Top 10 Tips for Becoming a Nollywood Artist

Nollywood, the Nigeria movie industry, has grown from humble beginnings to being one of the largest movie industries in the past decade.

Today, over 100 movies are produced in Nollywood every week and thousands films have been made! This meteoric rise to fame has also led to a number of aspiring nollywood artists looking to make it big in this exciting industry.

If you’re looking to become a nollywood artist yourself, here are some top tips on how to make it happen.

1. Get experience; Though you may dream of being in front of cameras, becoming an actor isn’t easy. Before making your bid for fame, get as much on-the-job experience as possible by participating in local theater productions and working with casting directors to see if it’s really right for you. On-the-job training is paramount in learning how to become a nollywood artist.
2. Focus on acting; If you’re serious about becoming a movie star, you should probably move to Nigeria. But until that time comes, here are 10 ways to make yourself stand out from your fellow actors and get cast in more movies! It takes dedication and perseverance, but with hard work and focus on your craft, you can become one of Africa’s most famous stars, I want to be an actor in Nollywood: It is a difficult task but if you really want it bad enough nothing can stop you from getting there as long as you believe in yourself.
3. Know your story; You need to know what your story is before you can start thinking about how to become a Nollywood artist. Does it include love? Drama? Suspense? You’ll be able to pull your audience in if you really know who you are, and know where you want to go. Many artists try to emulate other more established stars, but few manage to make it work because they’re following someone else’s formula—not their own! Be original, and focus on what makes you special.
4. Surround yourself with people who will help you achieve your goals, No one gets anywhere in life alone, so surround yourself with people who will encourage and motivate you. If you don’t have anyone like that in your circle, find someone. A good way to start is by making friends with local nollywood artists who are doing what you want to do and meeting them regularly to exchange ideas and form lasting relationships. Find out more about various nollywood artress training schools here.
5. Master your craft; As an aspiring artist, you’ll need to learn how to act (or sing or dance), but these aren’t your only skills. You need to know how to do hair and makeup, too. Not just because it makes you look good in movies—but also because it will help you find work behind-the-scenes on movie sets.
6. Learn from established actors; There’s no better way to learn about how to act than by studying those who’ve already mastered it. So pick your favorite Nigerian Nollywood movie stars, buy their movies and watch them over and over again until you have all of their mannerisms, gestures and dialogue memorized. If you’re too shy to buy them (they are in another language), try and watch as many subtitled films as possible to get an idea of what makes a great actor or actress.
7. Read books about success in the entertainment industry, Success in entertainment is determined by an ability to connect with people, create quality content and make things happen. There are countless books on success, like How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Reading these can help you build strong interpersonal skills that will take you far in any industry.
8. Be passionate about what you do; Have you ever seen an actor or actress who seems bored while they’re on set? This is sure to affect their performance, making it bland and uninteresting. To become a successful artist, be passionate about what you do—your work will shine through if you love what you do. Also, don’t get discouraged if things don’t go as planned; even your favorite actors have to audition for their roles!
9. Don’t give up!; Making it in any industry is tough, so don’t beat yourself up if you go through long dry spells. Keep your chin up and keep working hard. You never know who you might meet or what new opportunities might open up. Surround yourself with supportive people who will lift you up when times are tough and remind you of your worth even when things seem to be going wrong. People come and go, but family sticks by your side no matter what! When it comes down to it, those are some of your most valuable assets.