I’m not retiring from acting – Zack Orji

Consistency is one of the features of the acting industry. In fact, the majority of its players know that    being regular faces, coupled with a good talent, can considerably earn them roles while also winning them a fair share of movie lovers.

But for Zack Orji, who has been in the trade for some time, the fact is that he has not been regular on the screen because he is currently concentrating on a much practical aspect of movie-making.

Orji says, “I am not retiring from acting. It is true that I have not been active on screen because I have been involved in a project which involves teaching people different aspects of acting; costuming, lightning designing, cinematography and so on.’’

He explains that he has been doing a kind of itinerant training in the areas in collaboration with another production outfit for various zones in the Niger-Delta.

Orji, who states that they act as consultants to the Niger Delta Ministry, adds that the training will also take place soon in South Africa and Canada.

The actor further says he has just starred in three films that have yet to be released. But when prodded into giving the titles of the films, Orji says, ‘‘ I cannot mention them all now but I can tell you that Half of A Yellow  Sun is one of them.’’

According to the actor who hails from Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, when one has significantly been part of a process, the next thing is for such an individual to consistently make moves that will further advance the system.

 On the state of  the industry, he identifies the major challenge as lack of good scripts. ‘‘Good scripts are lacking. What is responsible for this is the influx of the mediocre screenwriters into the industry.  If I have to participate in any movie, the script must be deep. I have had to reject some roles because I did not like the scripts.’’

Whoever is seeking an answer to why he cuts the picture of a good gentleman both on screen and off screen should hear him, ‘‘I am an ordained evangelist and it is not a hidden thing.’’

The graduate of  Estate Management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka also describes last Thursday’s death of veteran actor, Pete Eneh, in Enugu as regrettable and prays that God would comfort the family he left behind.

His acting career started long ago when he was in the secondary school as a member of the Dramatic Society.  Orji says he used to perform with the society across different cities to the extent that his playlet once won the second position for his school.

“It has been in the family,’’ he says.

Asked if any of his children is toeing his path, the actor says he does not influence their choice of careers. He, however, adds that one of them, Lionel, is doing something similar as an entertainer – a singer. The younger Orji studied Media Studies/Television at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom. Known by the stage name, Leo’nel, he currently has two singles, Baby Joor and Rockstar.

Punch Nigeria