Actor, Michael Wawuyo Jr., had a candid diagnosis of the problem dragging Uganda’s film industry, and that’s – a lazy attitude of actors not wanting to challenge themselves beyond the bare minimum.
Wawuyo Jr., famed for his role as ‘Brother John’ in Ugandan hit television series, The Hostel, says the vast majority of Ugandan actors want to be spoon-fed, and that this is the only thing standing between their potential and competing favorably on the global scene.
Individual actors must take the initiative to perform beyond just the script, he said, while appearing on the weekly webinar series ‘Let’s Talk Film’, organized by Kampala Film Development Foundation.
“As Ugandan actors, we are lazy and we want to be spoon-fed. It won’t allow us to compete globally. We have actors who come on set and have barely done research. You come on set, do several takes and you say you’re tired, you want to go,” Wawuyo Jr. said on Saturday.
In his view, Ugandan actors won’t be handed a free pass when they audition for roles on international film works, simply because “we did not go to film class because it is expensive”.
The answers to what has kept Uganda’s filmmaking industry behind peers like Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, depends on who you ask, but some of the overarching issues have been the lack of investment especially in hi-tech equipment, training and a weak copyright law that exposes filmmakers to piracy of their work.
Only a handful of Ugandan actors have landed roles on foreign productions.
Actor and Director, Mathew Nabwiso, who in 2013, won the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for the Best Actor in Supporting Role for the film, A Good Catholic Girl, has previously said it is “sad” that since 2013, no other Ugandan has won the award.
“It makes me think, are we not doing enough as an industry? But I am still positive that things are going to change,” Nabwiso said in April this year during the MultiChoice Media Showcase.
Wawuyo Jr. admits the actors are not doing enough.
“We (actors) are very complacent in Uganda. We are okay as long as we see ourselves on TV. That’s not enough. We need to adopt the attitude of ‘It’s never enough’ because that’s a winners’ attitude,” the actor who has had roles on TV drama series, Beneath the Lies and Ya Madit, said.
Responding to questions from upcoming actors, he delved into the techniques he uses to immerse himself in the characters he takes on. For him, preparation is key.
He cited cases where actors interpret the script on its face value rather than continuously dialogue with the Director to best appreciate his/her direction of the character.
“You must unearth those sweet juices of love, anger and emotion that you are telling. Some Directors love to use subliminal lines. If you say the words as flat as he has written them, of course the audience will tell that something is off in your performance.”
“There’s a motive behind every line in a script. When I get a script, I make sure I break it down and create more words out of it. I also want to continuously dialogue with the Director. I want to have a character that’s well packaged, defined and properly chiseled”
The son to popular actor and special effects director, Wawuyo Michael Sr., also shared tips on how he overcomes fear on set. There’s no particular fomular, he said, adding that panicking, if not dealt with, inevitably reflects in the final motion picture.
In his case, blocking everyone/everything else out always does the trick.
Any actor must remember what brought them on set as well as try to not pay attention to distractions like the crew, he shared.
“Remember your job. Relax. And allow yourself to be in that place that will enable you do what you are supposed to do and feel the things you are supposed to feel. Film is not just acting. Your nerves will reflect in your takes and your final product on screen,” he said.
In January next year, Wawuyo Jr who is also line producer, assistant director, set designer and locations manager, will host a Masterclass for actors, in an attempt to facilitate learning and sharing experiences among actors.
Wawuyo Jr., 34, has featured in several short films including The Girl in the Yellow Jumper, Kyenvu and Sixteen Rounds.
