Tolulope Oke is a graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos. She also read Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile Ife. Tolulope is a prominent Nollywood actress. She has featured in several film productions that featured notable Nollywood faces. She has just produced a new film titled “Cookies Spot”. In this interview, she speaks about her new movie, its focus and importance to the audience, the impact of COVID 19 on the industry
THE NEW MOVIE AND ITS STORYLINE
” Cookies Spot”. Cookie Spot is a story and it is a reflection about life. According to Tolu,” I believe in hope and I tried to project life and it possibilities. “Cookie Spot as she aptly puts it is a story of survival wherever you find yourself. There is always a means of survival. The inspiration of Cookie Spot from a car wash that can turn to a big business. The lady got help from a woman where she was working to establish her own business. She wanted a good life for her mother and herself which the mother rejected due to untold story she didn’t reveal to her daughter about her father. Some notable Nollywood starts who featured in Cookie Pot are Adejumo Lewis,Funso Adeolu,Sola Sobowale,Ayo Adesanya,Bolanle Ninalowo, Omowunmi Dada and a host of others.
THE MESSAGE OF COOKIE SPOT
Women should not be overwhelmed with challenges. They should believe they can make it despite all odds. I believe every woman has a staying power that should confront every challenge and overcome. I want every woman out there to have positive spirit which will definitely make them overcome in life.
There is the need for women to support one another. The young women should see the bigger picture of whatever they are doing. Possibilities are endless in life. Whatever you are doing, you should not give up. You can always be a better person wherever you are. You should learn to survive in a way that will add value to others.
Tolulope believes Cookie Pot will challenge every young lady out there to have the women and women generally should have the strong will to succeed against all the odds in life.
COMMUNICATING THE VALUES OF COOKIES SPOT
It has become imperative to project the values of Cookies Spot. The movie will be showing on TV , online, cables and cinema. To reach all and sundry, there is a strategic focus to adopt the cinema as there is the cinema culture in Nigerians. This will facilitate making the movie a must watch by all.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
Covid-19 has slowed everything down. Life, I believe has been altered by the pandemic. People have been looking at how to cope with the post-covid. Digital channels have come to stay to promote products and services. For movies, people are health conscious on what they do. Now you see standby doctors on film set to ensure the environment is safe for everyone. The benefit of this is that everyone focuses on their health status more. It is a good development for the industry which shows we are more conscious of our environment. It means anyone who is not physically fit should not participate in movie production. It shows the producer will take responsibility. It means we pay attention to everything that matters. It puts Nollywood in good light.
There is more to bringing people on set. We should be conscious of or health as it is important. We should be concerned about the health status of the crew. COVID has made it mandatory to focus on basic things that are often overlooked.
FOCUS OF THE INDUSTRY
The focus of the industry is to release good and quality contents. There are digital channels for readymade market. When quality movies are provided, is showcases our professional expertise and projects the nation’s image. It is important to focus on professional expertise and develop techniques in movie production. The technical part of our movie is also getting better, in terms of sub editing, music background and post-production.
MY STRATEGIC ESSENCE FOR COOKIES SPOT
I want to showcase myself as a very detailed Producer and Actor. I also want to let the audience especially the younger ones know that there are opportunities around them. They need to identify such opportunities and deploy creativity to promote themselves. It is also to promote entrepreneurship. It also tells the youth audience that success takes perseverance. It also teaches hope. I want the younger generations to believe in their potentials and have their potentials. Success is a destination not a journey. I also want to add value to the society and at the end of the day it is win-win situation for all. Cookie spot is also a story that promotes family values.
Cookie spot also focuses on women helping on another. Women should identify potentials in others and help them. Women should see themselves as pillar of support for one another. A support for a woman is a support other generations.