Elvis Chuks is an award winning actor, producer cum director. He is arguably one of the best in Nollywood. in an exclusive chat with Sahara Weekly, the talented artiste opened up on why he is one of the best. Excerpts…
It’s interesting to know I’m talking to one of the top producers and directors in Nigeria. How does it feel to be one of the best in Nigeria?
Well, it feels nice and apparently, I would say it’s a matter of understanding your craft, being able to understand what to do at the right time concerning particular project. It takes hard work. For you to be on top is like the saying ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’.
I remember then when you featured in Super Story, did you ever envisage attaining this height within the short period of time?
Even before Super Story, I was big because Uncle Wale and Tunde Kelani met me when they came to South Africa. I was almost in my final year and I was doing a South African television series and they saw my job. After then, I’ve done Age of Paradise and an America movie’ Supernova’ with John Harrison. I’ve been doing big jobs. So, I just see myself as a film maker who derives joy in trying to better his craft and I knew I was moving forward because I was passing through a process.
I remember last year, you clinched a multi-million naira deal. Can you tell us about it?
It was for an American company based in Los Angeles. We’ve started the movie and it’s called For The Wrong Reasons. We’ve shot the Nigeria part, we’ve gone to Johannesburg to shoot a part and next week, we are off to Los Angeles to shoot the main part of the movie then to Las Vegas. We are on the project and it’s coming out beyond my imagination.
It’s amazing. Can you tell us what made you clinch the project?
Personally, I would say it’s because I understand what is expected of me at this point having won Africa magic viewer choice award last year and winning the best director in positive people award so I know that a lot is expected of me at this point. My motivation specifically I would say is the script I’m shooting. I’m really impressed with the stories and I’ve become so much motivated by the stories and secondly, the cast and camera crew It has been a journey and I’m very grateful on this projects
What is the secret behind your success?
Being a multiple award winning director, with the kind of awards I’ve won, winning award from United Nations, Africa Magic, it’s a big honour. I would say the secret is for me to be able to understand my voice as a film maker, the voice of interpretation, the voice of excellence and the voice of knowing how to do it well.
Are you saying all those have given you the opportunity to work with big hands in the industry effortlessly and helped you in having a lot of celebrities in your movies?
I can’t say a yes or no because I’m not really particular about faces but I work with a particular artist who fits a particular role without regarding if he or she is a celebrity or not.
A lot of people don’t know you are that big because you are quiet and humble, what is your say on that?
That should be nice because my works and my awards speak for me and if I’m to blow my trumpet, it’s not good but if my works speaks for me, then the people who really know me will get to appreciate how far I’ve gone.
There is something I discovered. Your case is like that of a prophet who doesn’t get honoured in his hometown. In my research, I got to know that you are more celebrated overseas than in Nigeria, what is responsible for that?
I think I’ve been celebrated in Nigeria too. I Won Nigeria Integrity Film Award, I won Abuja festival film award which was endorsed by Nigerian Broadcasting Co-operation (NBC) so I believe I’ve been honoured in Nigeria. The only award that wasn’t Nigerian is the one I won from the United Nations.