I carefully choose movies these days —Actress Amanda Ebeye

From Clinic Matters, a TV series, where she played a young nurse, Nollywood actress, Amanda Ebeye has risen to the top of her career. The mother of one is currently shooting her first TV series; it’s entitled, ‘It’s a Crazy World’. The series, which features seasoned actors such as Bob Manuel Udokwu and Grace Amah expounds the impact of social media on society. Ebeye told Newton-Ray Ukwuoma in this interview how social media has also shaped her career among other things.Excerpts:

 Why is the story of your new series, “It’s A Crazy World,” woven around women and social media and why did you choose the title?

At first, I wanted to call it ‘The Wives’, but there are lots of movies with similar names out there. I decided to go with the title because of the content I’m shooting. It’s a comedy series. You will find women competing among one another. You will find them struggling. It’s funny series and at same time, there are things to learn from it as it touches every aspects of life. I wrote some of the script but I have writers who also worked on it for me. The series is about the challenges of using the social media.

We are trying to make people see the vices of social media. It’s unarguable that it has made people rich; it has changed the lives of some people. It has connected the world together. But then there are some other bad sides of social media. It has destroyed a lot of people that don’t know how to use it. People get intimidated and depressed over the fine photos they see on social media. So “It’s A Crazy World” has been put together for you to see what happens behind those lovely, smiling photos.

Do you have any personal experience that featured on the series?

I’m on the social media all the time. I’m an actress. But I’m an extremely private person, so to smile and take photos to put on social media is a lot of work. But I understand what it’s like to stay relevant on those new platforms.

How many hours do you spend on social media?

To be very honest, in a day I can spend 20 hours on the social media.

What’s your favourite social media?

Instagram. I like Twitter but I won’t choose it over Instagram.

How did you pick your cast for the series?

I developed the idea in 2017 when I was in film school in Canada. I just want people that command respect in the industry to be in my movie. Over there, I thought to myself, who could pull off the role of Don in the movie and I knew it would be Bob-Manuel Udokwu. Because he is very good at what he does. He is one of my best actors. When it was time to look for the wives, I know Grace Amah would always play the Kemi role well. Then other ones I picked also fit into their roles perfectly.

How easy was it for you to get them to be on your set, all together?

We thank God for Instagram. Most of them, I sent them Direct Messages (DM) and they responded. I got their contacts, chatted them up. Bob-Manuel was the only person I wouldn’t get on Instagram because he is not on Social media. So, I got his contact, called him up, spoke with him and he came on board. He didn’t give me any stress.

It’s obviously going to be a long shot. How has the chemistry been on set?

It has been amazing. Talking about working with these professionals, it has been brilliant. Because they just know what to do. For them, acting is just in-born. They take their lines so smoothly, because they have been in the game for so long. They put themselves into the character and deliver perfectly.

From the look of this beautiful location in Victoria Garden City (VGC), one could tell you have spent quite a sum on location alone. What is your budget like?

Thank God you know. Everything I’ve spent and still spending is close to 30million naira and over.

Are you doing this alone or collaborating with some investors?

I couldn’t do this alone. I had to sell the idea because I had to go from budget to budget. I started with N10m, then 15, then 25, now I know it might surpass N35m. I pray I make my money back and also be able to pay my investors. They trusted me with their money, so I don’t want to disappoint them.

How confident are you about recouping your money?

I’m very spiritual. I tell God the little one I have, please use it to bless my hustle. I put in my money, my sweat, so I believe God will bless me abundantly.

When are you planning to release the first few episodes?

June. It would be ready for all.

Where do you plan to air it?

Right now, my target is African Magic Showcase, family and any other.

Why did you decide to go into production?

I told myself, I don’t just want to be an actress because no matter how you act, you can’t be richer than your producer. So, I went back to rethink. So, I am now I’m an actress, producer and filmmaker.

Now that you are a filmmaker, are you going to be over Asaba movie roles?

Well, it’s not over for me for anything. I just like following my life, steps by steps. I do plan my life, but sometimes you see yourself doing what you had planned never to do again. But right now, I have the right to tell my own stories the way I want it. I now have my own world, to do my own stories. I still like Asaba movies. I am not saying, “Never” to anything. That’s still where they money are made.

What are the challenges of being a first time TV series producer?

The challenge is budgeting. The light situation.  We are shooting for 30 days. When I went to make inquiries about renting cameras and lights, the amount I was told was so shocking I had to start buying my own equipment to add to the ones I already had. Then feeding all the cast and crew for that number of days is not an easy task. They are my responsibility till the shoot is done.

How do you create time for your son?

My son is not here. My mom went to Canada to stay with him. So, my family is always there to support me.

What would you say is the proudest thing you have done for yourself?

My son. That’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my life. That’s the only thing I can’t regret. The only person I can’t trade for anything in the world. I can trade this production if the worse comes to worst (laughs). But my son, never!

What is the one habit you are addicted to?

Well, I’ll say going late for meetings or an appointment. Then I have a sweet tooth. I love chocolate and other sweet stuff. I have to struggle to keep fit.

What is that one thing you can’t wait to tell your son?

I tell him I love him every day. But on a deeper level, I can’t wait to tell him that no matter what he does, he would get married someday but he should always have a place in his heart for me. I pray every day that my daughter-in-law would be good to me. I just don’t want anyone to turn my son away from me.

Are you scared that one day a lady would come and take your son away?

I get scared of that all the time. Then people tell me that maybe I should try and have another child because it’s always my son all the time.

So, when are you having more kids?

I’m not a regular girl. My dreams and aspirations are different. What other women might be dreaming about are the same thing I don’t want. When it comes to giving birth, I really don’t think I want all my children to come from me. I would wait to see what happens in the nearest future. I want to adopt. Right from when I was much younger, I dreamed of the day I’d be able to say this; that I want to adopt kids. I look at those kids that don’t have parents and I keep wondering why we have to keep giving birth, when there are already lots of kids out there to take care of. Adoption is my priority than giving birth to my biological children.

What kind of role do you play at this stage of your career?

I play all roles but I cannot be nude.

Do you have regrets, looking back at some roles you had played at the beginning of your career?

There are lots of them I can count. Then when everyone wants to be popular and pay bills you just pick up any role given to you. That’s why I tell people not let this industry pressurise you to do what you don’t want to do. There were movies that I had done in the past, but if you bring the scripts to me now, I’ll turn them down.