Femi George, an actor, producer, script writer, and quantity surveyor, in this interview with Osho Oluwatosin, speaks about the challenges he’s faced, what inspires him, and his vision of development in the industry…
Can you shed more light on your career?
My career started in 2010, during my service. I was a major part of a dance drama group. Then, because of my love for music, my love for acting also grew from there because, you know, music is all about entertaining people. So that is where the love and the drive came from. From the music, I was moved to drama group and from there, we started doing competitions round Nigeria. We went to Delta, Abuja and when I got back to Lagos, I started fully but my first major work was in 2012, the first job I featured in.
What were the major challenges faced?
Well, I wouldn’t say many challenges. The only challenge I faced was the aspect of welfare, which the government needs to improve on. On our own part, we will improve on writing good stories, interpretation of roles, but majorly, it’s the welfare, because when there is money, an actor can deliver any role because he or she will be happy and ready to work.
Whenever you are given a script, what inspires you?
When I see a script, it must be script that has a message; that should always be the key. It must have a message. As far as you are a producer, you should ensure your script has good message, and that is what will sell you. If you are able to interpret the role well, the sky is your starting point.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
Well, I only look up to God but I admire senior colleagues that have been there before me. I admire the likes of Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Shatta, Muyiwa Ademola, and many more.
What are you working on presently?
I’m working on my own production; but not this year, probably first quarter of next year.
So far so good, who are those you’ve worked with?
I’ve worked with a lot of people. I’ve worked with Sola Fosudo, Apon bi Epo re, Murphy Afolabi, Yomi Gold, Lateef Adedimeji, Mide Martins, Princess Onanuga, etc.
In the nearest future, who are those you would love to work with?
I would love to work with film makers outside Nigeria but here in Nigeria, I would say Kunle Afolayan.
Take us through your educational background…
My primary and secondary school education was in Lagos, then I proceeded to do a pre-degree in LASU. But along the line, I had to withdraw because there was chaos in school and it wasn’t safe enough. I later got admitted into UNILAG and I graduated in 2008. I studied Quantity Surveying.
