ACTOR INTERVIEW: “Always prepare, prepare, prepare!” Kiki Omeili
My name is Kiki Omeili, I’m the second of four children.I started participating in stage productions in primary school and this continued in secondary school. I went on to study medicine at the college of medicine, University of Lagos and my desire for acting and performing wouldn’t relent; so upon graduation, I started auditioning for roles and they kept coming.
Did you study acting?
No, I did not study acting professionally. I did medicine, I’m an MD but since I started professional work as an actor, I have completed many acting workshops and short courses. I have a natural flair to act, its a craft that needs to be constantly honed and improved. I also do take pointers from actors who have been doing this art longer than I have.
What acting technique to you use?
I’m a method actor. Everything I do is from the”inside-out”. I internalize the character, a start of my acting process, and then I can live-the-life of the character from inside-out or from within. This process, allows me access into the characters internal life. I can think, live and breathe the character. I mentally archive emotional, physical and psychological behaviors, events, gestures that I witness daily to help me bring a character to life.
Describe wrong impressions actors hold about acting
A common belief is ‘that as long as you can act, you can rely on your talent and spontaneity to see you through a scene’. This is a misconception, it is not true. An actor constantly needs to prepare. Actors need to understand and research a character before attempting to play that character. This way you can become the character and interact with events, situations like the character would do. Spontaneity is a start, but can only take you so far.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
I definitely do. Like I mentioned previously, knowing how to act is a craft that needs continual improvement. I like to learn from veterans who have been around for a long time and can teach me things that I don’t know.
What acting books do you read?
Quite a number of them, notable among which is”The Actor’s Bible”. It deals with everything from the decision to become an actor and what to expect, to acting technique, to exercises, the whole works.
How do you keep fit as an actor: mentally, physically?
Physically, I do stretches and breathing exercises. A great deal of acting believability has to do with voice tone and projecting. Rooting your breath so that it comes from the diaphragm makes it easier to control your voice. Mentally, I observe people a lot and see how they react to people and situations. It gives me a wide-range of reactions to choose from, depending on what character I’m playing.
“STING”featuring @OOOyekunle and @kikiomeili directed by @stanleedirector is screening @ silverbird VI 2pm!EKOIFF pic.twitter.com/Jg44RKSSMK
— Kiki Omeili (@kikiomeili) November 20, 2014
When you are offered a role, what do you do next?
I read and digest the script with the intent to understand the story world and then my character. I ask questions about why the back-story of my character. I explore her choices, the ‘why’ she made those choices, and the events in her past that molded her into the ‘who’ that she is. Understanding how the character thinks helps me as an actor to bring the character to life.
How do you take a character in a script to an honest, believable and breathing person?
I have a process as an actor, this process helps me to make the same choices that the character I play will make at rehearsal or when shooting a scene. When I know the back-story of the character, or/and understand what her person is, I can make organic choices and recreate her actions and reactions. Everything comes from the inside. At that moment, I am the character. I can also draw on my experiences and relate it to the character. Listening another key tool for the actor. I listen to actors in a scene, so I can give a honest response or reaction to what they are bouncing off me. Believability is everything.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
I bounce my lines off my co-actors to make sure that we get it right. I also love to share a joke or two. Laughing helps to keep me relaxed.
Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Once. I had to do an emotional scene with an actor who confronted me, after she found I betrayed her friendship. The choice I had to make from the script, was to be ‘in remorse’, yet I was to equally defend what I had done. I chose to cry as a remorseful reaction, and shout at her that I believed what I did was the right thing to do. The scene result was quite intense.
Describe a memorable character you played?
I played “Titi Haastrup” in the 2012 feature film “Married but Living Single”. She was a delightful schemer. She made her choices, independent of who it affected or didn’t affect. She had no scruples stepping on anyone so long as she gets all she wanted. That character is nothing like my real person, so playing her was quite the memorable experience.
What do you want most from a director?
I prefer to hold a discussion on the story/screenplay to feel each other, and see if we have the same understanding of the character. I need her (the director) to trust me, give me the room to express myself. I appreciate a director who tells me exactly what he/she wants and is still open to my own suggestions.
What actor do you long to work with?
Nse Ikpe-Etim. I think she’s a fabulous actor and I’d love to see how we’ll feed off each other if I get the opportunity to work with her.
What advice would you give actors around the world?
I think that it is important to remain humble, focused and consistent. Always prepare, prepare, prepare! Get to constantly improve yourself as an actor and hone your craft.
Briefly write about your career
In 2011 I got the role of Debbie in the TV series “Behind the Smile”. In 2012 I teamed up with the director of “Behind the Smile”, Tunde Olaoye, to star in her debut feature film “Married but living single” where she worked with Funke Akindele, Joseph Benjamin, Femi Brainard and Joke Silva. Omeili has had roles in a number of TV series including “The Valley Between”, “Nesrea Watch”, “Lekki Wives” and “Gidi Culture”. Asides from my acting roles, in 2011 I hosted the Dance reality TV show “Dance 234”. I also host the health segment on Smooth FM’s Saturday morning radio show called “Balancing Life” and I writes numerous articles in online blogs.
I also “emcees” various events and has done voice-overs for projects including LG and the MTN world cup countdown programme in 2009. In October 2012, I received the award for the ‘Best Actress (Supporting Role in an English language film)’ at the 17th African Film Awards in London. In August 2013, it was announced that Lekki Wives would be renewed for a second season, and my contract was renewed to reprise the role of Lovette. In May 2014, I was listed among the top 25 New Faces of Nollywood by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) Newspaper, I had also been listed by Nigerian tabloid newspaper ‘The Sun’ as one of Nollywood’s fastest rising stars earlier in 2014. Wikipedia
