British-Ghanaian actress and producer Ama K. Abebrese has shared the process she went through to qualify for a role in the acclaimed film ‘Beasts of No Nation.’
She said she underwent standard audition processes, just like every other applicant who was equally interested in getting the role
According to her, she fasted and prayed before the audition day because she was passionate about getting the particular role she applied for.
The actress disclosed this during a conversation with Roselyn Felli on Joy Prime’s Changes show, explaining how she managed to be cast in the movie despite it not being a full Ghanaian production
“They had the auditions in East Legon, and I was so nervous. I remember when I went into the auditions, I fasted and prayed for days, and I was so skinny,” she said on the show.
She performed to the best of her abilities and impressed the judges in the audition room when she was finally given the chance to show her worth.
As a participant, she felt that her performance was excellent and gained confidence from some of the post-audition feedback she received
“There was a lady in the room who was like, ‘You’re going to make me cry,’ and that made me feel like even if I didn’t get that role, I knew I killed that audition. So I gave in my all.”
In contrast to Nollywood and Hollywood, the project was a private individual production, thus none of the production team members anticipated it would become as popular as it has after she qualified for the position.
Playing a role in the film was an amazing experience for her, and her expectations were met. All the characters in the movie, including her, benefited financially from the project due to the recognitions and awards it received.
“I know a lot of people made a lot of money off that film. I made money not as much as I would, but I made money.”
However, she was more focused on the experience and exposure rather than the money, given the caliber of industry players involved in the film.
She emphatically relayed that she prefers to go through standard audition procedures for movie roles, regardless of her industry experience.
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