Hi guys! Happy
new week, it’s the last week in November and I’m super excited the year is
coming to an end. Today, we are crushing
on someone who has made a name for himself in the Nigerian Entertainment industry with superb acts in movies like Surul'ere, Gidi Up, Ojukokoro and Africa Magic’s 'Hustle' among others. He's an actor, voice over talent and MC, our Man Crush is the talented Seun Ajayi. Enjoy ;-)
Hi Seun!
1) You’re an actor, why did you choose
acting and how did you know this was what you really wanted to do?
SEUN: I would
honestly put it differently, that acting chose me. You see in my late teens I
was in a bit of a struggle to find my identity and what my passion was. I had
at many different times been a performer in church and other smaller platforms
but I never thought of it professionally. One day while I watched the making of
Spielberg's Minority Report, I was enthralled by the world behind creating such
magic. That day, I just knew it was movies for me. Took a while to make the
transition to professional levels but eventually that happened.
2) Your role in ‘Surulere’ gained quite a lot
of traction, how did you prepare for it?
SEUN: Arinze in
Surulere was quite the experience, it was very refreshing working with the
Director; Mildred Okwo, who I have to thank for guiding me along the lines of
bringing that character alive. Weeks before we
hit production she would have long conversations with me about the
character and the film. She did her directorial work way before the camera was
powered on. This helped me to create a robust persona off the pages of the
script.
3) What do you love most about your career?
SEUN: What I like
most about my career is the privilege of influence that it gives me. How people are awestruck by the fact that I
play a character they can relate with. To me I'm just doing my job but to them
it's like magic. I love that about my work.
4) Tell
us one valuable lesson you’ve learnt from acting and how it relates to real
life.
SEUN: There is a
depth of concentration that is required for me to hit those emotional notes in a performance. Whether it's a deeply
emotional scene or one where I make an absolute fool of myself. There has to be
a mental commitment to seeing it through, else I won't believe the performance
and if I don't... nobody else will. The lesson here is, If you don't believe in
your dreams and have the unwavering focus required... then no one else can buy
into the vision.
5) What’s one(or more) Hollywood
movie(s) you wish you could co-star in?
SEUN: 1. 300 (If they ever make another instalment)
2. Anything Ridley Scott directs
3. I'd like to voice one of Disney's
animated features, maybe play a villain.
6) What are three things that make you happy?
SEUN:
1.Faith in God
& presence of Family
2.Living at full
potential
3. Conquering
things that scare me
7) What’s one piece of advice that you hold
dearly.
SEUN: When you are
presented with two choices, take the path that secures your tomorrow, not the
one that gives pleasure only for now.
8) Please tell us one thing you would like to
change in the Nigerian film industry?
SEUN: The thing that
consumes my heart daily is the lack of financial stability among many
professionals within the industry, on the scene and behind the scenes. I think
it's a state of emergency and we need to talk about it and start fashioning
ways to end the cycle of lack.
9) What’s on your mind this Monday?
SEUN: This Monday I am
thinking a lot about just being better; being a better husband and family
member, a better actor, a better friend, a better citizen of the country and
the world. I am sent to these different sects of life and I am poised to do
right by them all, so you see my point.
Stay Inspired!
PS: If you have
anyone you’d like for me to interview, please let me know in the comments
section.
