Good day to you all. I am new to this forum and do not know if this question has been asked already, though I've tried searching. Can a Nigerian who is resident here break into the American movie industry without his/her accent being a barrier. I watched Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America" and wondered why Nigerians or other authentic African Actors and Actresses were not cast in that movie rather than Americans with fake accents. I am talented and would like to feature in an African movie here in the USA. I just don't know how to go about it. Do Nigerian Directors set up auditions here when they come to film? I participate in my church drama which has always been a hit. I live in Houston, Texas. Any pointers? Thanking you in anticipation of your useful advice. God bless.

sure why not and by the welcome to NL

Thanks. But how? Do you know where they advertize?

Much love,
Rhema

u mean a nigerian 4rm nigeria? d accent is first thing dats gon disqualify one.

Dolly-Pee, you got my point! In which case one is confined to Nigerian Drama. That's even if the market is big enough here. I never see those Nigerian Directors here. Maybe some of us can participate in their movies. I mean quality ones like Mainframe, Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan etc.

gate intouch with Nollywood gurl!!

Thanks Needegg. But do you have any contacts in Nollywood? Do you know of any Casting Director Like Zeb Ejiro or Lancelot Imasuen coming this way? Email addresses? cell phone numbers? Remember I reside in the U.S.

Cheers,
Rhema

I'd love to see a South African make it in Hollywood, at least they know when to shut up when they should!

@ ray, do u no even Americans are queing for roles in d usa? d movie industry in SA is good too,sallywood? why wldnt she stay there and hope for a better future in d industry.

Rhema:

Thanks Needegg. But do you have any contacts in Nollywood? Do you know of any Casting Director Like Zeb Ejiro or Lancelot Imasuen coming this way? Email addresses? cell phone numbers? Remember I reside in the U.S.

Cheers,
Rhema

well i dont know any Directors Pohne or Email, but i have Emeka Enyochi's number is an Actor guess u know so u cant contact him by +2348023148556

Thanks for that info Needegg. Though I don't know that Actor (Emeka Enyochi), I hope he wouldn't mind you giving out his number. Do you know any movies he featured in?

Cheers,
Rhema

Rhema:

Thanks for that info Needegg. Though I don't know that Actor (Emeka Enyochi), I hope he wouldn't mind you giving out his number. Do you know any movies he featured in?

Cheers,
Rhema

Big Brothers is a nice movie though!!

I Strongly believe a Nigerian can break into it, provided you are very good and this takes years of training and my dear you can start from the nearest stage to you. I have come to realize that stage drama is the beginig of greatness in the movie industry. most people might disagree with this, but I tell you it is the truth. Do you know Olu Jacob or his wife, Joke? Even the great cinematographer Tunde Kelani will tell you to start their. So my advise is taht you should engage yourself with any drama troupe around their, develop your acting skill and write scripts if you can. Shakespear will tell you that a thousand miles journey begins with a step. You can contact me for adivise on acting and script writing.
hayanmehayan@yahoo.com

Thanks Hayan, I have actually been participating in  stage drama locally for about 6 months now.

Why not attempt to "break into" other African or third world markets before aiming at the most challenging one?

Seun, but where are the African or third world markets we can "break into" here in the USA? We rarely see those directors. The US is a very large place. If you are aware of any, please point me in the right direction .

Oops, I guess I wasn't thinking about Nigerians in the US.
You'll probably have to emigrate to break into another movie market.

Its not impossible for a Nigerian to break into the industry but he or she had better be dam good, professional and ready to play hard ball better still dine with the devil

a hint,,,,chiwetel ejiofor, Oris erubhilo and many more big time Holly wood actors are nigerians.

@ cr8tive i  and  datnigadaz. You have points there o. I remember a  saying that; it's better to shoot at the sky and  fall because there's a probability that one might land among the stars, than not to try at all     .

I was a casting agent in the nineties and early 2000. I worked on some hollywood blockbusters specifically casting ethnic actors for various minor roles and as extras. Movies are about stories, and modern hollwood and independent film producers have established a niche for various ethnicities, cultures and accents. Exotism sells and anything outside the fauna of typecast hollywood (white caucasian appeal) is considered exotic and highly saught in modern film. Your accent could and should be an asset, that said you should make effort to assimilate and intergrate the mainstream american lingo to your arsenal to avoid being typecast. If you find that daunting, then learn to be diligently pronounced and deliberate in your manner of speaking regardless of what accent you have. great African American actors like Roscoe lee brown, James earl jones and some that I cant think of right now are immensly admired and demanded in Hollywood for thier voices, Its resonance and depth, a specificity to the African manner of voicing words in english. These actors will be the first to tell you that they practiced long and hard to learn and adapt the "African accent".

datnigadaz , ummm,  Interesting. I hear you. Thanks a bunch!!!

Independent movie or video podcast production might be a more better way to break into Hollywood,
Because you would have some control? Otherwise, your fate as an actor will depend equally on luck and skill.

A Nigerian can break into the hollywood movie industry, if you happen to be at the right place at the right time, accent is not a barrier as some may think. (Arnold Schwarzenegger was able to break in even with his strange accent)

Instead of waiting for the "right place and right time" why not take a more active role in your fate? Pick up a cheap video camera, make a video showcasing your skills and post it on youtube. Start somewhere.

Absolutely infact if you check the "wikipedia" profiles of some of the best black actors you'd be surprised how many of them are actually African born or have direct parentage from the continent. Nigerian actors are also prevalent in America, as far as the major roles there are only 3 i can think of but Naija actors do exist here in the US. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is my favorite I ADORE that guy. Another favorite of mine is Gbenga Akinnagbe (though like Adewale, hes always playing a thug lol).

Rhema:

Good day to you all. I am new to this forum and do not know if this question has been asked already, though I've tried searching. Can a Nigerian who is resident here break into the American movie industry without his/her accent being a barrier. I watched Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America" and wondered why Nigerians or other authentic African Actors and Actresses were not cast in that movie rather than Americans with fake accents. I am talented and would like to feature in an African movie here in the USA. I just don't know how to go about it. Do Nigerian Directors set up auditions here when they come to film? I participate in my church drama which has always been a hit. I live in Houston, Texas. Any pointers? Thanking you in anticipation of your useful advice. God bless.

the actors in coming to america did a great job, and casting an african actor for the same role might have a different effect on the overall dynamics of the movie.

sometimes the directors have specific visions and feels for their movies. Its not always automatically about being pc, stiff and specific.

eddie murphy was an AA playing a first generation african who migrated to america. Very hilarious and in tune with the film's message.

The main thing I found disturbing in the movie was the extravagance typically associated with the african leaders- it was a bit too much like what actually happens in real life.

the woman handpicked for eddie murphy was also too zombielike- is that a reflection on us?

"I like whatever you like, your majesty" Is that really the ideal for an african woman?



anyway @ topic, nigerian actors have made inroads into hollywood even as we type. For films with a direct political message, maybe African actors could be used, but its up to the director,imo.

Olatunde Osunsanmi is a Nigerian-born director based in the United States. He has directed films like "The Cavern (2005)" & "The Fourth Kind (2009)".