Can A Nigerian Break Into The American Movie Industry?

sure why not and by the welcome to Nairaland

Thanks. But how? Do you know where they advertize?

Much love,
Rhema

Dolly-Pee, you got my point! In which case one is confined to Nigerian Drama. That's even if the market is big enough here. I never see those Nigerian Directors here. Maybe some of us can participate in their movies. I mean quality ones like Mainframe, Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan etc.

Thanks Needegg. But do you have any contacts in Nollywood? Do you know of any Casting Director Like Zeb Ejiro or Lancelot Imasuen coming this way? Email addresses? cell phone numbers? Remember I reside in the US.

Cheers,
Rhema

 @ ray, do u no even  Americans are queing for roles in d usa? d movie industry in SA is good too,sallywood? why wldnt she stay there and hope for a better future in d industry.

Thanks for that info Needegg. Though I don't know that Actor (Emeka Enyochi), I hope he wouldn't mind you giving out his number. Do you know any movies he featured in?

Cheers,
Rhema

I Strongly believe a Nigerian can break into it, provided you are very good and this takes years of training and my dear you can start from the nearest stage to you. I have come to realize that stage drama is the beginig of greatness in the movie industry. most people might disagree with this, but I tell you it is the truth. Do you know Olu Jacob or his wife, Joke? Even the great cinematographer Tunde Kelani will tell you to start their. So my advise is taht you should engage yourself with any drama troupe around their, develop your acting skill and write scripts if you can. Shakespear will tell you that a thousand miles journey begins with a step. You can contact me for adivise on acting and script writing.
hayanmehayan@yahoo.com 

Why not attempt to "break into" other African or third world markets before aiming at the most challenging one?

Oops, I guess I wasn't thinking about Nigerians in the US.
You'll probably have to emigrate to break into another movie market.

a hint,,,,chiwetel ejiofor, Oris erubhilo and many more big time Holly wood actors are nigerians.

I was a casting agent in the nineties and early 2000. I worked on some hollywood blockbusters specifically casting ethnic actors for various minor roles and as extras. Movies are about stories, and modern hollwood and independent film producers have established a niche for various ethnicities, cultures and accents. Exotism sells and anything outside the fauna of typecast hollywood (white caucasian appeal) is considered exotic and highly saught in modern film. Your accent could and should be an asset, that said you should make effort to assimilate and intergrate the mainstream american lingo to your arsenal to avoid being typecast. If you find that daunting, then learn to be diligently pronounced and deliberate in your manner of speaking regardless of what accent you have. great African American actors like Roscoe lee brown, James earl jones and some that I can't think of right now are immensly admired and demanded in Hollywood for their voices, Its resonance and depth, a specificity to the African manner of voicing words in english. These actors will be the first to tell you that they practiced long and hard to learn and adapt the "African accent".

Independent movie or video podcast production might be a more better way to break into Hollywood,
Because you would have some control? Otherwise, your fate as an actor will depend equally on luck and skill.

Instead of waiting for the "right place and right time" why not take a more active role in your fate?   Pick up a cheap video camera, make a video showcasing your skills and post it on youtube.  Start somewhere.