I WOULD BECOME NIGERIA"s NUMBER ONE MOVIE PRODUCER Eva George

Micheal irabor, of kings blog  had a brief conversation with  Nigeria’s fast rising  movie producer EVA George. And she explained to us how it all started.

Can we meet you?

My name is eva George, am an entrepreneur, an African actress, film maker, a graduate of  Crawford university . I read sociology, and international relations. And I was born on the 1^st of march. That’s me basically.

When did you discover you had the gift of role interpretation in you, and what prompted you  into acting?

Right from when I was little, from the age of eight, I have always I had always had this love, and passion for movie making. I always wanted to see my self on screen, and admire my self, because I use to admire people who I saw on screen. So apart from admiration, I also had the talent of acting. I use to be in the drama group in school, even when I went to the university I was also an executive in a drama group. So I have done a lot of drama stuff right from my childhood days. So at age 19, I made a decision to  get into Nollywood .which I did and, from then, I have been acting.

What was the first movie you featured in when you got into Nollywood?

The first movie I did was titled ( my last wedding). It was produced by uche bonabo, it was starring Emeka ike, Jackie apia.

What was your first day on set like?

That would be when we were shooting (the last wedding). It was interesting because of the fact that I was making a lot of mistakes, I was being too conscious of the camera, I was missing my lines, wasting time, forgetting that resources were being wasted as a result of my delay and all. In fact everyone just kept shouting at me. The producer,  the director and the actors. But I thank God that someone like Emeka ike was really patient with me. He had to call me aside, and teach me what to do correctly. So I would say my first time on set was quite challenging but, interesting.

So far, how many movies have you featured in?

As an actress, I have done  more than ten movies. Why it is actually that little is because of the fact that I went to a private university, and you private schools are not schools where you can just come out and do other things so, I was only acting when I was on holidays. And secondly my parents were not in support of me acting while I was still in school because, they didn't want me to get distracted from my studies. So I was basically sneaking to be on set so I didn't

have the chance to feature in some other movies which I was suppose to.

What prompted you into producing your own movie?

well the spirit of entrepreneurship, really inspired me into  doing my own movie production. Actually I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur  when I was little. I always had the mindset that when I graduate from the university, I would never work for anybody. So that entrepreneur spirit now led me into what I had passion for. Which was movies. So I turned my passion into making money. So that that was why I started my own movie production company.

To make money?

Not only to make money, but also make good movies definitely.  But I wont say because I have passion I would be a stupid investor, without making money.

How many movies have you produced?

I have produced three movies of my own, and I have also produced for other people. I have produced documentaries, I have produced TV shows too.

What are the title of this three movies you have produced?

Ok, the first movie I actually produced, is titled LAST MINUTE,  last minute is a movie to campaign for orphan, and underprivileged in the society. That is a really personal  movie for me. But till today we are not done with the production because, it is a very  high budget, and long project. So till now am still producing it. While working on that, I went on to produce WHERE TALENT LIES. That movie has gotten us five nomination, and two awards. That’s the second. Then the third one is my comedy drama series, which season one I just released.  titled ISSUES. ISSUES, is about is about the challenges that faces the urban Lagos youth. It is my directorial debut because, I actually directed, produced, and wrote this movie.

There is a lot to being a producer. How do you raise funds to settle expenses during these movie productions. Do you have sponsors, or you do this all by your self?

Well the truth about it is that I don’t have any sponsors, I actually finance my productions because, you know with the kind of country we are in, most organizations are not willing to support movies. So you as an entrepreneur  you  just have to take a bold step of chasing your dreams. So basically I sponsor my productions. Where I get the finance from, I have other business I do, some savings, some sacrifice, and then asking for favor from close people. So that’s what keeps my production going.

Whats the most challenging aspect of being a movie producer?

There are so many challenges but, the most challenging is the finance, then after that is, our market. our market is not just helpful. And also our audience gives me challenge because am this kind of producer that wants to work with new faces and all that because, I believe that our viewers are sick of same Genevieve, and other old actors, and actresses over, and over again. So I am the person  who want to bring new actors, and actresses into limelight. But the marketers do not want to reason on the same page with me. They feel it must be the old faces if not, the movie wont sell.. but I thank GOD  it has been going well so far. because the actors in my movies are now known, because it is the same actors/actresses I groomed from  movie WHERE TALENT LIES) that I still used in ISSUES. So they are becoming a face in the industry.

What has movie production, and acting not done for you yet?

It hasn't gotten me my own private jet.

What are you working on presently?

well presently all my time is tied on to this project. Which is ISSUES. The season one of my comedy drama series. The premier is on the 20 of December. So we are working on it, in terms of sponsorship, and every other thing that has to do with it. I would say everyone should watch out for it. It is already showing in the UK. Because the Nigerian market was just too stiff during the time of our promotion.. so I believe by next year, it would start showing here in Nigeria.

There must have been times you attempted giving up but didn't. what was that thing that got you going?

What keeps me going is the thought of the reason why I started in the first place. When I remember that, and picture where I am going, the drive to keep pushing comes. I am the kind of person who hardly give up. I don’t easily give up people, my self, and God.

What’s the  reason you started, and where is this place you see your self going?

The reason I started was because of the love, and passion I have for movies, and where I see my self is by God grace, I would be the number one producer in Nigeria. And be a producer who people wold actually look forward to my movies. Because I do  reality movies. I don’t do movies on imagination. So I believe that in few years to come, I would be a one of the top producers in Africa.  I admire people like Emem ison. Respect to them. I believe some day am also going to be acknowledged as a great producer too.. then I also see my self making a whole lot of money. Because I like money, and that is why I use money, to get more money. Then most importantly, I want to see my self influencing lives. That is why I have started by signing new actors in my production company. I sign them on for a year. Through out that year, they don’t need to go for auditions,. People believe that the industry is very corrupt. People cant give you roles because they want to sleep with you, and all that. So this signing protects them from all those.

What’s the name of your movie production company?

The name of my movie production company is, MO EVA”S WORLD PRODUCTION.

Are you married?

No.

ARE YOU SEEING ANYBODY?

No I am not. But I cant say if someone is seeing me though. But right now am not dating, or planning marriage soon because, that would distract me.