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.

Excerpts:

 

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.

What beauty routine do you keep to maintain your looks?
Honestly, for beauty routine, I always wash my face with water. I don’t sleep with Make-up on. I drink lots of liquid (not water). I am not really a fan of water.

What are your go-to beauty products?
Ole Henrisken night cream and serum and Sunday Riley Ceo brightness line. One thing about me is that I don’t whiten my face or use bleaching cream, everything about my body and face have to be natural. The beauty products I use, their major ingredients is Vitamin C and it helps me a lot.

Your most prized fashion item?
I’m really not in to super expensive things. I buy things I’m comfortable in and that looks good on me. So, most priced fashion item I really cannot say.

What life lessons would you be taking from the COVID-19 lock down experience?
I have learned to treasure family more, friendship and family time. Right now, they are memories. We can’t come in contact with large family and it takes a lot away from us. Every moment we get to see each other, we should treasure it because we don’t know tomorrow. It is best we make good use of our today.