Interview with Collins Archie-Pearce|CEO|Film Producer|Director|Nollywood/Sierra Leone Actor
Your Name: My name is Collins Archie-Pearce
Your Job Title: I am the CEO of Archie-Pearce Production Ltd (my company) and I also work for London Underground as a Train Operations Standards Manager, thereby managing the managers on the Bakerloo line.
Where are you currently based? I am currently based in the UK, where I have lived for over 25 years, but I am a Sierra Leonean by birth and a British by naturalisation. I occasionally go to Sierra Leone to shoot films, in order to promote my country and put it on the map of entertainments.
How would you describe yourself? I am a prolific Film Producer, Director, Actor and a Manager. I am extremely enthusiastic about the creative & entertainment industry to the extent that I endeavor to produce African films at least once every year. I have produced over 7 films and have acted in over 30 films both in the UK and Sierra Leone. I manage over 20 of the top Nollywood actors and also about 10 of the Sierra Leoneans actors/artists. I have won about 20 awards for my role in the film industry and also being recorgnised as one of the biggest Sierra Leone film producers in the UK.
Role in the Sierra Leone Community? My role in the Sierra Leonean community is simply to inspire my fellow Sierra Leoneans to be role models, be dedicated in everything they do and to help promote a positive image of our beloved country (Sierra Leone). My role also entails to promote Sierra Leone in the form of producing good Sierra Leone films (thereby showcasing our beautiful landmark), to also assist Sierra Leoneans by developing them and their talents.
Your Challenges: My challenges include: limited fund to produce world class films; as it is extremely difficult to get sponsorship, as a Sierra Leone film producer. This is due to the fact that we are underrepresented in the diaspora and the international world doesn’t associate Sierra Leone with film making. Secondly, getting commitments from actors (especially in the area of time keeping). This is not only in Sierra Leone, but also in the UK, as actors fail tremendously to keep to time. This is not good for the business and it doesn’t portray a good image of us Africans.
Your proudest moment to date: My proudest moment to date is winning an award from ZAFAA in 2013, for my contribution toward the African film industry. It is good when a non-Nigerian is recognised by a huge award body like ZAFAA for his/her emence contribution towards promoting African films. This makes me proud and accentuated my impulse to do more and be more dedicated to the task.
Who inspires you? I get my inspiration from God almighty. I am also inspired by people who have been criticized or discouraged by others that they would not be able to achieve or succeed in doing certain task, decided to ignore the criticism, thereby pressing on and finally achieve a positive result.
Why did you decide to do what you are doing now? I decided to do what I am currently doing now due to me been searching for a challenge 15 years ago. I consequently attended an audition for a Television series in the UK and the head judge openly gave me a feedback that I have tremendous talent and that I would make a brilliant actor. I took his feedback on board and pursued the acting career. I was given a major role in the Television series and later and excelled in the future acting jobs.
If you were not doing your current job, what did you wanted to do as a second option? If I wasn’t involved in acting/ producing films, I would have embarked on other entertainment venture like playing the guitar or drums. I started playing the guitar and drums in Sierra Leone over 35 years ago, but I stopped it when I got into the acting realm.
Do you have any future dates planned such as events that you might want the readers to know about? I should be going to Sierra Leone again later in the year to either produce another film or engage in an entertainment activity. I should also be premiering my latest film in Sierra Leone next year (2017) and might premiere it in the UK later in the year.
Your advice and tips for individuals that want to follow your footstep/career path? My humble advice to everyone reading this article is to ensure that what ever you find yourself doing, please do it with all your might and to the best of your ability. Please ensure you lead a life that you will not regret in the future, but be proud of (be a role model). Never give up, but press on until you achieve the desired result. Finally, please be professional in everything you do and ensure you help others who might need your assistance in what ever way you can.
How can they contact you or social media links? I will advise readers to visit my face book page fan page which is @collinsp19 to be abreast with what I would be embarking on during the course of the year. I could be contacted on face book (Collins Archie-Pearce, Collins Ajuma Archie-Pearce or Collins A. Pearce); I can also be contacted on twitter, instagram, linkedln on @collinsp19
