Interview with Waliu Fagbemi

My Name is Waliu Fagbemi. I am from Oyo state but I live in Lagos. I’m an actor and movie blogger. The first-born from a family of five.I’m currently studying mass communications at Yaba College of Technology.I got my first acting role In the year 2012.I played he role of a burglar in a TV series titled ‘2 sides of a coin’.

indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Waliu: Yes, I did study acting. But I did not really set out to be an actor, initially, music was what I really wanted to do. A few years back, I got an offer to be a background vocalist for a popular artist named Waje.Along the line, I realized that singing is more than just having a good voice, one needs to understand the rudiments of music; which I lacked at that time. So while looking for where to acquire proper music knowledge, I stumbled at ‘PEFTI Film Institute’. While I was there to make inquiries, I saw a couple of young actors dancing joyously on stage like they had just won millions. Their theatric display was so amusing to watch. I instantly felt an inexplicable strange connection with them. Today, my music dream is pending while I’m finding so much joy in acting and filmmaking.

indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Waliu: This might sound cliché but I’m a believer of the Stanislavski’s method of acting. Either when I’m playing an armed robber or the guy with halitosis – I imagine and put myself fully in that character. The method works for me every time.

indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Waliu: Yes I do. I belong to a theatre clique and I attend rehearsals often. I still consider myself an amateur. Last year, prominent Nigerian director, Niyi Akinmolayan, invited me on his set to witness the production process of his highly publicized mental-health themed short film, ROOM 315.

I also recently attended – Master the Craft; an acting workshop organized by top Nigerian actress, Ireti Doyle. I learnt a lot from that experience.

indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Waliu: The last one I read was “Respect for Acting” by Uta Hagen.

indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Waliu: I keep physically fit by exercising and eating right.I don’t joke with my morning tea.I take all kinds of medicinal tea; green,black, oolong just name it.Mentally,I read and meditate a lot. Being an optimist,I think positive and always see the good side of every bad situation. I watch a lot of movies too.

indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
Waliu: When I get a script, I read it many times then I read it again until it sinks in. it’s when I have a proper understanding of the script that I can portray a character the way the director wants it. I put myself in the position of the character which I’m to portray, I imagine the life of the character. Then I get in front of a mirror and interpret the character in different dimensions. The more time I have with a script, the better I get.

indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Waliu: My watchword has always been – ‘’don’t diminish what your character can do because YOU cannot do it’’.Once I remember that word, I go all the way into the character (good or bad)……. I also imagine the character in my head i.e. how the character should talk, walk, laugh, react, respond and so on. Then I go online to do more research about the character..

indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on set?
Waliu: Even though I’m a very playful person, I get very serious when I’m on set. I don’t eat before going on set, I drink a lot of water. I’m the type that won’t smile even if the director cracks a joke between takes. I stay in that mood to avoid being distracted. I try to be in character right from the call time till the end of the shoot.

indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Waliu: The most memorable character I played is a character called ‘’Enu Lee’’ in a popular comedy series titled ‘’Jenifas Diary’’.I played a guy with a terrible mouth odor.*covers face*.Life after playing that character has been a mixture of fun and awkwardness. Awkward in the sense that strangers see me and after saying hello they ask if my mouth truly stinks?

It’s embarrassing but I guess it’s part of what I signed up for… ’’Jenifas Diary’’ is arguably the biggest and most watch comedy series in Nigeria today (even among Nigerians in the diaspora). We shot that episode, which is the pilot, early last year(2015).It was the 1st time my face will make a movie trailer – which makes it even more memorable.

indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Waliu: Trust… I want to trust my director and vice-versa. I want the director to challenge me. I also want a detailed explanation of how the director wants me to execute the job at hand.

indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Waliu: Haa! They are countless. I’m I allowed to choose 2 or more? …I will start with the international ones because I like to dream big….Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, those 2 can do no wrong. In Nigeria, I like to work with Olu Jacobs, Nkem Owoh, Yomi Fash Lanso, Nse Etim, Blossom Chukwujekwu ,Yewande Adekoya, Tina Mba or Caroline King.

indieactivity: Why?
Waliu: All these names that I mentioned are versatile thespians.I admire their works and style of acting delivery because they have a proper understanding of the craft.They are not only movie stars,they are actors with soul

indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Waliu: Acting is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Talk to God about your aspirations. Don’t be caught up or be in it for the glitz and glam. It can bless you financially, emotionally & mentally but it can also turn around to drain you in all these areas. Be prepared for the rollercoaster ride. Be patient. Stay true to your craft. Don’t stop learning. In the midst of all these, have a ‘Plan B’ incase….

indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Waliu: I joined the industry back in 2012 but I started acting professionally 3 years ago. I’ve been part of over a dozen productions.

I’ve acted in ‘2 Sides of a Coin’ – Series (2012) . ‘My Benefactor’ and ‘Heroes and Zeros’ – both features (2012). I’ve had roles in my native tongue, Yoruba, in movies like ‘Arinnakore’, ‘Baba Olowo’ and ‘Kudi Klepto’ (2013).

Months after appearing in the pilot, I got casted for another role, as a day player, in ‘Jenifa’s Diary season 8’.
I will be appearing as a supporting actor in the movie, ‘One Crazy Night’ and I have bit roles in upcoming works like ‘A Rose For Freddie’, ‘ Cornerstone’ by Funke Akindele, ‘Skinny Girl In Transit 4’ and the highly anticipated ‘Gold Statue’ By Tade Ogidan.

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