By Ovwe Medeme
Precious Oliver is one man who has carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian movie industry. The artiste who combines moviemaking, acting, and singing alongside his entrepreneurial skills recently talked to Reporter, Ovwe Medeme, on the history behind the Nollywood Beach, his career as an entertainer as well as his upcoming productions. Excerpts:
When did you first get the dream of setting up the Nollywood Beach?
The dream came to me some years back when as a movie producer, I found myself in this beach. I asked myself, how the industry could have its own beach because I figured out that the celebrities didn’t really have a particular place where they called their own. That was how the idea came to me. I decided that even if it was small; I would get a place and make it our own so we could come to relax without disturbance from anybody. When I got the idea, I had to go register it with CAC even before I had the facilities. After the registration, I started looking for a venue. You might not believe it but I started this place with just a table and a chair. Today as you can see, we have moved ahead.
What did it take you to acquire this place?
It took me good fortune. I cannot really pin point the particular amount I spent but it cost a fortune. Apart from that, I passed through a whole lot of other challenges. In this area, people here normally use the waterside as toilet. I fought the issue. In fact, while pursuing the cause, I almost lost my life. On one occasion, I tried to stop somebody from defecating here and he resorted to fighting and before we knew it, I was accused of killing somebody and over a hundred people were pursuing me wanting to kill me. They didn’t succeed because Ikota Police Station came to my rescue. Since then, they stopped using here as toilet.
What challenges do you encounter in running this place?
One of the challenges we are facing right now is the entrance to the place where some of these village boys collect money. Also, we are also facing challenges of the road. Most times, when there are lots of people coming in, they tend to block the routes. That makes it difficult for vehicles coming in but we are trying our best to ensure that we dispatch some traffic personnel to control the traffic so that our costumers can get here. Also, there is the issue of light. Most of the time, we operate on generator. In the area of security, we have adequate security right now.
So far, what has the reception by Nollywood artistes been like?
I must tell you the truth; they very pleased. Most of them that have been here were happy to identify with our dream because the industry is one. This is actually their beach so they do not have a choice but to embrace it. The place is not limited to movie stars because we have also had musicians and other forms of artistes grace us with their presence.
Did you have issues selling the idea to your Nollywood counterparts?
I didn’t try to do that because in Nigeria, when you are starting off your dream, nobody believes in it until they see it booming. It is a very big issue when it comes to cash and of course, if you are not a businessman, you might not be able to buy the idea until you see it going. One thing we should know is that Nollywood beach is not an individual company. We have a board of directors that dictate the trend here. The acts are embracing it. I believe that if I had first tried to sell the idea to them, they might not have understood my motive but right now, they are all here, even from people outside the country. Also, Nollywood beach is also a TV serial just like the sunset beach in California. It is actually for the development of tourism in Nigeria.
Is it possible for movie producers to utilise the place?
Our idea here is to be close to perfection and what we have here now is of standards. The way other producers can use this place to project our name is by using it as a location. Nonso Diobi for instance will be shooting a music video here very soon. We are also in talks with other movie producers to come and shoot some scenes here. The beauty of it all is that if you are shooting here, nobody disturbs you unlike other places where area boys disrupt productions.
Are you still active as a movie producer?
Of course, I am still very active. What I am doing here is also a part of the movie. It is not just about relaxation. Right now, we are in the planning process of shooting our Nollywood beach serials. The serial is actually a television programme that depicts to a large extent the activities that go on in the beach. We try to address issues like child abuse, prostitution, and illegal drug use. A few weeks ago, NDLEA came here to do their retreat and we also had discussion with some of their top officials. Nollywood Beach TV series will kick against so many societal ills with special focus on the kinds of criminality that happen on the beach. We will not only focus on them, we will also try to suggest corrective measures. Doing business here, I have discovered that there are a lot of runaways from here.
What stage are you with the production?
Right now, we are still putting our scripts together. I am supervising it. In no time, we will be through with the script. We are looking at shooting our pilot in the first week of March. Apart from that, I have other productions that I am working on. What really slowed me down in the area of production is actually this initiative. I did my last movie, the classical fraud in 2007. It is a movie that kicks against fraud.
Did you receive any formal training as a filmmaker?
I go for workshops, some festivals that also create opportunities from training and all. I also obtain some training from Goethe Institute. I am looking forward to going for more professional training and I am thinking of the New York Film Academy.
What fired your interest in movies?
From childhood, I discovered that I have a flair for acting. It is my passion. There is no other thing I think I would have done better. While growing up, those around me encouraged me to go into acting because they saw the natural flair in me. Again, when I want to criticise film, I do it in a balanced way. I believe that to correct something, you have to be a part of it. One of my reasons for going into movies is to be a part of it and also make corrections. I act, I direct, I produce and I am also a musician.
How do you handle all these personalities?
It doesn’t clash because they all fall into the entertainment.
Is there a particular reason you wear dreadlocks?
Actually, the truth of the matter is that I look too gentle, and I discovered that in the entertainment scene, people take advantage of those who look gentle. I remember when I was shooting one of my movies, I had a much longer dread then and people respected me but the director said that the character does not permit me to carry dreads so I had to cut it off. The moment I took it off, all the respect faded away. As an artiste, I have rights to change my looks. Even as it is, there is a commercial reason I am wearing it. There is a concept I have in mind to do about dreads, former and now. Very soon, I will take it off because I don’t like permanent looks.
By Independent