Veteran Filmmaker, Teco Benson Reveals His Biggest Fear In Life

Veteran Nigerian filmmaker, Teco Benson, speaks to BLESSING ENENAITE about his contributions to the movie industry over the years, achievements and other issues in this interview.

What will you describe as your biggest achievement in your career?

I think I have touched lives. I know a lot of people got into the industry for what they can get but the kind of achievement that I cherish more is when I see the impact of these movies.  As a film-maker, one tells stories not just to entertain people but because one should educate, inform, change perceptions, change society, and change behaviours positively. The high point of my career was when the Federal Government called me and gave me a national honour in appreciation of my contribution to the industry.

 How did it feel to be honoured by former President Goodluck Jonathan?

I was very elated and it was a period of sober reflection because I was able to look back at when we started that industry. I was happy that I was alive to see such recognition come to me and the industry. Nowadays, parents send their children to film schools abroad and we are happy that we are able to build the film industry to a state where it has become attractive to everybody. On that day when I was given the national honour, I was glad that the government saw my effort and contribution and chose to honour me. It was an indication that our efforts were and is still not in vain. When you think nobody is taking notice, people are actually watching and the government is also watching and taking notes.

 Why did you leave civil service to join the industry?

My childhood fantasy was to be a medical doctor. Eventually, I did not study medicine and whatever I studied or found myself doing even in civil service did not give me fulfilment because that was not what I wanted. At a point in my career, I was even confused about what to study because I was good in accounting, economics, biology, and other areas. Having joined the civil service, I did not get that fulfilment but I was dedicated to my job. The movie industry wasn’t popular in those days, but when a movie titled ‘Living in Bondage’ came out in 1992, it changed a lot of things in the media space and it was like a window of opportunity. The moment I got the opportunity to get into the industry, I didn’t waste time as I jumped into it. I was practising film-making and at the same time, I was working as a civil servant until 1997 when I decided to throw in the towel. I have been in this industry since then and I am happy I made that decision. I am self-employed, do my things the way I want, and it gives me great joy.

 What are some of the principles that helped you survived in the industry?

Discipline and self-control are some of the principles that have helped me so far. Besides, I have known that a good name is better than riches and what you sow is what you reap. With these at the back of my mind, I became very conscious of what I do and I am very focused on my business.

 How have you managed your career and your family?

There is a notion that people in the entertainment industry do not manage their families well because of the few divorce cases we have seen among them. This makes some people believe that our marriages are not stable. I got married in 2001 at the peak of my career and I recently celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary. I planned right from when I was in secondary school that I would get married at the age of 30 and I already pictured what my marriage would be like. My plan was to run a responsible home and take care of my family and this made it easy for me to project how my life would be. Initially, I was very engrossed in my job even while married but I had to adjust myself when my wife complained. I had to create time for my family and not allow my job to interfere with my family.

 Do you think the government has invested enough in the industry?

The government has not invested enough. The last administration tried to help in capacity building and in funding the industry. It was the first time it happened because in many years, the industry started on its own without any support from any government and it was private-sector driven with individuals pushing for its growth with little or nothing. These individuals put in their all to make it very big to the extent that it became the second-largest industry in the world. During the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan, Project Act Nollywood was floated which enabled practitioners to be sent for short training in foreign universities and film schools. This was because many people practising in the industry did not have any background in film-making before. The former government also funded some production houses because many practioners ran out of money as a result of system failure that hindered them from making movies. These people were given grant by the government to shoot their movies. So, these contributions by the government of Goodluck Jonathan cannot be quantified.

 How can movie makers and the industry attract more investors?

Before now, the banking industry did not take our work seriously but right now after the Project Act Nollywood, the government through the Bank of Industries gives out loans with little interest to film-makers. After other banks saw the flow, they began to develop interest. If you have a project that can triple your capital, you will discover that any investor will have interest in it.

 What are your greatest fears in life?

My greatest fear is dying and going to hell. There are people who do not believe that there is life after death or that there is heaven or hell. But I believe that there is heaven and hell and this makes me live my life every day striving to live a good life to the best of my ability so that I will not go to hell after death.

 What is your message to newcomers in the industry?

A lot of newcomers see the industry as a playing ground and are just there to make money. I will counsel them to take it as a profession if they have any interest in the industry. First, ask yourself if you are gifted and have the talent in a specific field apart from acting? There are other sub professions in the industry asides from acting. There is directing, make-up, photography, creative writing, cinematography, and the likes. Everyone has a calling and if you do not have the gift, you will struggle. I have seen people that have been doing ‘waka-pass’ roles for the past 30 years and they have not made any progress in the industry.

Can you tell us one food you can prepare very well?

I can prepare jollof rice, bitter leaf soup, and vegetable soup.

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Source: The PUNCH