Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has revealed that American actors are now studying the production processes of Nollywood. According to Kanayo, Hollywood actors are curious about how Nigerian movie producers deliver projects, which typically take months, in just a few weeks.
Speaking on the Honest Bunch podcast on Monday, Kanayo explained that the intricate nature of the Nigerian acting profession demands immense effort, perseverance, energy, patience, and dedication.
“Americans from New York came to study us,” Kanayo said. “They noticed our efforts and asked, ‘How do you achieve in one week what takes us about a month?’ It became a course of study for them. They saw the zeal we put in.”
Kanayo emphasized that Nollywood is no longer viewed as insignificant. He stated, “Gone are the days they saw our work as nothing. The term ‘Nollywood’ itself evolved from the perception of ‘Nothingwood.'”
Related NewsKanayo O. Kanayo Introduces Son to Nollywood Family
“Give Your First Salary to Your Father For His Blessing, Not your Pastor” – Kanayo
Kanayo asserted that Nollywood actors, including himself, work incredibly hard to produce quality films, unlike some productions seen today. He also compared his dedication to that of Hollywood star Denzel Washington, mentioning the challenging conditions under which Nollywood actors work.
“During production, 2k lights are projected on us, and they are so hot they could burn you if you get too close. I have spent long hours working under these conditions,” Kanayo said. “If Denzel Washington put in the hours I do here, his skin color would change to charcoal the next day.”
He also discouraged the segmentation of Nollywood into various “woods” like Kannywood, Yorubahood, and Asabawood, insisting that there is only one Nollywood, akin to Hollywood.