The Nigerian movie industry is still relatively young especially when compared to other movie industries that have been around for a lot younger. And for a young and growing industry, Nollywood has actually done quite well for itself and is continuing to get better each day. Of course for this to happen, it calls for sacrifices and dedication from those involved.

Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson in a new interview on LiveWithLynda is opening up about some of the sacrifices he has made, even physically, for the movie industry and responding to people who criticize the industry so harshly especially comparing our works to those of Hollywood blockbusters for example.

Speaking about the comparisons and sacrifices he's made to be a filmmaker, Timini Egbuson revealed his personal and professional sacrifices saying:

TIMINI EGBUSON: You guys are too hard on us. Like, bro, make a film, then maybe you will understand. You guys are too hard on us.

When I see the criticisms sometimes—Twitter especially—like, when you want to see real feedback, you go on Twitter and see, "Why this thing?" Bro, don't worry about that particular thing. Just understand that they tried, you know, and it will get better. I'm not making excuses for anybody, but what if that was the only shot and it's pivotal to the story?

Like, you know, bro, these things... Let's remember that we're all underpaid—even down to me, down to everybody. We are all underpaid for what we put in. It doesn't make any sense, especially for the actors—for the fame that comes with it, for the packaging that you have to do, for the late nights. See, part of the fact that I'm single is because of Nollywood.

Cuz I can't shoot from morning till night, then still go home and be telling one person how my day was. I'm literally ready to die on the bed, you know? Those are all the things I sacrifice. Till today, I don't hear—my hearing is messed up. I've never talked about it, but my hearing is messed up because of an accident on set.

This was like four years ago. Like, literally, people that are close to me know that I no dey hear. Do you understand? So those are things that we sacrifice just because of the fact that we love the industry. I no dey hear. Do you understand? Like, I'm actually going to finally get hearing aids just to sort it out, but it's that bad.

So when I come back and I see people give us so much stick, it's like, bro, I'll leave this industry for you. You people will beg me if I go. Oh, you will actually beg me.

So please, I'm begging you on behalf of actors, filmmakers—all you people that are hard on Nollywood—please, abeg, just manage. Manage with us. We'll get better. We are not where we were five years ago.

What do you think about what Timini Egbuson had to say? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

That's All.

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