allure 03 May 2020

INTERVIEW
Amanda Ebeye :
Exceptional TV Girl
Words By - Rita Okoye
Everything Amanda Ebeye touches literally turns to gold. The respected actress
and filmmaker, is regarded as the exceptional TV girl since she cut her teeth in
Television with City Sisters in 2009. Now, despite the COVID-19 pandemic,
Ebeye is back with her own TV series titled: It’s a crazy world, that premiered on
Silverbird television (STV) last Thursday. The beautiful Amanda holds a degree in
International Studies and Diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University, Edo State and
later honed her skills in filmmaking from Toronto Film School in the US.
The native of Delta State and mother of one, in this interview talks about her new
work and how the effect of the lockdown on the entertainment industry.
The lock down has been a difficult time for many
entertainers who have had to cancel shows and
production schedules. How has it been for you?
It’s been crazy for me and I guess for everyone
else; but, we keep pushing. Most offices are not
running, especially with what I am doing. Work has
slowed down, there’s been no movement and this has
set me back a little bit but it’s all for the best. If people
staying indoors would help us fight this pandemic, it is
surely the right thing to do. Nothing equates life, work
can always come, food can always come when we
are alive. Life first. It is better to be alive, then we can
work. It is better than lying sick on the hospital or even
dead. I think it is best we obeyed the government, it is
for the good of all and humanity.
What have you missed most since the lock down?
Leaving my house, seeing friends and family, now
all we do is talk on the phone. I just miss things being
normal, but times like this make you appreciate things
you regularly would take for granted, like making out
time to see loved ones. I miss moving around freely.
However, the lockdown makes you appreciate and
value family more. We miss handshakes, hugs and all
the bond. They are all gone for now. COVID-19 makes
us realize little things that matter that we had taken for
granted.
You became famous doing TV than movies. How
did you get on TV?
City sisters was the first TV show and first major
production I ever partook in. It was in 2009 and it was
produced by Gregory and Debbie Odutayo (Royal
Roots). I went for the audition; after the audition,
Debbie asked me what makes me think that I am the
best person for the job and I said ‘because I think that
I am a good actress’ and she laughed. I think she liked
the fact that I am confident at that time that I was
going to get that part. Indeed, I got the role, travelled
to Ghana and we shot City Sisters.
You have a new TV series Its a Crazy World, what
inspired it?
It’s a crazy world was actually inspired strongly by
social media. We all know the pseudo lifestyle that
goes on in that world, the competition. I wanted a
series that would not just be funny, but also, educate
little girls and boys growing up. I wanted it to cut
across all African homes and impact on both young
and old. I wanted something that would teach values,
morals and educate them on the plagues of Social
Media.
Social media is a blessing and a curse at the
same time. People often post only their happy
moment and their fans on social media get inspired.
Those who are admiring the happy people, forget that
there were times these happy people were sad. We
forget that it is no perfect life and that’s what It’s A
Crazy World has come to do-to reveal what went on
before those perfect photos and videos were taken. I
want the series to educate, entertain and make us
laugh.
I was in film school when I planned it, same time I
planned my Short Film, Horrors. It premiered on
Thursday on Silverbird Television.
From the cast, it looks like a high budget
production. How were you able to find it?
Yes, it is a very high budget production and my
partner and I, had to go all out for this production. We
couldn’t compromise. From preproduction, actual
production, to post-production, it was a lot of
investment honestly.
From the beginning of the series, I know that
Bob-manuel Udokwu was going to play Don. I have
never met him, but I was so certain about that. I went
all out to get him to be part of the team. Kunle Coker
too, I know he would be the best to balance it up.
There is this classy carriage about him. Grace Amah,
Treasure Abbasi, Francis Odega, and all. It was a
good balance. Comedy, drama and a whole lot.
In what ways is it different from the other works
you’ve done?
The other film I had shot was a short movie,
Horrors. It was a 40 minutes movie. I have also
collaborated in other productions but they were not
fully mine. It’s A Crazy World is different because I had
to deal with a larger cast and a high budget.
Horrors, I shot in Canada and TV series in Nigeria.
It was really tasking.
You’ve been in front of the camera and behind.
Which experience do you enjoy more?
I’ll say both, in front I’m delivering, behind I’m
creating. As a filmmaker and artiste, I enjoy both
equally.
In spite of your good looks, you are one of the few
celebrities hardly seen on the red carpet. Why is
that?
The combinations I have inside of me is rare. I
love to be in front of the camera but when I’m not
rolling, I could be shy and more of an introvert. I’m not
much of an outing person or red carpet person, but I
go once in a while.
As a mother how do you joggle work-life balance?
As a mother, I multi task well naturally, so I do both
quite well. After I gave birth, I never stopped working.
In fact, having a child even made me work harder. It
pushed me further due to more responsibilities. Now, I
am thinking for two. It is a beautiful experience.
4
/ May 3, 2020