An American-trained movie maker, Linda Obasi, has said she has returned to Nigeria to play an active role in the Nigerian movie industry where she can contribute to the industry.
Obasi, who lauded the growing movie industry, however said a lot still needs to be done if the industry would continue progressing in terms of quality and management.
She is the founder of Enyi Media Company, which she said was formed in 2007 in New York, the US.
The US-trained movie star acted in several movies including the highly rated movie called Overseas, alongside legends like Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), Nonso Diobi, O’Fia Mbaka, Susan Obi and more.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film from Cornell University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The Theatre School (DePaul University).
The highly skilful movie star is currently in post-production of a wellness docuseries and said she established EnyiCast, Nigeria’s premiere casting app, as a platform for entertainment industry casting and production staffing to help streamline the hiring process.
Obasi said Nigeria’s film industry is highly regarded in the world and it’s the fastest growing film industry.
She explained that after her university education in the US, where she studied filmmaking, she developed the inspiration to join the industry and contribute to its development.
“Nigeria’s film industry is the most dynamic and fastest growing in the world.
“Black people from many different countries and cultures love Nigerian movies.
“I grew up in New York watching Aki and Paw Paw and Mama G.
“My friends from Jamaica and Senegal know the Nollywood celebrities and play the movies in their shops and homes.
“After studying film, I knew I had to be a part of this industry. My family left Nigeria when I was a child, but when I heard the calling to be a filmmaker and at the same time my home country has a burgeoning industry, this was the inspiration,” she stated.
She told journalists that she’s not just joining the industry like any other person but to contribute and develop it in a way.
To achieve this, she revealed that she developed a special app to bring both casting and talent together.
She explained that, “I earned a Masters Degree in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University after the Bachelors in filmmaking from Cornell University.
“Acting is my main focus and I entered Nigeria’s film industry as an actor.
“I audition like everyone else and I’ve played a few roles in films on Africa Magic, RokTV, Netflix and Amazon.
“Yes, I am bringing something new to the table. In 2005, before social media and smart phones were launched I had an idea to help streamline casting by creating a website or software that contained a database of talent, a newsfeed for job posts and direct messaging functionality,” she said.
Going down memory lane, she pointed out that, “By 2007, I had designed EnyiCast as a website and it was built by an Abuja based IT Specialist, but at the time, I didn’t have the ability to stay in Nigeria and market it.
“In 2022, EnyiCast was rebuilt as a mobile app and launched in August of that year.
“This time there are more structures in place that aid in marketing, such as social media and this app is really going to revolutionise the film industry in Nigeria.
“Casting apps have already become the standard internationally and Nollywood is seeing just how easy it makes casting,” she added.
Obasi further explained that the app would revolutionise the industry noting that its interface is simple and could be the game changer in the country’s movie industry.
“EnyiCast is very user friendly. It takes five to seven minutes to sign up and create a profile.
“Casting people can post jobs and browse talent.
“Talent can browse the jobs and apply for them by contacting the casting people who posted the jobs and auditions.
“It’s nationwide and jobs are posted daily from Lagos to Abuja and all the busy production hubs in Nigeria.
“Currently, casting happens by word of mouth and people who know each other,” adding that the app when used would be the game changer.
She added that, “Sometimes casting briefs are shared in WhatsApp groups and this method is widely used, but the casting people have to wait for responses from talent and hope people who match the roles will reach out.
“It’s a tedious and time consuming task to sort through the entries. EnyiCast’s database and search functions cut down the time spent casting to a mere fraction because it’s digital and very user friendly.
“EnyiCast will save everyone time and time is money. It will also give more actors a chance to be seen, actors who might otherwise had few if any options to showcase themselves on a professional platform.
“The current state of casting in Nollywood is working, but can be convoluted, unfair and time consuming.
“EnyiCast benefits everyone involved and in no time it will be a household name and the industry standard for casting and production staffing.
“It’s available everywhere for Android and iPhone. More EnyiCast info is at enyimedia.com/enyicast” the American trained movie maker said.
