Good looking actor, Funsho Adeolu, is of the opinion that all actors must not end up as producers. In a chat with YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s JULIET IKEOKWU, he gave his reasons and more…
What are you working on now?
By working on, do you mean the film I’m acting? Because that’s what I do; I don’t produce movies. Anyway, I’m on break now. I do more of Yoruba movies and I’ve done a lot lately that I can’t count. I just finished a job last week. I can’t tell you the title because it can be changed later.
When will you start producing your own movies?
That producing thing is complex. I want to say that we are getting it wrong and it is because the industry is not stable. That’s why. An actor is an actor, likewise a producer. I am not saying that it is wrong for an actor to produce a movie. It happens all over the world , but so many people produce films for many wrong reasons. If you don’t use me, I will produce with my money and I will use myself. The others are producing because they want to make money. Believe me, an actor that is very busy will not think of producing.
What makes a good actor?
A good actor, from the academic level of thinking, will be an actor that knows why he is an actor and can interpret a script; a down to earth person who is willing to listen to the director.
You are here with your beautiful wife, Victoria…
Always; she is my friend.
How did you meet?
Years back, I was a behind the camera person with Zeb Ejiro. We became friends for like eight years and we got married.
Is she still in the business?
No, she is not.
You are blessed with children?
Yes, I have two boys.
So, what can you say about our new president?
I cannot trust yet. He said he wants to change. I believe in him somehow. From the little we are seeing, some things are changing, but I don’t know for how long. But I only advice that they should not be in a rush. Let’s just give him time to perform. And hope that he will leave a legacy and someone else will continue, like we did in Lagos.
How do you think that the new administration will help the industry deal with piracy?
Piracy is like malaria to the industry. All over the world, malaria kills more than any other sickness. In case the government doesn’t know, the entertainment industry is a money maker than the oil business. When they realize it, they will have need to protect their own, and tap into it as well. And they will not say that there is an option of fine for any pirate caught. If you ask them to pay N50,000,000 as fine, they will pay it. They can make money from the industry, but they are neglecting it.
What can you say about the immediate past administration’s involvement in the entertainment industry?
First and foremost, I didn’t see it. If they say that they tried for the industry, it’s a lie. If you are doing something and you did it with the wrong person, that means that you didn’t do anything. If you go into any business, you will make sure that you are dealing with the right people.
Coming back to you, how do you relax?
I relax at home with my children, I watch movies.
Do you do any other thing aside acting?
No, I do entertainment generally. I anchor events; event packaging. I have a music band. I sing.
Wow! So, are we expecting an album from you in future?
No, I am not an album person.
What advice can you give to the young ones that are confused?
You are a human being first, search for your talent, feed on it, because if you don’t, when you get to heaven, God will slap you.