BEVERLY HILLS, May 24, (THEWILL) – The Chief Executive Officer of US based-Uddy Udoh Productions, Uduak Udoh, speaks with UDEME UTIP on her role in the entertainment industry and other matters. Excepts:
You are making waves in your acting career in a country dominated by whites. How did you get there?
As a matter of fact, I started acting in Nigeria, that was 2012 and it was an indigenous movie. After that I acted in three movies still in Nigeria then I went back to the US and I started producing my own movies. I produced for the church first in 2014, then I started Uddy Udoh Productions & Uddy Udoh Films in 2015 and started producing my movies. The film I produced for the church was a beautiful story: Troubled Woman. I was the lead actress.
You are first a nurse. What is the relationship between your medical profession and entertainment?
You may see this differently, but they are kind of related. I am a nurse by profession. I started my nursing career in Nigeria before I left and I’m still practicing as a nurse but you see, entertainment is part of me. I started acting right from primary school then a little bit in secondary school and in the school of nursing. With all that, I had never thought of acting as a career until I joined the Navy. Also, I attended a church where I was a key member. I wrote scripts for them each time they had conventions. I didn’t even know that I was serving as a script writer. I usually just wrote and directed them on stage. Then someone told me “You know what? This is awesome. Just keep doing it. When you get to the US, you can develop your talent”. When I went to the US, I started acting at church and it was there I discovered my talent. Then I decided to give it a shot in Nollywood.
How challenging has it been so far?
I can’t say I have gone to any school although I have taken some online courses on production but I earn on the job. Each movie that I have produced is different. The challenge is the kind of people you meet. Some people feel that they have been in the industry longer than you. Some even act like they are the owners of the industry and won’t even want to give someone a chance. That has been my challenge. Still, I have met some wonderful people. I have also had challenges like traveling from US to shoot in Nigeria. I’ve had a lot of challenges with obsolete equipment though there is a lot of improvement. Some people don’t understand that.
You have met and interacted with producers from both Hollywood and Nollywood. How do you view the two industries? Do you think that Nollywood movies could reach Hollywood standards someday?
If you want to compare Hollywood and Nollywood movies, you’ll see that they are different. I give kudos to them: they are wonderful. Hollywood producers invest a lot into production. We are trying with Nollywood. From when I started in 2014, we have been improving but the two industries cannot be compared. We are not on the same level but we are trying. We might meet up one day but I’m not sure. we have improved since we started and we’re still trying.
How financially viable do you think the movie industry is?
You need to go to cinemas and see what people make from movies. When you invest good money in your production, you make quite a lot of gain. African stories are rich and people like epic movies. When you use obsolete equipment to produce films, nobody will patronize you but if you invest well, it goes a long way. It is about money and it is very rewarding financially.
In the midst of some great names in the industry, you are already winning awards. What would you say has been the secret of your success?
As I said, each day I face new challenges. I’m definitely not near where I want to be in the entertainment industry and where I was when I made my first production is definitely not where I am today. I get better each day because of my directors. They help me a lot plus the encouragement from other actors. I also read a lot because this is an industry that I just found myself in. I watch other people’s productions and I ask a lot of questions. I have failed in some areas to be very honest. I have also lost money but I still go on. Each production is different. With the help of my directors, actors and technical crew, I just keep going.
What are some of the awards you have won in the course of your acting career?
Uddy Udoh Productions and the movies that we have done to the glory of God, have won awards. Like “John Bosco in America” which was shot in 2015 won African Oscar Award as best in Cinematography in 2015. We were also nominated for best sound, best comedy in diaspora. I acted in Okobo, an epic movie. I was a supporting actor. I won the best supporting actor award in Los Angeles Nollywood Films Association (LANFA). I did ‘Loving Daniella’ where I won the best actress in an all-black festival in Las Vegas (Black Film Festival) . Our Teresa Edem was awesome as the lead actress. The last production before the Corona pandemic ‘The Only Celebrity in Nigeria’, I acted as a supporting lead and I won best supporting lead.
Who would you say positively influenced you growing up?
My late mother, Obonganwan Eme Eyo. If it weren’t for her, I won’t be the person I am today. She was so focused. She retired as teacher. Even in her 50s, after having me and my siblings, she went to the University of Calabar to get a degree in Education. Whatever she was determined to do, she always did it. When I was at the school of nursing, she always encouraged me to be the best that I could be. Even when I started my movie production, she was my number one fan. I remember the first movie I acted in, it was an epic movie. I used all her wrappers. Even other actors used her wrappers and she was so excited about it. I learnt a lot from my mum and if it weren’t for her, the woman I am today would just be a fantasy. May her soul rest in peace.
The society we live in frowns at successful single women. As a woman who falls into this category, what are your thoughts on this?
I am a single mother. I have a daughter. Our society here in Nigeria frowns at a lady who can feed herself and isn’t married. However, in the society that I am in, that isn’t a big deal. I am happy. I can take care of myself and my daughter. No one should judge a female based on her marital status. They should see her capabilities instead. They should see how she can contribute positively to the society. Marriage is a good thing, but that doesn’t mean an unmarried woman should be judged. Just let her be herself. I haven’t had any sad experiences but people are kind of intimidated. A woman is always a woman and they should know that.
Where would you want to see yourself in the next few years?
I would want to make movies that would educate. I will want to make a name such that every household would want to buy Uddy Udoh movies because of the nature of enlightenment the storyline would bring to them.
