am not a celebrity, I am a working actor. And outside the television and red carpet, people are generally just people…

If you weren’t an actress what would you have been?

I am still pursuing my documentary making. So if I am not an actor I’ll be a lecturer. I especially love to read, so lecturing will come naturally to me.