One thing that is palpable about the amazing Bunmi Awolowo is her passion for acting. It literally seethes through her!
This emerging actor who has partaken in stage productions at Terra Kulture and is currently on a Web Series ‘Dawn’, talks about her dreams so excitedly that I can’t help but buy into them!
I ask Bunmi about herself and how she discovered her passion for acting and she says,
‘My name is AWOLOWO OLUWABUNMI. People fondly call me ‘Bumbum’. I am a lover of the arts, Ia driven and passionate person who is lively, full of joy and energy. Most importantly, I am a God lover! My love for acting is beyond what I can explain by just writing in words …*lol*
Acting for me is beyond the fame or money; it’s live! It’s my first love after God. My journey toward acting all started as young smart girl in Sunday school in church (All Saints Anglican Church Montgomery Road, Yaba ). It all started there, where we went for competitions with other Diocesan/Archdeaconry in drama/music presentation and then my church would always carry the trophy! Most especially in drama, for me it was something I did for fun. I just always enjoy myself doing it *smiles*. And I would always obtain the prize for the best outstanding student in a talent presentation.
My church always had these events called ‘Pleasant Evening’, where children would come to display their God given talents. It was something everyone always looked forward to. It continued up to my secondary school ( I pioneered the drama club in school. It was so much fun!) and even to the higher institution (University of Lagos), I was a member of Theatre15, where I had a training on theatre, which formed some of the skills I have today.
After school, during my NYSC service year, my platoon won the Best in Drama presentation during our talent events. I was made the drama coordinator for Redeemed corpers fellowship, Aba chapter, Abia state for 2 tenures, impacting lives in churches and communities around. It involved ministrations during rural evangelism, going to villages to tell them about Jesus, using drama as a tool to draw young men and women to Christ.
I discovered this great potential of mine since I was child. I just knew I loved it. It was a hobby, but my perspective and thinking started to align with taking it up professionally when I first got paid for it!
On her acting style, Awolowo details ‘method acting’, which involves putting her whole emotions and being in any role given to her.
She goes on to say she loves making her acting really natural.
‘I love to convince my audience that whatever you are watching is actually reality not make believe or trying to convince you. You would have lost yourself already before you realize it’s only a movie.
On her most challenging role thus far and how she prepared for it,
she confesses, ‘I really don’t see any role as challenging though. I always see it as fun and get the best out if it.
There was one where I was to play a Hausa woman, and I had to speak a little Hausa. Hmmm, it was a bit challenging. I got someone to teach me, going back and forth, and at the end, it was beautiful! I learnt a lot.
I ask her preference as regards stage and film, and she explains, ‘Well for film it’s more relaxing. So much exaggeration is not required on screen compared to stage, where you have to exaggerate every action so as to communicate to the audience. But then I would say I prefer stage because it helps me to express the totality of my being from acting to delivery. In stage, there is no cut and edit. It’s once! And that is it!
There is no coming back for a second chance if you make a mistake, so it prepares your mind for perfection and getting it right. But then as an actor, you need both stage and screen time. A fantastic actor is good for both screen and stage, which is what every actor should be. We must be able to balance it!
On the roles pivotal to getting her to the next level in her career, she elucidates,
‘Roles that will bring out my hidden potential, roles that will expand my mind and challenge me to be an outstanding actor!’
I ask Bunmi about the impact of film festivals in Nigeria and how can upcoming actors leverage this platform and Bunmi Awolowo explains,
‘It’s great, fantastic and an eye opener to great talents. It has helped in promoting and celebrating our culture to be showcased. It has given upcoming filmmakers /producers and actors opportunities to showcase their project and also be celebrated, which builds confidence and strong belief in what they are doing.
Upcoming actors can definitely leverage this platform for learning new acting skills and techniques, networking and building good relationships that would help foster the growth of their career.’
I ask about her favourite actors and she muses,
‘1. Nse-Ikpe Etim
2. Joke Silva
3. Funke Akindele
4. Taraji Penda Henson ( Cookie Lyon)
5. Majid Mishel
6. Richard-Mofe Damijo
7. Tyler Perry
I ask about how her degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management has given her an advantage in the movie industry and she says,
‘IRPM is basically people management, which we know as human resource management, has helped me a lot on how to build, relate, accommodate and be tolerant with people. Managing people requires some skill set. In the acting industry you will meet, interact with a lot of people, especially when acting with them for the first time, most especially on set. It has really helped in my interpersonal communications with people, seeing that we all have different temperaments
I ask Bunmi where she sees herself in the industry in the next 10 years and she shares, ‘I see myself producing my own movies, changing the lives and impacting the world with my acting . 10 years from now, watch out for an award winning actress not just in Nollyhood also in Hollywood. By God’s Grace’
On her upcoming movies, she says,
‘ I am on a webseries on Youtube, produced by Tribenation300 studios, called, ‘DAWN’, which is in its second season. I play the role of the Role of Alaba Ojulari.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-BeOGMfVVU&w=560&h=315]
Follow me on social media instagram(@boomiawolowo), Facebook to get updates on more movies I am in and will be at.
THANK YOU!
Image Credit: @boomiawolowo (Instagram)
Keep up the good job babes, the sky is just the starting point.