Why I Prefer Not to Be Called an Actor or Actress - Shaffy Bello

Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello is opening up about why she doesn't like being called an actor during a new interview with The Will Downtown. Shaffy made the revelation when asked how she prepares for the intense roles she plays, and also revealed what she prefers to be called instead. Here's exactly what Shaffy said.

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Speaking about why she doesn't like being called an actor after being asked "How do you prepare mentally and emotionally for the intense roles that you play? ", Shaffy Bello revealed saying:

SHAFFY BELLO: For me, I’ve often said being called an actor is not something that I like. But, of course, it’s an internationally known word to use. I often say I love being called a becomer because I always say that once the camera goes on and we hear action, if you’re acting, then you’ve failed. You should become the character.

Even after reading a script once or twice to get into character. I’m not going to lie, there are some scripts you read and it’s very easy to become because it’s just second nature. You’ve played such characters over and over again. It’s not a big deal anymore. But I still read some and still find it a little bit difficult. I did a film recently, The Masked King, and I had to play a queen in Calabar and it was in the colonial days, Mary Slessor days. The film should be out very soon. And in that film, I had to speak a little bit of Calabar here and there. I had to be very indigenous to the people. So, to achieve that, I went back and studied some of the nuances, how they are, and who they are as a people. Calabar people are very calm. I would look through the people while we’re on set. I would just, you know, watch the women. See the way their nuances and things like that. So you study, and that’s how you become. You study why they are who they are or why that character is who she is.

I gave a class recently to some actors. And I was telling them that it’s very important to have a character bible of the character you’re about to play. When she’s angry, if she’s an angry character all the time, you want to ask, why is she angry? And then, if you look back, you probably find out or give that character a story. It helps to define the reason why a character is like that. Because we’re only human, when we’re playing these characters, we’re playing real people. When the writer sat down to write the character, there was a reason behind every character and their nuances. Why are they angry? Why are they always happy? Why are they confused? Why do they want to be married? Why do they want children so badly and they are doing whatever it takes? There is a reason behind everything. So, if you know the reason behind why a character is who they are, and you give yourself that story, it makes it easier. But to put it in a short word, you study hard.

What do you think of what Shaffy Bello had to say? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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