The challenges of type casting in Nollywood: <i>A Study of the Roles of Patince Ozokwor and Kanayo.O. Kanayo</i>

Abstract

Casting is one of the most crucial parts of the filmmaking process because performance can significantly impact how audiences and critics receive a film. Choosing the right actor can enhance your project, while a miscast role can diminish a particular character’s believability, which can be detrimental to a film or TV show. Even if the character is unlikeable or an antihero, the audience must believe the actor’s performance to remain invested. Finding the right talent for a role can be challenging because it requires a mix of critical analysis, instinct, and good timing. However, actors are constantly pigeonholed into roles that objectify them to a particular type. Why can’t Patience Ozokwor be a good mother in-law for once in most of her movies or even Kanayo not being Portrayed as a ritualist all the time? Not much academic research has been sufficiently carried out to addressing casting conventions especially in Nollywood acting. This paper aimed to address this gap by gaining insight on casting practices from the writers, producers, and directors perspectives. The paper is standing on the Impression Formation Theory and Representational Theory that ascertain that stereotypes reduce an individual to few characteristics and may like to create untrue impression about a person. Qualitative methodology was used to find out data and results for the study. The researcher conducted interviews with some directors and actors and also served as an observer and participant in an auditioning and casting session, the researcher in the findings was able to reveal the intricacies of casting, including the prevalence of type. The paper therefore encouraged especially upcoming actors to shun being static and diversify in role-playing.