In this chat with Entertainer, the University of Lagos’ Mass Communication graduate talks about his flair for acting, challenges and other issues.
Excerpts:
Tell us about you background?
I was born and christened Christopher Temitope Tedela but people call me Tope Tedela. I am the first of four children and we are all boys. I grew up in Surulere, Lagos. I attended Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Surulere and then Lagos State Model College, Oniru, Ajah, Lagos. I have a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
How did the journey into Nollywood begin for you?
After completing my secondary school education, I was at home waiting for admission into the university. I was really interested in acting and I told a family friend who used to work for an advertising agency that I wanted to act. He invited me for an audition but I cannot remember the title of the film. I got the role of an extra and I did it well. I got another role as an extra in another film and I also did it well, Then, I got admission into the university. When I finished my first year exams, I saw this auditioning notice on the wall in my school and I went for the audition, which happened to be the second season of Edge of Paradise, a popular television drama then in 2006. I auditioned and got the role. The rest is history.
What actually inspired you to become an actor?
The truth of the matter is, when I started it was just passion, I don’t want to say talent because it was passion that propelled me. When I watch TV and see young people like me acting, I say to myself ‘I am sure I could do this’. So, I pursued acting; but along the line, you need to work on grooming whatever talent you think you have. I took one or two lessons, did a lot of reading, got a lot of resources online and then practiced. I learned monologues, attended Open Mic events and tried to push myself as an actor, and that is how it has been.
How did you feel first day you faced the camera?
I wanted to sh-t in my pants, pardon my language. It was on the set of Edge of Paradise, remember I just needed one or two extra roles before that because Edge of Paradise was the only TV series where I had a role to play. When I got on set I was just scared to my bone. I was so scared that I told the director that ‘I don’t think I could do it’, and that he should let me go and get another person. I didn’t want to waste anybody’s time but the director encouraged me, that I shouldn’t worry, that I could do it. I was being corrected on my diction and a lot of things; eventually I stayed and pushed it through to the end.
Could it be the celebrity faces you met on set that scared you?
No, I was just scared of the whole thing, cameras, everything. I didn’t know where to stand, I couldn’t get anything done; remember I had no formal training, so it was a little bit scary.
Which movie brought you into the limelight?
I would say Edge of Paradise, I am sure people got to know me by the role of Julian that I played in the series. And for a while now, people used to call me Julian, so I would say it was Edge of Paradise that brought me into the limelight.
What other movies have you done lately?
I played Lala in A Mile From Home. It won me some awards including Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award for Best Actor. I have actually done two other films.
How did you get the role?
A friend of mine told me there was an audition for a film. I was really skeptical about it, but he just thought I should come around, and of course, see what is meant to be director of photography. So, I went for the audition and saw this guy who was meant to be the director telling us that, for auditions we would have to do a monologue, and I was like ‘am I supposed to be here?’ I just had my reservations about the whole setting. I realised it was going to be an action drama and I don’t like action dramas. I like to act short dramas and all that stuff. So, I eventually auditioned and was picked to play a leading role. When I later got there, I found out that it was really brilliant and wonderful. I’m grateful for being a part of the project.
Being an actor, what are the challenges you face?
There are different challenges at different phases. Sometimes I go for like three auditions in a day and I leave as early as 5 or 6a.m so that I’ll be the first person to get there. And then you rush to do the second one, and by the time you are going for the third audition, they are about rounding off. Sometimes you have to work for free because you want to put your face down there, you just do anything that comes your way. It could also be that you play a certain role and all of a sudden you didn’t get any call again because the script in your hand has been shot and is on television and then you get heartbroken. So, there are lots of challenges.
Would you act nude to be famous?
I have received a bit of recognition not by doing anything particularly crazy as that. I am not saying I can`t go nude. You really can`t say whether you would be able to go nude or not until you are put in the situation. You know, the script determines a lot of things and so you need to ask yourself if it is really necessary for you to go nude in the film. I am not saying whether I can do nude or not, I am just saying there are scenarios of how roles are chosen, so it’s not just a yes or no thing. I can`t just sit here and say that I can or cannot act nude.
Being the first child of your parents, were you born with a silver spoon?
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon; rather I was just being fortunate.
How was your growing up?
Growing up was mixed; there were times when things really went ugly. When I became an adult, I realised that our parents made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that we really didn’t experience hardship. Life wasn’t that rosy but I realised that my parents really tried. Maybe that was where I got my acting skills from because my parents used to act like everything was okay. But as I got older, I realised that they made a lot of sacrifices and I am forever grateful for the type of training I had. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon.
When you told your parents that you wanted to act, were you encouraged?
It was a gradual process. At one point, I was going to be an electrical engineer. At another point, I was going to be an accountant, and at some point again, I didn’t know what I was going to do. At a point, I was in art class but I didn’t want to be a lawyer, historian or any other thing. It got to a point I just wanted to go to the university to get a degree. When my parents eventually realised I wanted to do this, they were supportive. Their only concern was how it was going to affect my studies, but when they understood that I could manage it, they were very supportive.
Looking at some actresses, which one would you like to act with?
The truth is that I have had problems working with a couple of actresses. At the end of the day, I am just hoping to act with no one in particular.
Isn’t there anyone you are crazy about to act with?
There are quite a couple of actresses I’m crazy about. But the funny thing is that I have worked with quite a couple of them. Someone like Nse Ikpe-Etim I would want to feel her energy. I would like to do that because she delivers her roles in several ways that make me go ‘wow’. Also Genevieve wouldn’t be a bad idea to act with.
Why would you say you like Nse Ikpe Etim?
Oh, she is a phenomenal actress.
What would you do with her behind closed doors?
We would discuss how to play our characters to the optimum, how we would make the characters so believable (laughter).
Are you married or single?
All things will reveal in due course. Right now, I am just trying to focus on my work.
Are you into any relationship?
I am in a relationship with my parents. They love me and I love them. I am also in a relationship with my siblings. I have a lot of friends both male and female, I have those who are dear to my heart.
Which actor or actress do you think influenced your career?
People like Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, if you look at the way they live their lives, you would just admire them. They have come a long way, they do relevant and fantastic performances and I admire their works. I hope I would be involved in great projects like they do.
Apart from acting, what else do you do?
I am passionate about music. I also edit books.
Sometimes after acting you still wear the character in you; have you experienced such before?
I read a book by an actor called Michael King, and he said that it is wise to stay clear of any romantic inclination with your fellow actors or actresses. I think it’s a very wise counsel.
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