Apart from standup comedy, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has done well for himself in the movie industry. His movie, 30 Days in Atlanta, was one of the success stories in the Nigerian movie industry last year. In an encounter with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, the graduate of Delta State University speaks on his new movie, challenges facing the making of 30 Days in Atlanta part 2, helping others to grow and how his wife handles female fans.
People have waited endlessly for the part 2 of 30 Days in Atlanta considering its success; are there still plans for it?
Movie is a process; we are still basking in the euphoria of the success of part 1, so we need to give it some time. As a matter of fact there are some very important characters in the movie that are not available. As you are aware Mercy Johnson just gave birth and we couldn’t have gone ahead to shoot a part 2 without her because of the role she is playing in it. We need to wait for her to take care of her family and baby before she gets back to work.
But it was reported that the demands of some foreign acts who featured in part 1 became too high and that’s one of the factors affecting the continuation…
There was nothing like that; it is not true. We have a contract in place, other activities came up and we had to wait for a while. I also needed to do A Trip To Jamaica and there is no way I could do the two movies at the same time; there must be space. In no time Nigerians will see the part 2 of 30 Days in Atlanta.
Didn’t you put piracy in mind while venturing into movie production since Nigerian filmmakers always complain about it?
I didn’t know so much about piracy when I got involved in movies. It is a different feeling when you hear something bad is happening in your neighbour’s house from when the same thing happens to you. So I didn’t know so much and it wasn’t something I took seriously. I paid for that because piracy really affected 30 Days, pirates made lots of money from the movie. Moving forward we have plans to curb the negativity, wickedness and excesses of these pirates. We are editing A Trip to Jamaica at this moment and due to the huge investment involved we are putting protective measures in place to make sure that the hands of pirates won’t get to the movie.
Does that mean if you were aware of piracy you won’t have ventured into movie production?
Piracy cannot stop me from producing movies because business is all about taking risks. What we should have done is to look for more appropriate ways to curb the excesses of the pirates in terms of the level of security that we put in the movie.
You are doing very well as a standup comedian and your shows are highly attended; why did you diversify into movie making?
I am a graduate of theatre arts from Delta State University and as a matter of fact I majored in directing. I was one of the first students in my set who directed a convocation production. I was not fulfilled coming to Lagos from Warri where I lived at a time and doing standup comedy because I am yet to touch that part of me.
This is something I read, something I studied hard for and it became necessary to give some attention to that part of the AY brand. I also did a pretty good research and study where I found out that there are many comedians abroad who do movies too. Kevin Hart is standup comedian but he acts also and gets involved in different productions. Likewise people like Steve Harvey and Chris Rock; we have many of them. I then said to myself that these people don’t have four heads; if they do it I can achieve it too. This and the fact that I studied theatre arts informed the decision to go into movie production.
When do you intend to make A Trip to Jamaica available in the cinemas?
It is a process; it is expected to start from the premiere. We plan to have a premiere in Jamaica, United States of America, United Kingdom and then Nigeria. All these would start happening after AY Live.
Do you think the movie can surpass the impact of 30 Days in Atlanta?
Achievement is in God’s hand and I cannot start taking all the glory or saying it will make more money than 30 Days. But if you ask me I believe there will be pretty good testimony about the movie because the content we put in the movie is far better than that of 30 Days in Atlanta.
Are there similarities between the two movies?
The similarity is the fact that Akpos is still Akpos; it is the same Akpos you saw in 30 Days you would see in A Trip to Jamaica. You won’t see Akpos speaking English. It is just like the James Bond series where he goes anywhere, but James Bond is James Bond. However, Akpos this time would be an upgrade of the character in 30 Days.
What influenced your decision to work with Funke Akindele in A Trip to Jamaica?
She is the female version of Akpos in the Yoruba genre and she has a great sense of humour or comic disposition. I thought the blend of an Akpos and a Funke is something that would make comedy look so good in the sight of the people. I thought bringing her on board could get people to see the female version of Akpos and that happened while we were shooting. I expect people to relax and watch out for the movie.
What is new about this year’s AY Live?
If you are an vivid follower of the AY brand you would know that each year comes with a different tonic. All I can say to people is to keep their fingers crossed. With God being on our side and with us doing our homework well, changes would be well exhibited for the 2016 AY series, which is happening in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and the rest of the world.
Between acting and comedy, which is more fulfilling and difficult?
My comfort zone is still standup comedy and organising comedy shows because I am a greenhorn in the movie industry. I am just trying to catch up, but I am privileged to enjoy the grace of God for my movie to stand out. It doesn’t mean that I would start boasting because of the grace I got and believing that I am a complete actor or producer. Standup comedy is still my comfort zone while we are building a career in movie and acting as well.
How would you feel if none of your children takes after you?
They are free to venture into anything they desire to do in life. We are in that age and time where you have to create some kind of freedom and encourage children to do what they want to do. The direction the present generation is going you shouldn’t deny them access to what they want to do because you might just destroy them or yourself.
Do you really spend quality time with your child and wife?
That time has been created. My family is involved in my business and it is not every time we are working. We basically create the time and we are always together. There is that family balance because I know that if the home front is not stable you won’t be fulfilled in whatever you do. When it is settled you would have that blessing to take you all the way forward. For me, that is how it has been and it is working beautifully well.
What are your regrets?
There are quite lots of things I still wish to achieve and I consider some as personal matters. I just believe that those things would have a better light with a second chance, though I cannot tell you what there are.
Talking about helping people, are you not afraid of being relegated to the background by the emerging ones?
The simple parable of givers never lack is something that works like magic, but a lot of people do not understand the psychology behind giving and the blessing that comes with it. My advice to everyone is to try to extend a hand, try to light up a candle and see how much light you would have around you.
What do you see as worrisome in the comedy industry?
It is lack of love in the industry generally. It is very common and I find it discouraging. When a man feels that the other person is climbing or the light shines in the direction of the other person there is this unnecessary beef and anger. Since some of them don’t have the fear of God they don’t know when to stop doing certain things until they meet their waterloo.
How does your wife feel when women make advances at you?
She has been able to handle it and she knows how to help me draw the lines. But the most important thing is that she understands what I do, the difference between showbiz and reality. She knows how to relate with both worlds.
It’s like you have special likeness for white clothes or colour…
There is nothing special to that; it is just about one having a favourite colour. It is my favourite colour and it is also something my wife fancies when I put it on. To my wife, it depicts purity, neatness, and you know they say cleanliness is next to godliness. It is just something I am comfortable with and it doesn’t make me an angel or a “juju” person on the other hand. It is my favorite colour because I feel so comfortable anytime I wear it.
http://newtelegraphonline.com/ayo-makunthere-much-anger-jealousy-comedy-industry/
