Veteran Nollywood actors Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Segun Arinze, on Friday held a screen acting class for young actors at the 2016 Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the duo were among top filmmakers and actors who took part in events marking the 13th edition of the annual film festival.
Young and upcoming actors within and outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gathered in their numbers to tap from the wealth of experience of the celebrated Nigerian actors.
The students were taught basic acting skills, before-the-screen manners, and verbal and non-verbal communication skills relative to the motion picture profession.
They were also taught how to perfectly play assigned roles in accordance with a script.
The award-winning RMD told NAN that he was motivated to hold the session because there was need to groom the younger generation of actors to guarantee professionalism in the industry.
“Nollywood has carved a special niche for itself on the global stage, and there is need to sustain that pride of place.
“These young actors are the future of Nollywood, so they need to be encouraged”, he said.
According to RMD, talent alone does not make a good actor, and so there is a need for training and re-training to attain excellence.
He confessed that he was not so good at pronouncing some words of the English language in his early days of acting.
But it was a challenge he overcame through passion and a willingness to learn, which made him to avail himself for training.
“I was born and bred in Warri, and so I was not good at pronouncing some words because of mother-tongue influence.
“I used to pronounce ‘church’ as ‘shursh,’.
“However, the decision to add value to myself as a professional made me improve my speaking and other acting skills’’, he explained.
Arinze, during the session, said talent, supported by confidence, determination and belief in oneself were keys to becoming a good actor.
Over 70 students took part in the acting tutorials and were given certificates of participation.
Others who lectured the budding actors include Francis Duru and Lancelot Imasuen.
NAN reports that the AIFF, which started in 2004, is organised by NAFIFO Ventures Ltd.
It showcases films, actors and filmmakers within Nollywood and beyond.
The 13th edition of the festival with the theme, “Connecting Global Audiences”, held from October 4th-7th at the Siverbird Galleria, Abuja.
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