Ghanaian actress, Bless Fortune, has encouraged aspiring actors and actresses to find themselves, explore, and avoid nudity in their acting careers, saying negative attitude can harm their future prospects.
According to her, social media, while necessary for our new social lives and development, also remained a dangerous playground which could spell doom if not used with caution.
She emphasised that pictures uploaded on the internet remained there forever and, hence, the need to embrace decency as an ingredient at all times.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Statesman on Monday, the actress disclosed that it took her nine years to be on screen, aside stage acting.
“Decency is classy. Nudity isn’t the way to go…work on your craft to protect your prospects. Put value on your craft. Know your worth and learn constantly as an actress/actor because theatre evolves and you should also embrace it. Be patient, work hard and never think stardom is attained overnight. Remember that it gets uglier before it gets better,” she advised.
Stage acting
Touching on stage acting, she said it had prepared her better for screen because being in drama and on stage improves professionalism.
“Stage acting is the beginning of professional behaviour. When in the dramatic arts, you have to make a great impression on directors, support fellow actors, show enthusiasm, work hard and treat everyone with respect,” she said.
She indicated that she has not abandoned stage acting, despite the fact that it is time consuming, and that she is able to learn her lines without forgetting them.
“Anyone who wants to be on the screen will need to have stage experience. It’s the best place to begin your craft. All of the best actors, including Denzel Washington, Adjetey Anang, Fred Amugi, and Edinam Atatsi, had their backgrounds from there,” she pointed out.
On set
On overcoming challenges on set, she intimated that she loved to mind her business and doesn’t engage in competition whenever she goes on set.
“Anytime, I go on set, I do me, and I don’t engage in competition. So, some people want to be like I don’t even know you…But at the end of the day, I use my platform for the positive things. The only competition I have is me. I just want to be better than the woman I was yesterday. I don’t care who is prettier, smarter, intelligent than me. I’m me, and there’s only one better version of me,” she noted.
Build legacy
The talented actress also advised industry players on the importance of leaving a legacy, citing how Adjetey Anang, Fred Amugi, Edinam Atatsi and others have done so.
“These individuals are the “goats”, because they continue to live blueprint and make impact every day. Acting is about living a legacy and doing something for a lifestyle. All those who come in, in a flash, go in a flash, and we don’t hear from them again.
“This movie thing is akin to a fraternity to which you belong. It’s more like a calling, where your craft helps you to give back to those who are coming after you,” she said.
Role models
She also admonished girls, in particular, to choose good role models who can inspire them to higher heights in their chosen fields of endeavour.
“I chose role models based on other factors, such as the person’s sense of fashion, persona, and ability as an actor. Unfortunately, I don’t have many role models in Ghana. Anita Erskine is one of the people I admire. I admire how she carries herself, her influence, and her fluency. Peace Hyde is another favourite. She is an amazing woman; she’s endowed, hardworking, and intelligent. Ama K Abebrese is another, as is Roselyn Ngissah due to her persona,” she explained.
However, when it comes to acting, she pointed out that she looked up to Viola Davis, Octavio Spencer, Denzel Washington, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong’o, noting that “these are amazing actors and anytime I see them, I yearn to be better than them”.
