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The name TJ Cole in Nigeria’s movie industry strikes a key note in the formative and golden epoch of the movie industry in Nigeria. In this rare interview with Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, WADONOR editor in chief, the actor fondly known as De Megadon shares insights on a variety of issues most of which examine the past, and a sharing of his perspective on new trends in the movie industry in Nigeria.
First tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Mucktarr Tejan-Cole popularly known as TJ Cole De Megadon. I am a Screen Actor, Broadcast Journalist, Speech Training Consultant, Script Writer, Public Relations practitioner. I launched my screen acting career at the NTA Jos, in the popular TV series SHADOWS as “Chief Pedro” and went on to play major roles with reputable acts like the late Uncle Sam Loko in “EVERYDAY PEOPLE”, Uncle Pete Edochie in “RITUALS”, Uncle Olu Jacobs and Sam Dede in “LAST VOTE”, among several others. I graduated from the NTA TV College with a 2nd class Diploma in TV Journalism in 1995 and made my debut in screen acting that same year while presenting a radio show at the FM 90.5, Radio Plateau 2 in Jos.
What was your early life like?
I started life in Nigeria in Plateau State in 1992 as a Science and English school teacher at the United Faith Tabernacle College in Jarawan Kogi and later at the St Murumba College in Jos.
How did you start being an actor?
It was pure happenstance – one day, I attended an audition for a role in WASTING FOR THE WEST, the NTA Jos entry for the National Festival of TV Programs in 1994. Luckily for me, I was spotted by the erudite Dr. Dul Johnson, HOD, Theatre Arts Department, UniJos. From thence, I went on to play in that telemovie and subsequently in many TV Series, Mini-Series, Telemovies and full length movies in Jos, Lagos, Imo State, Freetown and London! On October 1, 2022 I finally returned to Lagos Nigeria after 20 years abroad, and currently striving to regain my place in Nollywood among my colleagues, kith and kin. Currently I’m based in Abuja where I ply my trade.
Which among the movies that you shot or were featured in was one you can easily remember and why?
Among the movies that I featured in and remember most is LAST VOTE, starring Sam Dede, Olu Jacobs, Enebeli Elebua, Emmanuel Franz and a host of others, and directed by Andy Amenechi!
The LAST VOTE is a political satire that exposes the ills of state corruption and prescribe definite, implementable remedies on tackling and minimizing graft and abuse of office/power.
Some of your contemporaries have said that the movie industry in Nigeria is dead. What’s your take on this?
No, the Movie Industry is very much alive in Nigeria, only the dynamics have drastically changed with the advent of Social Media, Smart phones and other digital platforms. Cinematography or movie making has now become an all-comers enterprise where professionalism is largely consigned to the dustbin and the true professionals sidelined by the neophytes whose sole focus is now on speed and cash.
With the advent of Netflix and other digital platforms several actors and movie marketers face some challenges. Tell our readers what those challenges are and how you have successfully surmounted them.
I don’t know what challenges movie marketers face but I do know that actors face a harrowing experience during auditions and castings for high profile movies with fat budgets. What has become obvious are the many allegations of financial impropriety on the part of Producers and Directors who still pay pittance in artiste fees while pocketing the bulk of the money!
Your role in the movie Blood Diamonds, produced by Sam Kargbo SAN, cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Tell our readers something of the plot and significance of that production for the movie industry in Nigeria and Africa.
Nollywood BLOOD DIAMONDS is a movie whose story and screenplay was co-authored by Barrister Sam Kargbo SAN, and my humble self, and wholly funded by Barrister Sam Kargbo Esq and directed by Teco Benson (DGN). A total of nine top-drawer actors and musicians were flown to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone for the filming of BLOOD DIAMONDS, including Hank Anuku, Shan George, Emeka Okoro, Rita Dominic, Lanre Balogun, Basorge Tariah Jnr, Lt Shotgun among many other Sierra Leone actors and musicians! BLOOD DIAMONDS has its theme drawn from the 11 years bloody civil war that ravaged Sierra Leone and Liberia, the dastardly role diamonds played in fueling hostilities, and the role key state and non-state actors played in the perpetuation of the horrendous carnage perpetrated by the rebel rag-tag armies! BLOOD DIAMONDS is the precursor and reference point for major collaborative ventures between Nollywood and production outfits in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and a whole host of others.
Short movies, also known as skits appear to be the rave of the moment on Tiktok, Instagram and YouTube. Do you see them taking over mainstream theatre and film productions?
No, I don’t see skits taking over mainstream theatre and film. Whereas skits mainly focus on short comedy sketches and humorous parody, mainstream film productions tend to focus on weightier themes and storylines, be they socio-cultural, educative/informative or awareness raising!
What do you see as the future for actors, theatre and the film-making process, especially with the advent of that behemoth called AI?
The future of actors and film making process looks rosy and cozy, with the promise of much bigger budgets and loftier platforms. AI is a creation of human intelligence, therefore actors and cinematographers will always be relevant insofar as human angle stories and endeavors continue to evolve and respond to external changes and challenges. Our human feelings and emotions are best expressed by authentic human performances NOT artificial mimicry!
What roles do you enjoy playing and why?
The roles I particularly enjoy playing in movies and TV series are those projecting educative/informative/awareness raising persona and aura, with a view to correcting perspectives and making the world we live in a better place, irrespective of the setting. I enjoy making people happy in my happiness through my craft.
Do you have a favorable drink, food? What’s your fashion sense? Are you Afrocentric or cosmopolitan?
Do I have a favorite drink? I’m not so sure about that, but let me borrow a popular saying by the late Uncle Sam Loko, “ACB…Any Cold Beer”! I love food especially rice, spaghetti and a few Nigerian dishes like egusi soup, afang with pounded yam. I adore salads and certain snacks. I have a keen eye for style and fashion, so I love dressing up real nice, paying keen attention to trending styles, jewelry and perfumes. However, my best item of clothing is shoes – lots of different designs. Being an alpha Gemini Man, I prefer to strike a fine balance between Afrocentric and Cosmopolitan lifestyles. Of course I’m absolutely proud of my African Heritage and adore the Black Race.
English (US) ·