On this difficulty of “meet the celebs,” a column devoted to specializing in Nollywood expertise, Segilola Ogidan Take us by way of her inspiring profession, from her directorial debut to her AMVCA nominations and extra.
In our earlier function, we caught up with Uzor is marriedChatted with us about his performing profession, his Hollywood debut and his roles in latest movies”What about us?” For those who missed it, please catch up right here.
Segilola Ogidan has created totally different characters – Tonye in “Males’s Membership”, Ajike in “Christmas at Naija” and Zhu in “Over the Bridge” Jumoke, each position showcases her versatility as an actress. A graduate of Media Arts from Royal Holloway, College of London, Seguirolla has maintained an unwavering authenticity all through her journey.
Whereas many actors uncover their ardour for the craft later in life, Seguilola knew from an early age that she was destined to be on stage. She grew up watching dorothy Dandridge film, think about your self enjoying the position performed by Dorothy.
At the moment, Seguirolla just isn’t solely an important actor, but additionally a director and author. Though she wears many hats with grace, performing is the place her true coronary heart lies. Her position in “Crossing the Bridge” earned her a nomination for Finest Actress at this yr’s AMVCA, cementing her standing as a Nollywood main girl and a rising star on the worldwide stage.
When she’s not on set or actively caring for her two energetic boys, you will discover Serguiola engrossed in guide. If she weren’t within the movie business, she’d dream of dwelling within the picturesque village of Mougins within the South of France, the place she runs Lola’s Café, a comfy café serving connoisseur espresso, baked items, and exquisite artwork.
In our dialog, Segilola displays on her journey as a author, actor and director, shares her ideas on Nollywood’s evolving panorama and offers some tips about her upcoming initiatives – Wole Soyinka Biopic.
Hello Segilola, nice to have you ever on BellaNaija’s Meet the Stars present. Are you OK?
Hello Bella Naija! I am positive, thanks, thanks for having me.
Once you’re not on set, whether or not performing or directing, what do you love to do in your free time?
I am a spouse and mother to 2 superb boys who hold me very busy and on my toes! After I’m not actively “mummifying”. It is a type of uncommon instances once I’m utterly immersed in a guide! I like studying.
You are generally known as a author, director and actor – which of those three roles has introduced you essentially the most satisfaction and pleasure?
What I need to say is the performing. It is actually not straightforward to place your self in another person’s footwear and have thousands and thousands of individuals imagine you’re that character. So when I’ve the chance to step into a posh position that’s far faraway from myself and execute it efficiently, I really feel full of a way of accomplishment and pleasure.
You’ve gotten a BA in Media Arts and an MA in Movie Research. Did you at all times know you needed to be an actor?
Oh sure! Ever since I used to be a little bit woman! I as soon as watched a Dorothy Dandridge film and imagined that I used to be the particular person enjoying the character she performed. One other factor I did and nonetheless do is I might create scenes and act them out in entrance of a mirror. When my household (together with my youngsters) discover out I do that, they discover it bizarre!
Let’s discuss your directorial debut, “Tainted Canvas.” What’s it wish to step behind the digicam and convey your inventive imaginative and prescient to life?
So, earlier than I made Stained Canvas, I used to be working behind the scenes as a producer. I’ve additionally directed just a few quick movies, so that is nothing new to me. Whatever the energy of the script, it is a fairly touching drama, and filming in Nigeria was a brand new and thrilling expertise. Additionally, as a director, the period of time spent on principal images is a complete new expertise and my, is it exhausting as a result of as a director your mind is actually in overdrive with no breaks! After I act, I am solely in it on scheduled days, so I’ve downtime, however, once I’m directing, I am in it from the start. I feel the depth was additional heightened by the truth that I additionally wrote the screenplay! Ha ha. So actually, from the start to the tip, I used to be actively concerned.
“Over the Bridge” was a hit and obtained a number of nominations and awards, together with Finest Artwork Course and Finest Cinematography from the AMVCA. How does it really feel to be part of such a critically acclaimed movie?
Let me begin by saying that once I acquired nominated for Finest Actress for this film, I used to be on cloud 9! Properly, that’s out of the way in which (laughs), being part of Over the Bridge was completely God-orchestrated, and it’s so compelling due to the massive success of this emotionally lovely, nuanced movie. Additionally, I want to say that this film did an important job of creating me as a Nollywood heroine and an actor to observe within the worldwide area.
What’s one factor individuals could be stunned to find out about you?
I am an important prepare dinner and an important baker. I sure Throw it into the kitchen!
If somebody hasn’t seen any of your movies, which one would you advocate they begin with and why?
I like to recommend beginning with “A Naija Christmas” as a result of it’s enjoyable, light-hearted and stuffed with Christmas spirit! I imply, who doesn’t love Christmas film? I do know I do know.
As a movie producer, what are your ideas on the route Nollywood is heading?
Are there any modifications you’d wish to see made within the storytelling or manufacturing? Nollywood is a thriller! One minute I believed the route it was taking was clear, however the subsequent minute it utterly flipped and folks have been again to being confused by it. One factor I’ll say is that I am happy with the ever-improving manufacturing high quality and the truth that filmmakers are taking parts like story and performing extra severely. The business is unquestionably on an upward trajectory and increasingly more individuals within the worldwide area are taking extra of our merchandise extra severely. So every part seems optimistic. Plus, I am tremendous excited to see extra feminine administrators killing it!
For those who weren’t in performing or filmmaking, what different profession do you suppose you’d have had?
Oh, I completely need to personal a restaurant and artwork gallery! My retirement plan is to personal a café in Mougins (a tremendous quiet village within the south of France) the place I promote scrumptious espresso (I’m a espresso connoisseur) in addition to my baked items and exquisite artwork ( A few of them have been painted by me) which I acquired throughout my travels). You are available in, take pleasure in scrumptious espresso and pastries, chill out and store for artwork. It will likely be known as Lola’s Café. Are you able to inform me I’ve considered this? Ha ha!
Lastly, of all of the superb initiatives you may have labored on, which one has been essentially the most rewarding to you and why does it maintain such a particular place?
It have to be “Crossing the Bridge.” My life went by way of some profound modifications throughout filming and I grew a lot as a girl, a inventive, a mom, a spouse and an actor. It marked my evolution and ascension into the subsequent degree and section of my life the place I discover myself in a happier and safer place.
Thanks a lot for chatting with us, Segilola! We’re excited to see what’s subsequent for you.
Thanks a lot for having me! Such an honor. I am excited so that you can see my subsequent movie too…trace…it is the Wole Soyinka biopic.
