Actor, Tobi Makinde, tells BLESSING ENENAITE about his career, challenges and other issues
W hat inspired you to be an actor?
I won’t particularly say that I was inspired by anything, because acting has always been a part of me from a very young age. When one unconsciously has a gift with supportive parents, that helps to harness one’s gift. Basically, my parents were a major influence in my decision to be an actor. They never discouraged me and they saw the need for me to pursue that gift. At age seven, my dad introduced me to my first role in ‘Silence’, which was produced and directed by Tunji Bamishigbin in 1997/1998. From that point, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What are the challenges you’re facing in your career?
The challenges are many. After my first acting role, I didn’t get any job till I was 13 years old. Then, I starred in a popular television series, ‘Kamson and Neighbours’. A lot of people both in Nigeria and outside the country loved the series then. I was enjoying fame at a very young age but it was short-lived. After a couple of years of that series running, I went to square one. In my head, I thought that after that role, I had proved myself that I am a good actor and producers would naturally use me for jobs, and I didn’t have to go for auditions. However, the reverse was the case.
After that series ended, I had to go back for auditions. I was now wondering if I didn’t know how to act or if these people didn’t watch ‘Kamson and Neighbours’ (smiles). That was the point that I knew that the acting industry is not a child’s joke. I had to fight, cross all the hurdles and rise through the ranks.
While studying Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, I still went for auditions. However, I was turned down many times. I skipped classes at times and I would probably get one or two scenes, a non-speaking role or a ‘waka pass’. This made me doubt myself, but I had to put that aside. I had to face the struggle. Hearing the stories of other pioneers in the industry made me strive. If I had not faced those challenges, I would not be where I am today.
What are your notable achievements so far?
My notable achievements will include my role in ‘Kamson and Neighbours’. Some people still remember my role as Nathaniel even though I was a young nerdy boy with glasses then. After that, I will say ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ is another notable achievement. It is not like I did not do other stuff in-between. When people see me and they are struggling to say my name, I help them say, ‘Are you trying to call me Nathaniel of Kamson and Neighbours, Timini of Jenifa’s Diary, or Samson of My Siblings and I?’ I also played a role in ‘Omo Ghetto the Saga’. These are my notable achievements and there are still more to come.
How will you describe the impact of ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ on your career?
‘Jenifa’s Diary’ was a blessing to my life. I have been looking for the opportunity for a long time. Before I got the role, I almost quit acting because I wasn’t getting roles. I felt that since I studied Theatre Arts, I would be a coach for actors and a professor in the course. This propelled me to do my Master’s at UNILAG in 2015/2016. During my Master’s, an audition notice came from Scene One Production for a new project they were about to do titled, ‘Industreet’. Sincerely, I did not want to go because I had gone for several auditions where I was not later selected, and I knew how the crowd would be. However, one of my friends encouraged me to go. I got the role on ‘Industreet’ after so many hurdles.
After that, Funke Akindele (Scene One Production boss) asked me what I do asides acting. I told her I didn’t have a job because I was doing my Master’s at that time. That was it! I just became a production manager overnight with her company. Akindele is someone who believes one can always do something and learn if one is willing. I was initially a crew member of ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ before an opening for Timini’s role came up. She told me that I am a very good actor and that she had penned a role for me to become Jenifa’s personal assistant (Timini). That was how that character came to life. That became my turning point. There is nowhere I go that people don’t refer to me as Timini or Nathaniel. However, Nathaniel’s character was a long time ago and some people don’t remember the character anymore, but Timini’s character is still fresh.
After featuring in the series, I have got more fans from England, Namibia, The Gambia and France. I am wowed that I am known in these countries. The reach has been crazy and I can’t explain it. This project has been very impactful on my career and it re-announced me to my world. I have gone from being an actor to a director in the series. I am very grateful to Akindele for the platform.
Some have said that Funke Akindele is a very strict person. What do you have to say about this?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Akindele is the easiest person to work with. She has run Scene One Production for about 14 years now, while she has been acting for over two decades. This is because she is strong and faces her job, especially knowing that the industry is male dominated. She has to be dogged and strict to excel. That is what has kept her business moving. All the content she has done has been successful so far.
How will you describe your relationship with Akindele?
It goes beyond work. She is like a mother to me because the training she gave me is what I am supposed to pay to learn in a film school. However, she gave it to me on a platter. It is by resilience and not by sleeping or chilling. She is God-sent to me and other people. She is an amazing person.
Will you say studying Theatre Arts has helped you master your craft?
Yes, it did in many ways. The first thing Theatre Arts gave me is discipline. It is the reason I could cope and align with Akindele’s vision when I joined ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. In terms of acting, it was a different ball game entirely when I gained admission to study the course and I started doing stage plays. I was used to screen acting. Screen acting is a soft life (laughs). One can forget a line and it will be re-taken unlike on-stage acting.
Have you ever been affected by peer pressure?
I am someone that is not affected by peer pressure. That is supposed to be a gift and I am thankful for it. The training from my parents moulded me that way. I am not the regular kind of actor who does things to blend with the crowd.
What are the major decisions you have taken that have helped your career?
One of them is the decision to be patient. I feel that it is one great virtue that many people don’t possess and I am thankful that I have it. If I wasn’t patient till when I went to the audition to act with Akindele, I may still do well but I may not be doing what I love. I also thank God for the decision to study Theatre Arts because I knew I needed grooming.
What keeps you going?
It is the love for what I do because sometimes acting can be hard and inconvenient.
What are your other areas of interest?
They include producing, directing, writing and other parts of filmmaking generally. If I have the chance, I would like to learn cinematography.
