Nollywood movie actor, producer and director, Dadene Oluwakayode Niyiola Richards-Oguntimeyin, popularly called Don Richards, bares his mind to TCM on the challenges and rigours of film making within and outside the country.

For how long have you been acting?

I have been around for a very long time. Precisely, 22 years now. I started as an actor with the English movies in the 1980’s. I later joined Nigerian Television Authority as a non-staff. At NTA, I worked as an assistant to Danladi Bako when he was producing Morning Ride. I also worked with him to produce ‘Mastersports’ which was run by Mitchel Obi, Sam John and Paul Bassey then. After that, I produced 26 episodes of kiddies programme and Story Land with Mercy John. Later, Danladi Bako sent me to Belgrade, Yugoslavia to study Movie Directing. By the time I returned, Bako had left for NFA to become the General Secretary but I continued freelancing there. While there, I met and worked with Tunji Bamishigbin, Ralph Nwadike, Charles Owoyemi and Charles Novia. Now, I am a member of Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Producers Guild of Nigeria and Directors Guild of Nigeria.

When did you switch to the Yoruba movie sector, having started as an English movie actor?

I had my education at Lagos Baptist Academy before proceeding to Abia State University where I studied Economics. But I was so talented in acting and producing that I had to go for other courses in film making, directing and camera attitudes outside that country. It was when I came back that I met some of these Yoruba movie practitioners as they normally held their meetings close to my mother’s place in Bariga. Then they used to see me as an Igbo guy but I was able to convince them and that was how I joined the Yoruba movie industry. I had to bring my wealth of experience from the English line of movie to the Yoruba movie industry and the first Yoruba movie that I produced was Banuso, a three-cast movie with Kunle Afolayan, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and my then girlfriend, Kemi. Afterwards, I produced Agba Omo, Idajo Ola, which featured my wife.

What was it like growing up in Bariga?

I grew up in the most radical part of Bariga which is Idi-Aba in Igbo Igunnu area. The place was a very terrible jungle in that area and one has to be very smart to survive from that area, it was really terrible. Those who are from that area will understand what I am saying better.

Did your parents support your acting career?

Not at all, and that was my major challenge when I started. My dad, especially, was against my interest in acting because of the impression he had of actors in the country. He also hated the lifestyle of entertainers generally. He believed they are irresponsible and aren’t Godly. But I later made him realise that contrary to what he felt then, entertainment is the beauty and heartbeat of the whole world.

How rewarding is acting and directing for you?

The movie industry is really paying my bills. That was what I have been trying to make my dad realise over the years. My first pay was a N1000 in 1999, but now I get about N400,000 for directing a movie and about N150,000 for acting.

Why do you prefer taking violent roles in most of the movies you have acted in?

Well, my role model is Sylvester Stallone and I try to model my acting around that kind of rough character. It put all my energy into any role like any international actor. I don’t talk too much in movies. That is the reason.

What is your take on stereotyping?

People that are allowed to be stereotyped could pass as uneducated ones. If not, they should be able to exchange roles in movies.

Could you give your own assessment of both Yoruba and English movies?

Before now, the English movies used to be ahead. But presently, the level is getting at par. The standard has been balanced. So many of us have gone to school to study these things and we have updated our knowledge of those film making tricks. We are really trying now in the Yoruba movie industry but the only barrier is the language. Despite all the subtitling of the Yoruba movies, they don’t travel as far or wide as the English movies because people prefer the first hand action to what has been translated.

Many have also complained of the appalling subtitling of these Yoruba movies.

You are actually right with that. But I think we are getting better now. This may not be unconnected with the fact that so many of us didn’t go to school. There are too many producers in the industry which isn’t supposed to be. Everybody wants to produce and this has caused so much harm to the industry but through workshops and trainings, we are getting better with our subtitling. We also get lectures during association meetings and they have learnt so much. If you observe very well, from early last year till date, you will see that our subtitling has improved from what it used to be. And I am pretty sure we will get there, but it requires more training.

How are you dealing with female admirers?

That is one thing I have been really cautious about. Women are bound to come around whether one is popular or not. But as a man, one has to use his discretion to decide what to do and how to free oneself from those women. I don’t use a Blackberry phone again because I was always receiving so many requests. I know that it is only the popularity in me that they want and not me as a person. So, I know how to play my cards with them.

Your wife is also an actress.

Yes.

Is she the jealous type?

My wife is an understanding individual and I’m grateful to God for her. We have reached a level of understanding and agreement and that is what has kept us going over the years.

With both of you in the same business, how do you manage your home?

I know how I regulate my home in that regard. For instance, if she has to go to location, I drive her down, stay with her for a couple of hours to understudy the environment and then leave. After production, I will be around as well to pick her up. I know that they could be narrow-minded at times but they won’t want to disappoint their husbands by soiling the man’s name. Nothing is hidden in the entertainment industry. If you start dating a small girl, before you know what is happening, it will be everywhere so, we’re always careful with all that we do.

Would you allow your wife act nude for any amount?

That is not even possible because she can’t even think of accepting that. Acting nude cannot take any actress to the top; it is only God who determines that. So, acting nude isn’t one of the criteria for greatness. It cannot push up any actress’ career. It will only push whoever to having a negative audience. Actors should allow the responsible audience appreciate them. I believe the actress will be ashamed of watching herself act nude. There are so many people who watch our movies, so, we should strive to strike a balance. You can imagine a parent trying to fast forward a scene in a movie just because they don’t want their children to see those nude scenes. We can’t be like those developed countries in that regard. Some of them have decided not to ever get married. Some of our ladies here drive cars given to them by big men outside the industry; men who only want to play around those ladies’ lives.

With the recent inventions of having 3D movies and other latest technology in film making, do you think the Yoruba film makers are up to the task?

Yes, of course. About seven or eight years ago, the level of exposure was not as high as what we have now. We had limited people going to the cinemas to watch movies. But recently, there has been an influx of people rushing to watch movies. Producers are really coming out to spend money these days. We use magic box, Soft Box, 1D, 50D, 5D with lenses, 500mm lens, 35mm lens, adaptor and so many other latest discoveries for production. Production is now getting better and even the English movie guys have started imitating us because we are moving at an alarming rate. Most of our young producers now travel outside the country to study what film making entails and the kinds of camera lenses that should be used.

Do you motivate yourself by smoking or drinking before going on set?

Majority of my colleagues know that I don’t drink or smoke before going on set. Acting is more like a part of me; that is why when I get on set, it always seems like I am under the influence of something. I am an actor, a professional one for that matter and I don’t need to be under the influence of anything to interpret my roles.

Your name, Don Richards doesn’t sound Ondo. How did you arrive at that name?

I had actually prepared to answer this question. When I started out as an actor, I told you that I was with the English movie guys and their nepotism and tribalism were deep at the time compared to the Yoruba. If the Igbo guys discovered that you are a Yoruba, it will be difficult to excel under them. Their unity was very strong at the time and I wouldn’t have been able to penetrate them at the time if I did not device a means. That was how far I can tell you about the name.

Where do you see yourself in this industry in the nearest future?

I see myself at the echelon of film making in this country; a parliamentarian in the entertainment industry. Where the world will come and see the wonders here in our own country.