Garlands for Nollywood Mr. ‘Famous’ at 50

THERE is a big grand party this weekend in Nollywood. All the movers and shakers of the vibrant Nigerian motion picture industry will converge at a location in Lagos today to celebrate one of their own-a pioneer of Nollywood, Famous Walter McRoy Otakponmwen, who clocked 50 on Monday.

Famous is not one of those you find on a movie poster or jacket but he is certainly one of those who make things happen in Nollywood. A few of those who are today’s stars rode on the back of some productions he has funded and some movie posters he has designed to become notable in the industry.

So even though Famous, who is best known for designing movie posters and cover jackets for some of the sector’s critically acclaimed productions like Igodo and Izaga, operates behind the camera, he is as famous and relevant in Nollywood as some of the big names that graced and have continued to grace the Nollywood silver screen.

But the events marking Otakponmwen’s 50th birthday anniversary would climax tomorrow with a thanksgiving service. It started on Monday with a visit to Regina Mundi’s Old
People’s Home, Mushin, Lagos. Otakponmwen was accompanied to the home by his colleagues, family and friends, where he presented gifts. He says the visit was his own way of giving back to the society.

Outside the movie world, Otakponmwen “plays, sleeps and eats” football and so it was not a surprise to many when a special novelty football
match between Nollywood stars and All Stars International held at the Eagles Club in Surulere. “Football is my other love and I not only follow the game, I still play football because, once a footballer always a footballer. ‘E dey body’ he enthused.

From the football pitch, the party train moved to Xfactor in Surulere, Lagos for a comedy show. Yesterday, Otakponmwen took to the social media to thank his friends and colleagues for the overwhelming accolades, prayers and felicitation that has continued to be showered on him. ‘’I am overwhelmed. Some people had to travel from very far to celebrate me. I have asked God to bless them for me,’’ he said.

Born in Okada, now in Ovia North East Local Council of Edo State and raised in Benin City, the ace producer, printing entrepreneur, actor, former chorister and dancer did not pioneer movie poster and movie jacket printing in Nollywood, but observers say that Otakponmwen’s foray into that line of movie business changed the game. After designing and printing posters and movie jackets for some of the sector’s critically acclaimed movies, it was to Otakponmwen’s Famsota Printing and Films Limited that all roads led to. Everyone wanted the dark, tall and unpretentiously friendly personality and former high school footballer to design and print movie posters and jackets for them. Observers say that it was his designs and prompt delivery of jobs that made Famous quite famous among those who were in the business.

But while the general impression is that Famous started out in Nollywood as a printer, the true story is that Famous had made name as a stage actor before he ventured into the printing business and eventually into directing and movie production.

“No, I didn’t start with printing posters and movie jackets. I started acting way back in 1982, but on stage. One of the memorable stage plays I took part in was Marriage of Anansewa at the Ayota Arts Centre in the 80’s. So I actually started out as an actor before I ventured into printing. But most people don’t know,’’ he explained.

So at what point did he venture into printing? He explained: ‘’I came to Lagos on the invitation of my elder brother to hustle and, along the line, I was engaged as an errand boy by Chief Frank Okpalla who always sent me to a particular printing press to either collect jobs or drop off some jobs. But anytime I got there, I would marvel at how a plain paper could be passed through a machine to produce a printed material. So I approached the manager that I wanted to learn and I would come from Yaba to Surulere everyday to be taught.”

“One day, Chief Okpalla who owned the printing press ran into me in my overall and was impressed. He encouraged me to learn how to operate the machine and that was how I started. He took me in formally as an apprentice. That was how I got into printing business and became the toast of owners of printing press. At this time, there were no acting jobs so I survived only on my work as a printer.”

“At that time, I was staying with the notable movie director Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun in my
one-room apartment. Lancelot directed a movie titled ‘Year 2000’ in 1996 produced by Emma Nsikaku and I played a role and also handled the location and all that. We worked on the movie Yesterday in 1997 and then I was commissioned to produce the poster for Year 2000 starring Ejike Asiegbu and Liz Benson. When the poster was released, I started getting calls from producers to handle their posters. I handled the poster for the Oath, then Igodo and then Izaga and from there I became a bride of Nollywood producers and marketers and even won an award for best poster jacket design at the THEMA awards in 2000,’’ he recalled.

From acting, production management and printing of posters and cover jackets for movies, Otakponmwen ventured into production. He produced his first movie The Reverend in 2001 and followed it up with Razor Blade starring Genevieve Nnaji in 2001 and Dirty Prostitute and To Rise Again in 2002. In 2003, Otakponmwen settled down to fully set up his printing press but again returned to the turf in 2004 to produce Trouble Friends, which was well received.

“The story happened to be the highest-selling movie that I have done,’’ he quipped.

The other movies in Otakponmwen’s production pouch include Two Good Friends, Dr Damian, Battle of Love, What Went Wrong, Wind of Mistake and lately The Needle.

Famous as ‘Walter Disco’ during his high school days, a moniker he earned for his dancing skills, Otakponmwen spends his past time on the football pitch and with family and friends. “I play football three times a week. I love football. I was called bulldozer while in school. I played two principal cup games for my school. I even wanted to go abroad to play football. It was my first choice for a career. I derive joy from playing football. The same way I derive joy from making friends and just relaxing,’’ he said.

Married with children, Otakponmwen who serves as the Chief Coach of the Nollywood football team, has no regrets towing this career path. “No I have no regret’’ he snapped and adds: “It has been rewarding. I am grateful to God because I will say that I am comfortable by His grace. I have gotten recognition both at home and abroad. I am also recognized as an entertainer. That’s enough for me. I may not be a very wealthy man, but am comfortable. I don’t know what I would have been if I’m not doing this work. Right now, I belong to printing and filmmaking.”