Not available for older content•1 min•Published: Thu Dec 20 2018
How to Build a Successful Acting Career In Nollywood
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Christina Ngene
I am a movie enthusiast with a passion for writing and a desire to see the African movie industries grow. I try to use my skills as an artist to cheer for Nollywood by writing for NollyMania. • Syndicate Correspondent
Visual representation of subject: " perspective"Fly News Wire (2026)
If you are looking to build an acting career in Nollywood, it is important to seek proper guidance. You are going to struggle and may remain at the same point for a long time without any good advice to follow. Even tenacity may fail you if you do not have this knowledge. You will just exhaust yourself from trying too hard. There are certain things almost anyone will run into in the beginning, and then it is good to have the support of someone who has already been through it.
Common Challenges
Most current movie stars did at one point find themselves in the same situations as anyone trying to build an acting career. Sooner or later you will also probably find yourself in one or more of the following situations:
You are unsatisfied with the kind of jobs you are getting.
Hardly getting called back after auditions. This can be very frustrating.
Having little or no contacts and not knowing audition dates, times and locations.
Make a plan with specific goals (Photo: Geralt)
These are all common experiences of a person who is not having the career they dreamed of. If that is you, you probably haven’t used the right approach. Or your approach isn’t aggressive and systematic enough to get you the acting career you desire. In most cases, the lack of progress can be attributed to the lack of a clear plan. All top movie stars had to put in a lot planning to get where they are. Planning is the most important step to successfully build an acting career in Nollywood.
How You Can Get Ahead to Build an Acting Career
It is time to stop and think if there is something you are not doing right. The list below will serve as a checklist for you to find out why your acting career is suffering.
Rejection is perfectly normal. When you first begin, you might experience a lot of rejections and you may not be able to handle them, but do not be discouraged by rejection.
You aren’t creating a technique. Try creating a unique technique that will draw attention.
Stop dwelling in your comfort zone. Get out of it a little bit.
You are not being flexible. Unmask yourself and be vulnerable. Vulnerability is a weapon in acting, not a weakness. Directors want to see your open heart while acting. Don’t be afraid to look stupid.
Pay attention to other actors performances. Acting is not about you alone.
Be relaxed and enjoy what you are doing.
Understand the character you have been told to play.
Connect with others. You do not build an acting career alone in Nollywood. Be friendly, sociable and approachable. But also be careful not to pair with the wrong people. Pairing with the wrong set of people in the industry is risky.
Nothing should stop you from preparing well for auditions. Don’t attend auditions looking tired.