Colin Nnaama Nwabueze

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Colin Nnaama Nwabueze. Some people call me Colin, or Nna or Buzo! I am originally from Anambra State, Nigeria, but by way of Lagos and Dundalk. Hot weather and cold weather obviously shaped me to be the man that I am today.

Why am I talking about the weather, you ask? As an African, I like the heat; it brings me a particular set of memories and skills to cope with it. If I am thinking about the cold, wet evenings in Dundalk: those times when my hands were as cold as cinderblocks because I underestimated the cold. Or those times when I preferred to stay in because I didn't know what I was getting myself into. What am I saying? When I was growing up, I was rarely let outside.

Outside was where the bad people were. Outside was the unknown, and inside concealed you from all the problems in the world. When I was young my time was split between going to school, playing PlayStation, praying, playing soccer and watching my favourite TV programs or films.

Growing up in Lagos, I don't remember much, other than that we never used to go outside. In fact, going outside the compound was taboo! However, in that stillness, I learned manners and humour; laughing at the world around us, and at our own expense, was always a favourite pastime.

Getting to stretch my legs playing football inside our compound after watching the World Cup was a good find. You know, there's nothing like getting those big, lengthy strides going. Here's another good one: yelling in front of a video camera at the top of my lungs, "My name is Fanta", after drinking a bottle of Fanta. Fond memories! To this day, I can't remember the event. I must ask my mum!

To be quite frank, I have seen various neighbourhoods in Lagos. Ogudu GRA, Gbagada, Satellite Town, Omole Estate, to name a few! The same goes for the British Isles! Middlesex! Essex! Ilford! Kensington! Holborn! Oh man, Middlesex was like living the dream, man. I remember seeing snow for the first time and thinking to myself that it looked exactly like it does in Home Alone! A huge reality check set in when I decided that dipping my hand inside the snow was a good idea.

I got my receipt back and I think I got a little more than I paid for - a frozen hand back. Not that I was complaining. The defrosting bit was the most interesting part. It was like a million eye blinks per second. Excruciating pain! I never did that again, except maybe with caution or experience.

There is nothing more terrifying and scary than watching your house suddenly have an ecosystem, where wild animals suddenly break through the walls in your living room and call it a home. Or watching two lovers evade a sinking ship, even if one of them doesn't survive. Or those state-of-the-art Disney films at the time. That is what I saw in Jumanji, Titanic and The Lion King.

One of the things that I remember so vividly were those creepy low-budget Nigerian films such as Blood Money. The funny films with actors such as Patience Ozokwo, Aki & Pawpaw, Nkem Owoh and many more. Hearing that Super Story theme song on NTA and WapTV every Thursday at 8pm.

Then the move to Ireland came around. It was quite a lengthy stay! We moved around quite a lot. St James's Street and Balseskin in Dublin. Mosney was really nice, because we had a chance to settle down in what used to be a holiday resort that was turned into an asylum centre for refugees. It was really nice. It was a really good time, where I made friends with people I still know to this day! As did my mum, and to a lesser extent my dad. Amazing, isn't it!

When we moved to Dundalk, I should have spent the remaining school year in probably the Friary, which was a popular primary school in Dundalk. I am actually not sure. Instead I spent it at home taking care of my little brother at the time. I have completely forgotten where we lived at the time.

In hindsight, I probably would have preferred to do the remaining three months of primary school before going into secondary school. That would have done my confidence a whole world of good.

Today, with the searing heat beating down on my forehead, when I sit in my makeshift back yard and sip some nice chilled hibiscus, what comes up in my mind would be the next course of action. The next plan. Creativity is nothing new to me.

As a twelve-year-old sitting outside and looking at the floor with such curiosity and focus, I would see the reflection of my eyes on the floor from the sweltering heat. It looked like tiny shadows of people strolling around in a circular motion. I thought it was a tunnel to another dimension. People should actually try this. Whenever it is sunny, go outside and stare at the concrete floor. It's really trippy and weird to hallucinate like that. See! Drug free! I like to have a lot of fun and I take my craft very seriously.

Auditioning for jobs has taught me this ever since I went to drama school. Laser focus. Observe the room, stay in character. Nowadays, when I step into an audition room, I am more open and free. I mean, I could have a conversation. I have been doing this a while to get more comfortable and I will keep going.

As for me, I am currently in Lagos working on a few projects that I will disclose in due time. Who would have thought that after stepping onto some of the most prestigious stages in the arts world, I would get to share it with Nigeria? Haha. You couldn't write a better script! Or act any better. Be it!

I am loving every bit of it. I am looking forward to getting back out to America and making some great art. Some great, magical creative excellence of art! Making some good business decisions, making some money and making some new friends.

My father was a charismatic businessman and eventual politician, a hard worker with a keen eye for adventure and solutions! His inventiveness and creativity are admirable. From doing business, then to oil, and now owning a football club in Anambra State, is a good feat. He is a great guy. When I was young I used to play a lot of football, and he preferred I go into the arts.

Unfortunately, growing up, we didn't see much of this. The guys at the immigration desk had decided that our battalion was too much. After we moved to Europe he was banished and disappeared for a while. Daily phone calls were how we kept in touch, due to passport and visa issues etc.

My mother was a hard-working social care worker. When I was a teenager, I used to admire her and the way she took everything seriously, her attention to detail and her work ethic.

I used to wonder when it would be my turn to honour myself and these two. I used to wonder when it would be my turn to make some money or have a career in the arts. You know, pursue some big dreams!

Oh boy, we had such great times growing up. The kind that would fill an art gallery, or a wine glass up in a gossip room!

They both reside in Lagos for now. They haven't had much time to rest over the last twenty to thirty years. Bless them!

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

I love the fact that I am where my mind can have a little more rest. Meaning I can wake up at ten in the morning and not feel the same regret as I would when I am in London, for example, or New York! Not that I can't display a lot of discipline.

There is something about the Lagos air. There is something surreal about it. It is different to the Californian air and sun. I love both just the same.

I love the food. It differs from region to region. For instance, if I am in Umudioka, I can have jollof rice and it would have its own distinct flavour to let me know that I am home. In fairness, it is all the same!

Being greeted by the sun every day is also a plus. Which technically means I can go to the beach when I want and dress how I want, whenever I want. Visiting national parks has also been a joy. The smell of nature, the sun, and just the sights and sounds of nature can make one fall in love with a region. The crickets, the birds. Even hearing the crocodiles yawn is quite interesting.

Right now, we are celebrating the biggest film festival in Africa here in Lagos. It is called AFRIFF, and some of the biggest stars in America have come to our shores. Stars like Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good. They are also showing the film If I Go Will They Miss Me, directed by Walter Thompson-Hernández and starring J. Alphonse Nicholson.

Even if, ideally, I would have other ideas about where I should be, I am more focused on staying in the present moment. I think that is where all the joy and money is. Missing out on what's going on around me would be a travesty.

Today I was at a restaurant called Gold Plates, in Tallea Mall in Chevron, and there was this dish that I had never eaten in my life. Not sure it was Nigerian, but I am going to go ahead and say that I had a bite and enjoyed it. I will come back and eat it because, well, why not?! It was delicious!

Some days I travel on the road as part of a convoy. The lush grass and busy roads pretty much take the attention of my eyes and ears. I don't sleep much on those days, except when I am travelling from city to city on a plane. The horrendous state of the roads has really cut my attention, so much so that after travelling with a convoy on two separate occasions, those trips have since come to a stop!

However, those bad roads are part of what makes Nigeria what it is. The bad infrastructure, the broken English, the little towns at the side of the roads, including the gutters. Yup! That's Nigeria right there. That's home!

The biggest thing I love about Nigeria is having family around. That's something you don't throw away, because it is priceless. I've got distant relatives or extended family all around the world. Some that I am not actually related to, but we share great memories together, so they count as family!

On Sundays, we make the considerable effort to go to church, which is something I cherish. I have been making this commitment my whole life, and I am not about to let that train stop.

Making movies in Nigeria has been a treat. Right from my very first conversation with a well-known producer and actress in Nigeria. We had a little talk before I went on set for The Benjamins. It was a good experience. It was very different to the locations and sets I was used to in the United Kingdom.

I learned a lot about how Nigerians like myself operate on set. The set tempo and dynamism. I could see, by the use of colours, the differences in locations and the volume of people on set, what making movies and cinema means to them.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I would term myself a business. Yes, me, Colin, is a business! I am the most important project that I will ever undertake, and I am still growing. Life has funny ways of reminding us of our self-importance. Do I want to be an A-list actor, who stars in the best films and plays, with the best actors and cast!

I want to work with other film companies and theatre companies. I do make films by myself to show these bigger production companies, in order to get more funding to make films. Or to show to my favourite filmmaker, director, producer, CEO or writer.

I am lucky enough to have a few businesses. Let me explain them to you. Caban Production is my film company. To me, the next growth as an actor would be to have a film production company and a theatre company. Luckily I have both.

Apart from auditioning and working on my craft, having a film production company and a theatre company gives me control of my craft creatively. It gives me the creative right to write a project and then go and make a film or a show.

My film company started because I just had a need to tell stories and be in more projects. I always thought that if I had more creative input in my career, I would be taken more seriously, despite the qualifications. It is sort of like me growing up and saying, I need to do more, I can be more and contribute more to cinema and theatre!

I needed more control because sometimes the space between working and not working means that I can develop work and be busy. So it is a win-win for me.

It's all about artistic expression and committing to a cause. I like the whole process of filmmaking. Acting in front of the camera is the same as working on stage or doing voiceover. The only difference is that there is a camera sitting in front of you and you have to play to the camera.

I have been in touch with a few people who can help me with these scripts that I do have. I am working on doing a great job with it, so much so that it would be fit to grace great studios and the best cinemas. Which will put me in or in front of great magazine covers such as The Hollywood Reporter, GQ, Variety and Deadline.

Listen, at the end of the day, as I have previously said, I am a business and I have to make the calls myself. And in life, as it is said, "It doesn't matter how you get knocked down in life, it matters how you get back up."

I have made the choice to put my goals down in writing, and I am very specific about them. To write and produce my own films is one of them, as we are talking about now, and to make theatre with like-minded people is another. I have now begun plans to make a theatre company as well. To work with great actors and directors and big studios is all part of this artistic goal. To work on Broadway, to win one of the major awards! Awesome! I also have personal goals.

I also have real-life goals, which include working as a teacher, like I explained on the set of Into The Woods With Love, where I taught movement, voice and bodyweight exercises. Basically physical theatre. I also work in oil and as a writer, interviewer and photographer. I also have a media company, LOL, haha. I have money goals. I have also delved into fashion!

To me it's all about collaboration, because if I am being honest, there are so many production companies out there. Well, if not, why don't we all get together and share the work? Share the scripts, the cameras, the spotlight, the producers, the magic formulas in making a great film. Why don't we come together under one big umbrella and collaborate? I think that is a good question.

I am starting a theatre company. It doesn't have a name yet, but we plan on telling the great stories. Classical literature, contemporary and original works. We plan to make use of different genres such as musical, tragedy, melodrama, comedy, tragicomedy and absurdist theatre.

Again, I have scripts. I have people I want to collaborate with. If I look into the history of theatre in America, specifically African American theatre, there's something about seeing myself on stage. Seeing people from many different cultural heritages share the stage to tell a story. We can take it back to William Alexander Brown's company from 1821 to 1823. The first black theatre troupe in America, at the African Grove Theatre in New York City! Those 'coon shows' by Sherman H. Dudley come to mind!

It is funny how those early plays by William Alexander Brown, William Wells Brown and William Easton still inspire playwrights a hundred years or so down the line. Plays such as The Meeting, Carlyle Brown's The African Company Presents Richard III, Paul Robeson and Twilight: Los Angeles.

We will also be exploring colonial and post-colonial theatre. What I mean is exploring the different themes in our diaspora. We will be looking at narratives that traverse and intersect several themes, including post-colonialism, transnationalism, interculturalism and Afropolitanism, amongst many others.

Fitness has always been a part of my life, and finding a way to train and make my life easier, healthier and better as an artist has always been at the forefront of my life. I work with different practitioners, so I am always a student. It is much like drama school. Because even if we lift weights, we certainly manage the breath, voice and movement aspect of things while we hit those weights.

As a result of working on the film Into The Woods With Love, I have had the chance to work with some real people. I don't want to mention too much. I trained them on movement, voice, breath and bodyweight exercises. Training people who work in the wilderness that way!? That's got to be groundbreaking!

As a result of working on this film project, I now have a chance to delve into fashion. They asked me to make some shirts, water bottles and other goodies to make the staff interested in fitness. I then thought maybe I could create a sportswear brand and also some clothes that are inspired by hiking in the woods and being a park ranger. Now I am thinking that for each of my films, I will have some merchandise attached to it!

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

The advice I would give to someone who is starting a business is: know who you are and what you want to be. That way you can be permanently at the wheel of your own ship. As an actor, you are going to meet plenty of people who are going to try and tell you what to do or how you should be. Listen, you should listen to the advice of mentors and people who want to help you. Don't get me wrong.

At the end of the day, you get to make that call and decide for yourself what kind of actor you want to be and what kind of projects you want to be involved in.

I don't want to do things half-arsed. I want everything well prepared, well researched and done the right way! Making use of pain is another trick, as they say in business. Many a time I have been pained by things that didn't go my way, people who upset me, but I have to use it as fuel to keep going.

At the end of the day, it is what works best for you. Whatever business or businesses you end up in, please give it your all and your full attention!

Have your list of goals down. Your work goals and then your real-life goals. These are the things you should be working on. Also what sort of goals you would want to have five years from now, ten years from now. This will ensure that you will always have a clue about where you are on your journey!

Also give thought to the people who are on your team. Make sure everybody is on the same wavelength, and also make sure you share a good camaraderie and togetherness with them.

Another good piece of advice is knowing who you want to be and knowing what kind of legacy you want to create!

Position yourself well to attract investors. This is one of the most important factors. For me, investors could be collaborators, or people who believe in what they see or in my talent. Those are good bargaining chips. People who believe in your idea for a project and want to work with you!

I find that, to help steer the wheel during the chaos, mindfulness always works for me. You know, sometimes chaos is good, as well as all the noise. Some people thrive in that. I would advise that maintaining some sanity during the chaos is always advisable. You know, you don't want to lose yourself at all during any turbulent season, or even when everything is plentiful.

I always tend to overthink situations, which my teachers always tried to beat out of me at RCSSD. Thankfully they did. I do ever so often say stuff like that to throw people off. Thinking too deeply in business is not good. I don't want to slow my ship down for anybody.

The one piece of advice I would give anybody starting a business is: bet on yourself, because anybody from anywhere in the world can build a business from scratch, regardless of experience!

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

You know what, I've had quite a few nice words thrown my way throughout the years. The most recent one was the work I did with Val Edochie for two film productions called Letter To God and Almost Her.

The director, Magnifique Ecrivaine, said I was a joy to work with because I made her life easier. Aside from that, the most recent job that I am doing would be for Into The Woods With Love.

I have been doing all the prep work with Lekki Conservation Centre, and I have done more than my prep work for the film. I've actually helped with training staff and working as a park ranger. The manager of Lekki Conservation Centre said I was a credit to work with. He also said that I was committed to bettering the environment. My fellow park rangers were always better off than they were because I was there.

For the play I did with Olivia "Ebanehita" Andrews, I received a lot of plaudits for my performance. They said my performance was great and that Chief Ojie was such an evil man. They loved the way I would call my flower Olivia Andrews. They found my performance both haunting and endearing!

Michael Garsin of Ariella said it was good to work with me and he is open to doing so again! Yasser El Ansari was really happy with how Shout Out turned out, and he is very open to working with me in the future.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see myself being in award-winning films, plays, etc. I see myself without a day job eventually, as residual income is the best way forward.

One day it would be nice to be able to be in a cast with all of my favourite actors and actresses. It could be in a play or a film, or maybe both. Either way, the future looks great! Opening a big studio somewhere between Anambra and Asaba would be really good. Much like what Tyler Perry has in Atlanta. And also a theatre, much like they have on Broadway. That would be really cool, to develop an undeveloped place like that.

Now, understand that I don't have any money or anything like that. So I am just thinking out loud. I am not sitting on huge reservoirs of wealth and inheritance. If I am, someone please show it to me!

There, as I was saying, I don't know how much land I would need, but I guess we'll see what happens.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

First and foremost, I wouldn't call it an industry, so if you're looking to engage me in this argument, you can go ahead and give it a miss. I am talking from experience, and from having been told so in a circle, with all participants sitting on wooden chairs. And I quote: "It is not an industry; using that term downplays all that we are working on and striving for." Not in those words, but I'll explain. Calling making movies an industry is about the most distasteful and tacky thing I have heard anybody say!

Cinema is an art form. It is also visual storytelling, which combines acting, cinematography, music and editing into creating a wonderful piece of art. We who spend our time, hours and hours of it, would not want to see our creative energy reduced to a motionless factory or corporate product!

Amongst other weird claims: I was at an improv night a few days ago and a few people had come up and said to me that Nollywood and Bollywood were two different genres altogether. On a par with horror, drama, romance, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, spaghetti westerns! I was so confused!

How is Bollywood a film genre? I had to do my research, as they had twisted my arm. And Google agrees with me! They call it an industry, even if I don't want to use that word at all. What would my Hollywood friends think of all this? Or should I say American friends!

As an actor, you have to be the loudest in the room to make it or be noticed. That's just plain wrong. The same dirty work you do behind the scenes to get good at anything applies here! That means no instant gratification or people thirsting over your 'look'. Even if you have it, it's not a sustainable way of doing things, as sooner rather than later, when the work rolls around, you will have to uphold your talent and what you have been working on.

There is no instant glamour, fame or fortune. When I was in England, I didn't see many rejections. I was lucky to have it like that. Being in Nigeria has been a fresh start, likewise, but everybody gets rejected once in a while.

An actor has to be insanely technically sound, showing your knowledge in script analysis, movement, voice, emotional vulnerability and physicality. These take years to develop! Signing with an agent doesn't mean you've hit the jackpot either. You can sign with an agent and not hit it off, or hit a dead end!

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

The biggest struggle I have building any business I have would be indecision. Deciding that I don't need an extra source of income, or something to do when I am not working, is a real blow. It really is, because I think I could do much more.

Especially if you think about how actors book jobs and earn money. Anything that works around me working as an actor, that also brings joy to my life and also brings in money, is a huge plus.

The idea that someone can give you bad advice or something deceptive can be true, especially if the advice they have given you is a direct contradiction of what others have said. People of great repute! The advice was something like: don't start a production company.

No reason as to why that was said, or an explanation, which would have been nice. Every practitioner in film will tell you to put your own stuff out there; it doesn't have to be a production company. Your goal is to get seen as much as possible!

Getting the funding in to produce the films and plays that I have written. Or even if it is for original material. I would love to get people on my side who believe in my project or the vision for my career.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

My favourite music artist when I was growing up? To be honest, I liked a lot of artists on MTV and Channel O. I could list a whole glut of artists off the top of my head. Eminem, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., The Fugees, Ja Rule, P Diddy, Jay-Z, Nas, Wyclef Jean, Missy Elliott, Outkast, Destiny's Child, Madonna, Michael Jackson. My outright favourite musician growing up was those Aftermath guys. Or Michael Jackson! Actually, it is Michael Jackson. Thriller, Billie Jean and Beat It still resonate a decade later and beyond!

Because I am working on a musical, I have had to delve into other genres at an incredible depth, such as gospel, jazz etc. Normally I would be a hip-hop head, with RnB spices and of course the big pop genre!

The R's did it for me growing up. First it was the Brazilian Ronaldo, and then Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, because I am a huge Manchester United fan. The crest of Manchester United did the business for me. I am still upset that Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid! Manchester United are the greatest club in the world! Full stop.

It just looks so iconic and respectable. The colours of the club and those youth players such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs! Those are great, great players! I think the current bunch are coming on just fine!

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I would like to shout out God, first and foremost, because without him I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't live the life I live. I wouldn't be here without his good fortune, and I am grateful for that. There were days when I was miserable and God helped to pull me through. I have been in the mud and made it out, and I hope whoever is reading this can pull through as well.

I would like to shout out the teachers I had who taught me valuable lessons on my journey. I will always appreciate them.

I want to mention two teachers in particular. I won't mention their names because, well, I'm not sure if they want me blabbing their names out like that. The first was a dream teacher I had in England, because she taught me about spatial awareness and she taught me my foundation in acting, e.g. stakes and status, movement, voice, script analysis, improv, cool dramatists and insight into work environments. The next one really helped me instil belief in my acting, as did the previous. A huge thanks for even saying yes to me in the first place.

I would like to also thank her, because she also furthered my education in the dramatic arts and performance. She said being an actor wasn't going to be easy, and she was right. It's full of unpredictable moments. I have to be loyal to what she teaches, at all times. Obviously I have a mind of my own, with my own viewpoint. It really helps.

All the acting teachers and practitioners I ever had. You know what, even down to my nursery school teachers, I really appreciate everybody. Gaiety School of Acting for giving me my first lessons in acting. I would love to mention my teacher at Stanford School of Acting Lagos. She's great. Stanford School of Acting, because it is Lagos! Also Masha Music School for keeping my fingers busy and my vocal cords busy! A special shout out to SingBeta Academy Lagos.

I would like to thank my mother and father for having me on this earth, because I wouldn't have it any other way. I really appreciate them for the culture they instilled in me. For telling me right from wrong.

I want to thank all the directors I have ever worked with for giving me my first taste of what it is like to work in front of a camera. Also thanks to casting teams and my cast members!

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Online is the best way to learn about me and my company. Our website is going through an upgrade. You can find out more news and info about me here:

Website: https://www.colinwabueze.com

Instagram: @callmecol_1

YouTube: @Colinnwabueze180