I guess Leila Djansi’s head is spinning as she constantly comes in contact with various Actors and Actresses who seem not to have a clue about what it takes to become a star.
The Ace Director/Scriptwriter seems to be far pushed by certain incidents and has therefore taking time to write her “professional frustration” down for Ghanaian Actors and upcoming ones to know what is really expected from them.
In her piece, she mentions Nadia Buari and Ama K Aberese as good actresses though she acknowledges that there are more out there unmentioned. Below is what Leila Djansi wrote down with the caption “A Scene In A Movie Can Make You A Star. Little Drops Of Water”
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This is getting really redundant. I am almost disappointed. This note is to all my Ghanaian actors. Please, help me make sure they all read it.
Does Forest Gump bring any memories? anyone seen it? yeah? Remember “Uncle Bubba”? Uncle Bubba was played by Mykelti Williamson. (Brian Hastings on 24). He had one scene opposite Tom Hanks. Today he is known in every household as uncle bubba. One scene.
When I give an actor a script and they say things like: only these scenes? how many scenes?, there are a lot of scenes oh or will there be more scenes, I get discouraged working with the person. I feel you are not an actor. You have just settled into the profession not knowing why you are there or what it means. That to me translates into you can not understand and become a character.
I have watched movies in which they go after a totally insignificant plot just so an actor can have more scenes. I can name many movies in which big name stars come into play five or six or fifteen or way less scenes. Whatever number of scenes they have, they take it and go make it memorable.
Maybe it takes 3 scenes for your character to do its job in the story. Its like life. Like the tree of life. There are roots, branches, leaves, flowers. Some are only for a season. we have people in our lives for only a period. They are there to lend a hand here or shape our destinies the way fate has planned.
You may have been asked to play that leaf which stays for only a season on the tree. Another actor may have been given the chance to be the tree and another maybe the root whiles the rest are the leaves and fruits and flowers. Main actors and supporting actors, bit parts etc.
No story is complete without supporting actors and extras and main roles. Just like life cannot be complete without people coming, going and staying in your life. The art of storytelling is the art of weaving a yarn of truth. and life, is truth, reality. Again, a major reason I do not make fancy movies with fancy houses and clothes and shoes and bags. Sorry. Its not an absolute representation of truth.
When you are given a script, Go and read what your character is about. See the depth of the character; what is he giving the tree? Its not about who has more scenes or who is playing lead or has more lines. Even if you are just there to say ‘go” say go, but say it with passion and truth that will live on and on and on and on.
There are a lot of scenes so pay me more money. Please get up and leave my office!! You are no actor! You are so bloody ignorant I can’t begin to explain. Listen, please, if it takes 75 scenes for your character to go full circle, to cross that hurdle, to complete his/her hero’s journey, then that’s what it takes.
It’s not about 75 scenes. It’s about the depth of the journey. It should excite you, make your adrenaline gush. Your body should uncoil at the adventure that sprawls before you. Wow, I love my character. This thing he did, this decision he made, this path he took, this feeling he has, this wrong move, this woman in his life, this dream he has, this song he sings. That is what should drive you. Not how many scenes or how many lines!
It’s sad how superficial we have become in Africa. It’s all about who is seeing me in my gucci, prada or prado or whatever it’s called. Being an actor is about becoming stark naked.
A pastor said in a deliverance session to the member that “We go back into your mothers womb to change everything and re program your destiny. Yep. That’s what acting is about. Stripping away “self” going back into the “womb” and coming out as the character you have been given.
Ama K Abebrese is one actress I will work with over and over again. Although new on the scene, this young lady understands the theory of stripping and donning a new a new person. I have realized Ama K can become anything. (Ama, please don’t get a big head. It will stop the flow).
I have had people say things to me about her performance in Sinking Sands. Good and bad. Some comments just made me laugh so hard. One person said her emotions, she was not screaming so the emotions were not right. Who said anger is only demonstrated through screaming?
Another actress I like in Ghana is Nadia Buari. With the right director, she will be amazing. Her eyes speak volumes. Sorry, I am not here to talk about good and bad actresses. They are all good and, with the right attitude, they will do wonders.
Not that I blame them for some of the questions they ask because I have read a few Ghanaian scripts and have never been able to go past page 5. The stories are written with so much flamboyance and colourful words, it’s hard to get into any kind of depth and see a raw, true character in there. What choice do our actors, most of whom have no formal training have than to take it all at face value, get used to it and not know what to look for in a script?
Actors, please forget number of scenes. More or less, be more concerned about what you do as a branch, leaf, root, fruit or flower to the tree. It may take 10 scenes to complete your mission in the movie. Make those 10 scenes memorable.
Don’t charge based on number of scenes. Take your fee as you wish, if the production can afford it, fine. If you can take a pay cut to play a memorable character, don’t hesitate to do that.
Another thing, its not about playing a witch or playing a mother or teacher or lawyer. You are not playing a lawyer; you are playing a character who happens to be a lawyer.
Character is defined as the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation. “the character of the American people”. Also defined as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual
When you get your script, go and build the character based on the blue print – the script. Who is this person, what traits does the person have, what does he want? What are the emotions that easily come to him? Is he a lawyer? Ok. Go and study a lawyer. Hang around a lawyer; study him in his comfort zone.
Don’t assume you know how a hard corporate woman behaves so you start stiffening your neck and being a totally misplaced actor. What makes that woman a difficult corporate woman? her past? her home? her present? lost trust? insecurity? what? That is what gives you layers and depth and truth and believability.
This is not acting school. The Miles Talent Factory will launch soon. That will be where acting workshops will hold. This is an expression of my frustration.
A big thank you to all the actors who have worked and are getting ready to work with us at Turning Point Pictures. Thank you for always putting the story first.
God bless!
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