Versatile entertainer, Helen Paul, also known as Tatafo, has opened a multi-million naira film school. Christened Helen Paul Theatre and Films Academy, the institution is located at 14-16, Emmanuel Olorunfemi Street, by Orimolade, College Road, Ogba, Lagos.
The Glo ambassador said the opening of the academy is a dream come true, having nurtured the ambition from childhood. She explained that the effort is also geared towards contributing her own quota to the development of the entertainment sector, and education in general.
Helen, who is currently running her Ph.D programme in Theatre-Arts at the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka, said her academy has been fully equipped with modern facilities that will aid easy learning and consequently make her students rub shoulders with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
Some of the courses the institution offers include Cinematography, Acting, Video Editing, Photography, Dance, Basic Presentation, Costuming & Sewing, Hair Styling, Sound Engineering and Graphics Design. The school is a world of total film and theatre productions.
“Right from childhood, I have always looked forward to a day like this –when I will float a school that will help build a better society devoid of charlatans. For some years now, this project has been in the making, and I thank God that it has finally come to stay.
“Our classes are going to be more practical, that is why we invested heavily on the studios and other equipment that will make our students one of the best. We have also created a platform that will make it easier for them to get jobs, before and after they finish from the school,” Helen hinted.
Helen Paul is a comedienne, singer, actress, dancer, compere, playwright and journalist. Perhaps best known as a stand-up comedienne and popularly known as Tatafo, her style is quirky and spontaneous, coupled with her petite stature and a voice range that makes you guess she is less than 10 years old, she holds her audience spellbound anytime she performs.
Aside being a co-host of Jara, a popular Nollywood programme from the stables of M-Net’s Africa Magic, Helen currently presents radio programmes on Naija 102.7 FM and Metro 97.7 FM. She is also a columnist with the New Telegraph newspaper.