ADD an actor to a scriptwriter, a producer to a director and what you will probably get is Fred Okearuere McQuin Amata. Handsome and witty, the Isoko, Delta State indigene and Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Jos is always a delight to interview. The multiple award-winning father of two, in this humour-filled interview with AZUH ARINZE, navigated us through so many waters…
First, what are those things you think we should know about you?
I was born in 1963. Here in Lagos. But I went to school mostly in Bendel State: Warri, Benin and my village (Isoko).
Let’s know some of the schools?
Uvie Nursery School. That was in Warri. Then, I went to Isoko Central School, Oleh. Then, my father (late John IfoghaleAmata) was the District Officer in Isoko. I also went to Bishop Tugwell Primary School in Warri. Then, Hussey College, Warri, Edo College, Benin, University of Jos, where I got my B.A in Theatre Arts. I did my Youth Service in NTA (National Programmes). That’s basically it. I directed my first TV programme for network in 88/89. That was Ripples and thanks to Zeb Ejiro who had confidence in me and my ability. As a youth corper, I worked with Lai Arasanmi and Victoria Ezeokoli. She was the D.P (Director of Programmes) then, so I had a baptism of fire coming straight from a background of theatre arts into an environment of television.
What was it really like working under Dr. Victoria Ezeokoli. What kind of person is she. A lot of people see her as an iron lady. As someone who worked under her, what can you say about her person?
No! I didn’t work directly under her. I only worked in her department, but on several occasions I was opportuned to work on some special assignments that she was directly in charge of. And I found her to be a thorough professional.
What is your definition of acting?
That’s a tough one, because acting is too wide to be restricted to a simple definition. You must have several definitions or approaches to what acting is. First of all, acting is a lie. It is a representation of events that either happened or never happened. On another level, it is the ability to represent characters, capture characters and people as they could have been or were. It is never real. It is make-believe. And to contradict that immediately, there are two levels of acting. One is to be the role and the other is to act the role.
Could you please add more flesh to what you just said?
Now, to act the role, you go through a process or methods. These are the characteristics or nuances that you employ to bring out the role. That is to portray the character. It is called method acting. You go through methods. Now, to the role, it is like saying you become the character you are portraying. So, it has to do with studying the character in certain instances, like where you have to do the role of someone who had existed, like a historical or if for instance you want to play a blind man or you actually go blind-folded for a long period to understand how a blind man feels. It is those characteristics that you exhibit when you go blind-folded that you now develop as part of your repertoire to perform such a role. That’s the basic difference.
When exactly and how did you become part of the acting profession?
My father was a dramatist. He put together a lot of stage plays and I must have been about 6 to 8 or thereabout when I first went on stage in one of my father’s plays.
Can you still remember the title?
The Chosen One. It was a story on King Solomon and his many wives. It was also an allegory of how one prepares to meet Christ on the last day when He comes. All the wives were preparing to be chosen, so they were cooking food, giving him gifts and all that so that they will satisfy him, which is what Christ expects from us. It also had political undertones about Nigeria in the First Republic. I was one of the page boys. We were about six or seven and we had a song to sing for the king. We were sent with gifts and… That’s enough jo!
What was your first experience on stage like?
Well, that (King Solomon) was my first time. It was exciting, enthralling. Even now, anytime I’m on stage, I still feel that way. I even went to Switzerland to perform on stage at a time.
When was that and how was it or how did it go?
Fine. That was either 81 or 82. I can’t remember.
What does Fred Amata detest about himself?
I’ve always found it difficult to answer that question.
Why?
Why should I hate anything about myself? I am a creation of God, beautifully and wonderfully made. Na Bible quote be that o! But I don forget the place wey e dey.
Has Fred got any regret or regrets?
No. Not really. Life is a bit revolving ball of opportunity. And it is my strong belief that most of the events that people regret are actually situations brought about to make you a better person, to give you a better understanding of your environment and your person.
Who is your source of inspiration?
My father did a film in 1957 called Freedom. Now, when we were growing up, it was the era of mobile films, open air films…So, while growing up and while every other person was talking about, “Men, you see John Wayne for dat film,” I was tripping for John Amata. That’s my father (he reminds me, standing up immediately to bring some photographs of him and some white men in Freedom). The film had a cast of over 10,000 people and was translated in so many languages.
Who do you look up to now as a model and source of inspiration?
Jesus! But on a more mundane level, I look at some black American actors/directors like Spike Lee, Eddie Murphy, Mario Van Peebles…
Let’s talk about your favourite things, beginning from colours. Which are your favourites?
Do I have any favourite thing? I don’t think I have any favourite colour.
We are sure you must have a favourite food. Which is it?
Oh! I have a favourite food and that will be starch and banga soup served with fresh fish.
People say you womanize?
People say a lot of things.
But do you womanize?
Why would I want to womanise?
You may want to womanize because you are handsome, you are a star and because a lot of girls are dying to date you?
Really? So, those are the criteria?
Some of them or something like that?
But I thought women prefer men who have money.
Not all women do?
But most women do!
Let’s get more serious. The general consensus is that Fred womanizes. True or false?
Azuh, quite frankly, do I look like a womanizer to you? People just like to imagine things to satisfy the kind of people they should have been. I’m not.
Okay, do you think you will ever get to better what you did in Mortal Inheritance. A lot of people say you were extra-ordinarily good there? And that it remains your best role till date?
I don’t believe that any performance that I have put up is my absolute best. I believe that there are still a lot of potentials in me and that whenever the right script, the right environment, the right things, all present themselves, I can always better my best at any such time.
But people say it’s your best role so far?
That is totally impossible for me to accept. I don’t even think that there is any role for me to accept as my best because each role has its own peculiar complexities.
What about your worst…?
The same applies.
What is the highest amount you have ever collected as an actor?
I’ve not really collected much as an actor. As you know, I don’t do too many acting jobs. I select my jobs.
We know, but tell us the little, little amounts you collected for the few roles you have interpreted?
I did most for my friends and family members.
Without collecting a dime?
Wrong. I collected things. I collected dough.
Like?
Like money wey I no suppose to dey allow you discuss for your paper.
What’s the lowest that you have ever collected?
My lowest for home video is something in the region of N20,000 or there about.
Which production was that?
I no like all dis money talk o. I am not a money person, you should know that, Azuh…