AUDITION FOR A NEW SOAP OPERA IN NIGERIA, GHANA AND SOUTH AFRICA

AUDITION FOR A SOAP OPERA
100 PEOPLE URGENTLY NEEDED
AGE 8- 70YRS
LOCATION NIGERIA, GHANA, SOUTH AFRICA,
AUDITION VENUE SAINT ROC MEDIA, 4/6 YAYA ABATAN STREET, TOMOLOJU ESTATE BY EXCELLENCY HOTEL, OGBA IKEJA
DATE 28 APRIL 2010
TIME 9AM
ENQUIRES CALL 08032349816, 016560367

Life and times of Oladapo Olaitan Olanipekun aka DaGrin, (1987 -2010)

DaGrin was born Oladapo Olaitan Olanipekun (25/10/1987 -22/04/2010). Mr. Olaitan Olanipekun stage name is DaGrin. He also goes by other aliases such as Original Omoita, DaGrin Lomo Na, Lyrican Trouble, Fimilejo, Omo Onile, Solder Boy, Lyrical Wayray, Molenubi, Misofuyin, Omo Ogun, Akogun, Barack O'Grin, Chief Executive Omoita and other.



Education
DaGrin went Rosemary Nursery and Primary School and Good Shepherd Nursery and Primary School before attaining his secondary school education at the Community High School, Egbado College. Mr. Olaitan's attempts to gain admission to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions hit the rock due to financial and family issues. He did however study in a computer institution somewhere around Lagos State. He later decided to invest his time and effort in music since he loves doing music and writing lyrics with great passion.
Personal Life
He was born to a polygamous family; life was never rosy for Olaitan. Olaitan’s mother was the second of his father’s three wives.


Musical Career
DaGrin was a recording artiste, songwriter, rapper and performer. Like any other artiste, the start was rough for DaGrin. Olaitan’s first album titled “Still On the matter” came and went without much impact in the music industry. He was never deterred by the ratings of his first album; he was determined to make a lasting footprint in the music industry. He went back to the studio and re engineer is God given talents. The result of his hard work and persistence was his sophomore album titled "Chief Executive Omoita (C.E.O) and surely, it was a party banger. He was signed to his own label Missofunyin Entertainment and managed by Edlyne Records.


His imprint Mi So Fu Yin Entertainment was gradually taking shape; Dagrin had a performance in and out of Lagos every other week. Everybody wanted him on their album, mixtape, single… it didn’t matter; everybody just wanted a piece of Dagrin.


Just two days before the horrific accident that took away his life occurred; Dagrin was putting together his last song, Show Me the Money, for Lineo ‘Elepepe Master’. On April 14th, just a few hours before the accident, Dagrin paid a visit to the Hip Hop World office in Ikeja. The awards were drawing closer and with three nominations to his name, the hustler’s dream was finally coming true.


Collaboration and Duet
During his brief presence in Nigeria's music industry, DaGrin featured dozens of musicians including Kenny Saint Brown, 9ice, Oluwe, YQ Isolate and others within is short presence in Nigeria Hip-Pop scene. Dagrin is a three-time hip-pop awards nominee; he was nominated in the Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Rap Album categories of the 2010 Hip-Hop World Awards.


DaGrin’s Quotes


“You know what it is, you knew what it was baby.”
‘I just realized that I’m married to this game… and me and my b*tches never break up…’
God is my creator; Fela is my mentor. Money does not drive me; money is my conductor.
Ta Won eyan bari mi ni street, won pe mi lomo buruku.


Won ni life ti moun live, mon ni pe ku. Ti olorun ko ba pa mi, kin lo tun kun.
‘Aimoye igba ti awon eyan ni ki lo give up… Won ni mo local, pe o no mi o’nse hip-hop… But mo wa determined, mo de wa focus…T’orie ni oruko mi se spread bi staphylococcus’ -
Translation of Quotes in 4 and 5 to English Language


When people see me on the street, they called me bad boy.

They say I may not live long with my kind of lifestyle, If God does not kill me, what else?
‘How many times have people told me to give up…They say I’m local, that I’m not hip-hop. But I was determined and focused… Because of this, my name has spread like staphylococcus’.
DaGrin’s Ghetto Dream
Mo ni dream lati fi Ajah se residence
Mo ni dream lati di Nigerian president,
Owoti awon president nje lo encourage mi
Epe ti awon eyan she fun won lon discourage mi
Mo ni dream lati di pastor but everytime ni mo n mu shepe, mo de n fa polli
Mo ni dream lati believe bi Pastor Chris but mo wa carried away pelu effizy Ludaris

DaGrin's Last Moments
According to Nigerian Entertainment Today's website, the last time he logged on to twitter was on April 8th at 1:01 pm. His last tweet was to a fan, Yewande Sobamowo - it simple said ‘lol’ (Laughing Out Loud).

According to report filed by The Nation, a Nigerian Newspaper, DaGrin’s last statement before he passed on was, ‘Tell My Fans I Love Them.’ He made this statement in the presence of other musicians such as DJ Zeez, Dekunle Fuji, Tunde Peters (his manager), Lexydoo and Shebaby,

Although DaGrin is gone, he would not be forgotten for how he artfully blends his native language, Yoruba with English language to rap. I would like to thank Dagrin for his inspiring so many people that are frustrated and have lost in Nigeria system.


Oladapo Olaitan Olanipekun a.k.a DaGrin. May your gentle soul Rest In Peace (RIP).


DaGrin's Unreleased Track Titled "If I Die."

HOW TO PASS YOUR FIRST MOVIE AUDITION IN NIGERIA

LINES - learn them, for goodness sake, nothing says unprofessional time waster than not knowing your lines. It is only a casting there will only be a few lines. I read my lines at least 100 times the night before and 100 times that morning. I am sick of the lines - but I know them and the other guys lines too, that impresses a lot if you can help the stumbling fool playing opposite with his lines. Look like an pro actor and know your lines

DRESS IN CHARACTER - who cares what the old lady on the bus thinks when a cowgirl in stirrups sits next to her. The job of the casting director is to visualise you in the role, if you make the job easier for them, then you will be remembered better. Who looks more the the CEO for that high power TV drama, you with good lines and dressed in a suit or the construction worker turning up in his dust covered overalls and hard hat with good delivery. If you look more like the part they are likely to think that is actually a part of your personality and thus can play the part easily, it's professional do it. I have turned up to a wrestling casting, gone into the toilets and come out in my professional wrestling costume - 1/2 way through the casting they said you have the part - we are calling the others to tell them not to come in. I looked the part, I was the part, I got the part. Look like the character you are acting.

BE EARLY - I don't care if traffic was heavy and neither do they, if you are late to a movie set you can cost them thousands, organise yourself the night before with a bag with props, your script and clothes to wear. There are no excuses for being late.
NEVER APOLOGISE OR SAY YOU MESSED THAT ONE UP - professional actors don't do it so don't you do it, if you feel uncomfortable about a take they will often give you another chance, if not you can ask if you can do one more, but never more than one more. A casting is short and easy, you have had time to practise, you should get it right first time
PRACTISE THE NIGHT BEFORE - practise, practise, practise. Get in front of a mirror and watch your own performance. Do not stop acting until you get it 100% right

ACT 3 DIFFERENT CHARACTERS FOR THE SCENE - read the scene and make up 3 different characters to act out the scene. For example, you are to act as a killer, you could practise a Vietnam Vet who took one to many acid trips and does not realise what he is doing, you could act out a guy who has bad problems with an abusive mother to the point he hates and wants to kill all women, or you could play a deranged maniac who has voices that tell him to do it. You do not need to tell the Director what you are doing, as an actor you let them see and feel that character and you use different expressions and actions that convey the different characters. On each take you play a different character. This has two benefits, it allows them to see you are talented and can play a range of role and it allows you 3 chances to look like a character they want and get the job rather than the others who play the same character 3 times. Triple your chances - I think this one is one of the best methods to get jobs.
ACT LIKE YOU ARE IN AN APPROPRIATE SETTING - how many times I have seen people stand there, arms by their sides and deliver perfect lines with little expression and no movement. For example the acting audition has you talking to someone in a bar you could deliver a few lines, pause, pretend to take a sip of your drink, let your gaze follow the woman walking past, then finish your lines, sip your drink again and wipe the back of your hand across your mouth and call for another round
BE CONFIDENT - if you practise till you know it back to front and are dressed like the character you will look more like a professional actor and with your triple chance play, you have a much better odds than the others, go in there like this is your role, you have it, you are now just there to show them how it is done properly. I have previously instructed my agent to call the casting director back and say Conan said he will be there for his part at 11.00am, he said to say thankyou. This was for a acting audition (casting) that was absolutley perfect for me - and they were expecting something special, I gave them something special and I got the job. But do not brag, only use this sort of direct approach if you really can back it up.
GO TO EVERY ACTING AUDITION YOU CAN - you will probably muck up the first few, don't worry I did too, so does everyone, just keep going and you will come to understand what they want and how it works after a few. The more practise at auditioning you get the better you get, the better you get the more jobs you get, etc
TALK TO THE STAFF AT THE AGENCY - get to know them, let them get to know you. If they remember you then they can call you if an appropriate part comes up. If you are equal choice in skill for a part and they know and like you vs someone they do not know then you will get the part. Make friends in the industry. Be helpful to the others at the acting casting too, they may be your competition today but next week you could be working with them. Be nice to people in general.
If you follow these simple guide lines then even if you do not get this acting audition (casting) the casting director will remember you in a good light for future acting auditions (castings) - after a few times they will get to know you and you will get calls direct asking for you personally.

At this point you will be able to skip the actor audition (and the competition) and get acting job offers direct.

Good luck and let me know if these tips work for you.

45 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY IN NOLLYWOOD

45 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY IN NOLLYWOOD!-Research and Compilation by Eliel Otote A, Director of Studies,ArtsPavillion Movie Training Institute,Lagos,Nigeria.
By artspavillion

THE NIGERIAN MOVIE INDUSTRY IS RATED THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD,AFTER THE AMERICAN HOLLYWOOD AND THE INDIAN BOLLYWOOD. WHILE THIS SHOULD ENCOURAGE POLICY MAKERS TO ENSURE THAT NOLLYWOOD,LIKE IT`S HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD COUNTERPARTS, HAS A LOCATION AND ALLOCATION, IT BEHOOVES ON YOU…YES YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES THAT ABOUND IN AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS TURNED EVEN NON-ENTITIES TO CELEBRITIES!

NOLLYWOOD WELCOMES YOU TO ITS GOLDMINE OR IF YOU LIKE, CALL IT OIL-WELL. YOU HAVE A CHANCE, NO MATTER YOUR AREA OF SPECIALIZATION.NO MATTER YOUR INTEREST,PROFESSION,
BACKGROUND -ACADEMIC,RELIGIOUS,POLITICAL,OR SOCIAL. YOU JUST MUST FIT IN.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING AREAS AND LET ME KNOW WHERE YOUR INTEREST IS:

1.ACTING
2.SCRIPTWRITING
3.DIRECTING
4.PRODUCING
5.EDITING
6.PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
7.CONTINUITY
8.LOCATION MANAGEMENT
9.PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
10.MAKE-UP
11.COSTUMING
12.MOVIE FINANCING
13.SET DESIGNING
14.SET CONSTRUCTION
15.POSTER PRINTING
16.POSTER PASTING
17.CD/DVD REPLICATING
18.FILM MUSIC PRODUCTION
19.SCRIPT EDITING/PROOF-READING
20.PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
21.CATERING SERVICES…

WATCH OUT ON THIS SITE FOR MORE AREAS TO MAKE MONEY, ALONG WITH DETAILS ON HOW TO COME INTO NOLLYWOOD PROFESSIONALLY!

How to write a winning Screenplay

How to write a blockbuster film
March 30th, 2010
Beloved, writing a blockbuster film is the dream of every screen writer i had ever come across in my 10years in the movie business, that is the reason i concluded to show the willing in heart the way to go about their dream. Lets roll.

1. If the story doesn’t work, then the script won’t work. If at any given time, your reader is not wondering, “What’s going to happen next?”–you’ve got a problem.

2. Author Julia Cameron says, “The singular image is what haunts us and becomes art.” Think about that! At last “a place” to put all of your little insights, moments of truth, fascinations and unique experiences that previously lacked a “file.” If you access that “file” while preparing your script and use these hot little tidbits as springboards for scenes, your script is going to be buzzing with honesty and life. This is what audiences crave.

3. There is no such thing as a throwaway or a transitional scene. Scenes should not only add value to the overall story but should also have intrinsic entertainment value as well.

4. Writing a script is relatively easy. The real work is in preparing, building and “arc-ing” out the story and defining the characters. Once the “blueprint” is in place, the writing itself is usually a welcome enterprise. Many writers have trouble being patient enough with this process and it can cost them dearly in the long run.

5. There are many “techniques” for creating and developing characters some of which are effective. However, the single most important thing you can do is to have a strong emotional connection with your character. Intellectual platitudes and techniques are OK, but audiences want characters who are alive. Find your most visceral emotional connections. Don’t settle on a character until you do.

6. The difference between good and great material? SOUL. There are some fabulous technicians out there and some great storytellers too, but the bottom line is the emotional impact of a writer’s work. When a screenwriter’s vision is razor clear and deeply, exactingly rendered, it can have such impact that you the reader feel changed, personally shifted having experienced their art. GREATNESS HAUNTS.

7 “Who is your hero? What is his/her goal? Who or what is preventing her/him from reaching that goal?” (Intense pressure on your hero in an atmosphere of conflict will help keep your story mobile and entertaining).

8. When I’ve written screenplays, it always STARTED WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GREAT IDEA. Something that gnawed and nagged at me and that I felt needed to be expressed. I was savvy enough after a while to realize that sometimes you can have a great idea that has no business being developed as a screenplay, so I knew it was important to take a good long breath before investing myself in an idea that might take me the better part of the year to fully execute. After determining that it was a go, my approach would be to start collecting “hot” ideas for scenes, character elements, moments, character arcs etc. and just put them “on the board” without giving them continuity and form…yet. This process involves the collection of assets without the pressure of having to do anything else than collect them. Inevitably, these ideas would spawn more ideas, which would then spawn a sense of trajectory and order. At some point when the quiver felt full, I would get into more advanced stages of identifying placement over the acts and giving it all a sense of storytelling. I would avoid writing at all costs, letting the passion to do so percolate while I did my critical spade work. Once I had a fully developed game plan; full stories, a real sense of a beginning, middle, end and scenes that could “write themselves, “I’d happily get into the writing process as if it were my wedding night.

9. Surrender to this fact: writing is rewriting.

10. EXPERIMENT: take a couple of pages out of your script. Are your characters distinctive enough that, if you REMOVED THEIR NAMES from the pages, you could tell who they are JUST FROM the dialogue? If not, you need to do more work.

11. Rule of thumb: get into scenes as late as you can and get out early. Forget about the “glad to meet you’s” and the “what would you like for dinner’s.” “How can I start a scene as close to the end as possible?”

12. Before writing anything, you should be able to tell someone the story (and have it worked out so smoothly) that it’s practically ready to “write itself.”

13. Planning a script is an act of simplifying rather than the opposite. And above all it’s a blueprint for a practical, doable approach to getting something down on paper.

14. When it comes to dialogue, less is better. Pick up the most successful screenplays and you’ll notice great economies when it comes to words.

15. WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW or about what truly fascinates you. Recognize and take advantage of those areas of experience and interest for which you are the sole proprietor! This will give you an automatic leg up in your writing. However you may inevitably need to shape and dramatize the material in order to make it entertaining for the rest of us. (It doesn’t have to be based on 100% of the truth. It’s enough that the truth is your inspiration and catalyst). Remember there are certain things that you’ve been “researching” for your whole life.

16. As you bubble and percolate, AVOID the temptation to write at all costs! Instead, let the DESIRE to write build up as you dabble. Let your energy be expressed in the proliferation of creative nuggets randomly thrown on a page or on index cards. Collect them and give them form but don’t start your script until you’re truly ready.

17. ACCEPT THE FACT that the only writers who get the chance to write without grueling preparation are those who are not getting paid. The typical Hollywood writer has to jump through preparatory hoops before she/he will get the chance to initiate the actual writing of the script. Many pros spend about 70% of their time prepping and 30% writing. Many newcomers do the exact opposite. This is a big mistake. Prep thoroughly.

18. STRUCTURE: Screenplays are big and unruly. You can get lost in their breadth. Three (or four acts, (ie: an act 2 break) help to ground it, make it more bite sized. Additionally, it also gives you at least three moments in the script that are going to be extra climatic (ie: the end of act one; the end of act two (part one); the end of act two (part two) etc. Finally, it gives you something to go for. (For this reason TV movies can be much easier to write than features because they require seven acts (that’s six act breaks – plot twisting, climatic, breathless moments to look forward to). Think of each of them as an oasis).

19. STAGE DIRECTIONS ARE OKAY. Someone spread a FALSE rumor that you shouldn’t tell directors and actors what to do. Physical actions/gestures/attitudes/reactions etc. described in narrative or parentheses that enhance subtext and cinematic action are called stage directions. Don’t hesitate to use the very tool that can help make or break your script.(IE stage directions)

20. The predicate of all successful films, plays and TV episodes is CONFLICT! JEOPARDY, OBSTACLES, AND ANGST will also bode well for you.

Friend the remaining 19 will be treated next time keep a date with us

Mercy Johnson speaks on her reported uncontrollable sex drive,

Again, that is a blatant lie. I am not different from any other young woman who got thrust into limelight at a very early age. Have I made some mistakes with men? You bet I have. But tell me whi is that young woman or even grown woman who has not made mistakes with men? It is true that I have had my heart broken many times, I just told you about the guy that ended a relationship with me after reading that I was seeing a married man, which was not true. It is also true that I was in a relationship with a guy in Spain who told me he was not married, only for me to realize after travelling to Spain to meet him that he was married, and was just playing games with me. You learn from certain experience and they help make you stronger and better person. But does this mean that I'm a young woman with uncontrollable sexual drive and cravings? No, absolutely not! I am from a good and decent home, and there are certain values that are sacrosanct with me. I have not and do not hop from one bed to the other, not for pleasure or material comforts. Nollywood has been kind to me. I get paid decent fees, and I am always in demand thank God for that, so I make decent income that guarantees me a decent and comfortable lifestyle. Why should I demean my self worth and value by sleeping with men for money? That is totally out of my calues system. Do you know how many times I have cried when I read things that are ascribed to me that are totally false? The media made last year (2009) my worst year ever. In terms of the volume of lies and hate-filled stories they published about me."

Mercy Johnson, Did she actually steak her lovers money? her defence

"Can you believe that someone in his right mind would write such a story even though they knew it was false? The newspaper that wrote that story later retracted it, but the damage was already done. The truth is I didnt steal money from a loved one. Logically, it is incongrous for one to even imagine it. If I am dating someone, and I have a particular need, and I have a particular need, wouldn't it be better for me to ask that individual to give me help as opposed to taking his money without his consent? That is just not who I am! But again, it is the cross that I have borne for the past five years - a cross that is getting too heacy to bear these days. Truth is, I have thought of quitting many times. It is just too much for me. You do not get appreciated for the happiness you bring to people, all you see in the media is one hurtful and blatantly false story about you. But I love acting, and I thank God that I have been accepted and loved by my fans - they are the reason why I am still here-otherwise I would have long thrown in the towel."

Mercy Johnson defends herself on Her Break-up of a Directors marriage

"I read that story and nothing could be further from the truth. I did not break up any director's arriage, because I did not date any director. I was shocked when the story was published and I wonder aloud where they got the story. That story hurt me a great deal because at that time, I was in a relationship with someone that I really loved and cared for. He left me after that story was published because he thought that I was two timing him, which was patently false. All my explanations to him did not move him and I was devastated. No such thing happened. As an actress have I been close to my directors? The answer is yes - like all other actresses I have had close ad professional relationships with my directors, but that is where it all end - nothing personal.

People just take delight in writing stories that would embarras me. I may be at home, on my bed, watching television as it happened recently, and a journalist would call me to say they just saw me leaving a hotel with Mr. X. When I told that journalist I was on my bed and that he should do his investigations properly, he hung up. A lot of what that has been written about me is not true. can you imagine how wicked people can be by writing that my mother is a witch and that it's that power she transferred to me to have all the men they claimed have been doing my biddings? That was a low blow. We are Christians and abhor anything diabolic, and for anyone to write such a lie shocked me to my foundations. It wore me down, and as human, I couldn't help but shed tears at the blatant destructuve campaign my haters have mounted against me. All I can say is that I leave them to god to judge."

Mercy Johnson accused of breaking up marriages

Call her the most controversal queen of nollywood you will be right, in her short but exceedingly exciting career so far in Nollywood, sexy and 'hippilicious' actress Mercy Johnson has been a lightning rod for controversy. it was as if her success, created an avalanche of hate, disdain, envy and a passion in the tabloid media to celebrate all that define her acting career and personal life in the most sordid and unenviable light. Every imaginable shenanigans - the crazy, the jaw dropping and the totally outrageous have been ascribed to her. You google her name, and you would be confronted with all manner of unsavory stories, most of them with backgrounds in innuendoes, conjectures and others dripping in hate, sarcasm and outright lies. She has among others, been accused of causing the breakup of the marriage of a prominent Nollywood director.

The gist is that she forced the young director abandon his family and children, While he cavorted with her. When the director was no longer seen to be useful to her over all game plan. She dropped him like a hot potato and left the man reeling - an act some in the industry allege contributed to the creative demise of the promising director. She has been accused of dating married men, and using her physical assets to hoodwink, control and even bewitched the men - a situation that has created a steady stream of hatred and disdain from the women whose husbands found in her a more comfortable emotional abode.

Sometime last year, a tabloid media reported that she was accused of having stolen money from one of her lovers and the news was a big Internet sensation. She was said to have been deceived by a married man in Spain, made to believe that he was single, only to realize after telling friends how excited she was to have found the love of her life, that knight in shining armour was happily married, and had just been blessed with a baby. She was said to have been devasted beyond words and almost committed suicide. She has been accused of being a man eater whose sexual appetite and material cravings have seen her provide sexual favors for men in order to keep up with her high-end and high-maintenance lifestyle. Everything that is unsavory has been associate with this young and sexy actress. As an industry insider and one who knows the intrigues and the cutthroat competition that exists in the industry, I have always regarded the stories ascribed to Mercy Johnson with the pinch of salt. I have refused to pass judgement on her personal life, and had been waiting for an opportunity for me to confront her one on one with these mountains of accusations and have her respond to them. It did not help her cause in the sense that she has studiously kept her silence and refused to engage the media in the back and forth reports on her personal life, which in a way was good, because what you are about to read here, would not have been exclusive.

Last year during my trip to Nigeria, I asked her to meet me at my hotel, and She had apologised that she was shooting a movie and would be on set for another five days. Since I had two extra days to stay in Lagos, I told her I would call her when I got back to the States. She had promised to break her silence and tell me everything I and millions of her fans needed to know concerning her personal life. Earlier this month, I called Mercy in Lagos, and for over two hours on the phone, I listened to a sweet, young and talented actress who was seriously in pains due to the mischaracterization of her person, her values and the ethos that define her soul. I listened to a talent who, even though Nollywood has been kind to her, and has rewarded her with success, acclaim and material growth, has thought of packing it up, and calling it quits because she just can't take the personal attacks and lies on her person any longer. I listened to an actress, who tearfully told me "people are just out to destroy me, for reasons I can't adduce." Mercy was frank, and answered my questions candidly because she said "I finally want my fans to know who the real Mercy Johnson is, as opposed to the one that has been painted in the media which I do not even recognize because that is not who I am" I asked Mercy to tell me the truth about all that has been written about her and below, in her own word, I present to you Mercy Johnson taking on all that have been written about her.