Ovunda Ihunwo | University of Port Harcourt (original) (raw)

Papers by Ovunda Ihunwo

Research paper thumbnail of PERFORMING FOR MANY EYES ACTORS AND THEIR MULTIDIMENSIONAL AUDIENCE

Research paper thumbnail of The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama

Research paper thumbnail of The Psychology of Auditioning: Overcoming Nerves and Boosting Confidence

Humanitatis Theoreticus, 2023

Auditioning can be a daunting experience for actors, but understanding the psychology behind it c... more Auditioning can be a daunting experience for actors, but understanding the psychology behind it can help manage anxiety and boost confidence. This article explores the topic by reviewing scholarly sources and industry expertise. The fight or flight response is a common reaction during auditions, hindering an actor's performance. Techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, physical warm-ups, power poses, reframing negative thoughts, and embracing vulnerability can help actors manage their anxiety. Practising with a coach or in front of friends can also help actors prepare and feel more confident. Researching the production and casting director is essential to help tailor performances to specific roles. Debriefing and learning from auditions are also crucial. Reflection can help actors identify areas for improvement and celebrate their strengths. Actors must remember that no actor is more prominent than an audition, and each audition is an opportunity for growth. Preparation, practice, and a growth mindset are crucial to success in auditions. Actors should prioritize understanding the psychology of auditioning and develop techniques to manage anxiety and build confidence. Actors should also approach auditions with humility and professionalism, recognizing that each audition is an opportunity for growth and development.

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Triune Nature: Balancing Character, Actor, and Spectator in Performance

GUU Journal of Humanities, 2023

Acting is a challenging and complex field requiring performers to possess unique skills and quali... more Acting is a challenging and complex field requiring performers to possess unique skills and qualities. To portray a character successfully on stage or screen, actors must be able to step into the role while still being aware of their presence during the performance. Additionally, actors must maintain a connection with their audience to engage them in the performance. This paper explores the idea that an actor is three people in one: the character, the actor, and the spectator. The paper examines various theories, methodologies and field experiences and argues that this threefold personhood is essential for a successful performance. It also analyzes the internal and external processes involved in acting, including character development, emotional connection, and physical embodiment as well as the importance of maintaining a connection with the audience throughout the performance. Ultimately, the paper aims to provide insight into the intricacies of acting as well as highlight the crucial role which balancing character, actor and spectator play in achieving a successful performance.

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor’s Art on Screen: Inspirations from John Howard Swain

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Art on Screen: Inspirations from John Howard Swain

Acting is meant to be a conscious effort at creating a living being from a somewhat inanimate cha... more Acting is meant to be a conscious effort at creating a living being from a somewhat inanimate character from the pages of a script. With proper interpretation, acting and real-life can have a semblance that makes it difficult for the audience to distinguish between the actor's character life and the life of the actor himself. Many actors find it difficult to create this semblance due to their desperation to copy the style of other actors they refer to as mentors, which has given rise to repetitive and plastic kind of acting which does not show creativity. John Howard Swain provides a whole new dimension that breaks down the study of acting in order for the actor to fully come to terms with his potential in his book The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera. Consequently, the study discovers that the bane attached to the acting profession is inseparable from the following; actor's laziness and redundant attitude toward learning, lack of self-confidence, pride, and unprofessionalism. Therefore, this paper recommends that actors pay close attention to their script, ceaselessly possess the habit of learning newer ideas, hard work and diligence, and ultimately live their characters' lives rather than merely acting them.

Research paper thumbnail of Narrative Power of the Shot: A Reading of Izu Ojukwu’s Cindy’s Notes

African Research Review

The ability to tell a convincing story on screen lies in the expertise and mechanics of the direc... more The ability to tell a convincing story on screen lies in the expertise and mechanics of the director's coordination while on the film set. Whereas film is a collaborative art, it takes a director who has a grasp of almost every aspect of the art to properly galvanize other collaborators to achieve what he intends to interpret as the film. Many film sets have been bedevilled by the presence of directors whose only expertise is in calling a shot already planned out by a competent director of photography. This misfortune is further extended to the editing suite. Finally, the film is released without the director having to see how the story has been told. As a result, some films in Nollywood are replete with boring scenes which would rather pass as a recorded stage play. This study shows uses the analysis of Izu Ojukwu's film text to show a director's passion in plotting and executing a scene to achieve good picture in the overall film while telling a good story. It further recommends that if the director must claim ownership of a film, then it becomes imperative for him to plan, call and see to the execution of shots on the film set. This way, it becomes easy to manipulate the picture during editing as a result of the many shot that have been taken on set.

Research paper thumbnail of Stage and Screen Experience: The Actor’s Challenge

IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2013

Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a resu... more Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a result of having played either lead or supporting roles in the movies. This has in most cases raised questions as to who is a celebrity between the two. Of more importance is the fact that most celebrities who are screen actors are not trained theatre artists, thereby querying the essence of studying theatre arts when they can actually become headliners without going to an acting school. Consequently therefore, trained actors who derive artistic fulfillment in showing their prowess on stage have become unsung heroes while the society has always celebrated the screen personalities. The reasons are not far-fetched; this is as a result of ignorance both on the side of the society and the actors on both media in the sense that they have failed to realize the challenges that actors are confronted with. This paper shall therefore bring to the fore, principal challenges that confront the actor on both sides and the need to appreciate stage actors as well as those on screen.

Research paper thumbnail of Stage and Screen Experience: The Actor’s Challenge

IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2013

Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a resu... more Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a result of having played either lead or supporting roles in the movies. This has in most cases raised questions as to who is a celebrity between the two. Of more importance is the fact that most celebrities who are screen actors are not trained theatre artists, thereby querying the essence of studying theatre arts when they can actually become headliners without going to an acting school. Consequently therefore, trained actors who derive artistic fulfillment in showing their prowess on stage have become unsung heroes while the society has always celebrated the screen personalities. The reasons are not far-fetched; this is as a result of ignorance both on the side of the society and the actors on both media in the sense that they have failed to realize the challenges that actors are confronted with. This paper shall therefore bring to the fore, principal challenges that confront the actor on both sides and the need to appreciate stage actors as well as those on screen.

Research paper thumbnail of Flexibility on Stage and Screen: The Import of Exercises for In-Depth Character Building

The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable differe... more The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable difference between the actor and the character. Some actors have not been able to delineate this difference, hence the obvious mistakes of playing themselves each time they are cast to play a different kind of character from what they are used to. This has led to a situation where producers and directors both on stage and screen prefer an easy way out: typecasting. This study explores the extent to which exercises can strategically place an actor in a position for effective and believable characterization through a critical discourse of the exercises created by Eric Morris and Joan Hotchkis. Findings have shown that acting exercises aid the full expression of inner potentials as it opens one's inner mind to the awareness of its unending possibilities. The only way to get better is to be willing to embrace possibilities. It is easier to BE than to ACT, and they put it "BEING is originality."

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Voice and Character in an Operatic Performance

Becoming aware of oneself and the consciousness of how to get a good speaking voice is a task eve... more Becoming aware of oneself and the consciousness of how to get a good speaking voice is a task every actor must fulfil. An actor with a good voice has better opportunities to clinch a role during and audition because the voice has the capacity to attract listenership. People don't enjoy listening to someone with a very loud, bad articulation, speaks too fast, speaks too slow or has a lisp. This paper helps actors to get the right kind of exercises and basic rules of having a good voice with Cicely Berry as the main source of information. Findings have shown that performing in an opera is somewhat a difficult task especially in Nigeria because most actors are yet to come to terms with the fact that voice training is as important as characterization. It is very important that actors give proper attention to voice training as just as they train their acting chops.

Research paper thumbnail of Drums as a Unifying Deity in Africa: Reminiscing the Nigerian Drum Festival

The idea that certain beliefs in Africa are fetish is not only demeaning but has the tendency of ... more The idea that certain beliefs in Africa are fetish is not only demeaning but has the tendency of eroding the very rich cultural heritage in the continent. Studies have shown that Africa is blessed with so many untold stories which have hitherto been hidden as a result of the inability of our forefathers to document events that have given rise to such mythology. Drumming as an art form is found to be a unifying tool that cut across different nationalities, yet have the semblance of a deified being. This paper unveils the important role the drum plays in the life of Africans using the Nigerian Drums Festival as a case in point. Method of research and information gathering are mostly from personal interviews with veteran drummers who participated in the Festival which held in Ogun State, Nigeria at the June 12 Cultural Centre on 22 nd April, 2016. Findings have shown that Africans revere and deify certain drums as a result of the kind of roles they have played in sacred events in their communities.

Drafts by Ovunda Ihunwo

Research paper thumbnail of Flexibility on Stage and Screen: The Import of Exercises for In-Depth Character Building

The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable differe... more The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable difference between the actor and the character. Some actors have not been able to delineate this difference, hence the obvious mistakes of playing themselves each time they are cast to play a different kind of character from what they are used to. This has led to a situation where producers and directors both on stage and screen prefer an easy way out: typecasting. This study explores the extent to which exercises can strategically place an actor in a position for effective and believable characterization through a critical discourse of the exercises created by Eric Morris and Joan Hotchkis. Findings have shown that acting exercises aid the full expression of inner potentials as it opens one's inner mind to the awareness of its unending possibilities. The only way to get better is to be willing to embrace possibilities. It is easier to BE than to ACT, and they put it "BEING is originality."

Research paper thumbnail of PERFORMING FOR MANY EYES ACTORS AND THEIR MULTIDIMENSIONAL AUDIENCE

Research paper thumbnail of The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama

Research paper thumbnail of The Psychology of Auditioning: Overcoming Nerves and Boosting Confidence

Humanitatis Theoreticus, 2023

Auditioning can be a daunting experience for actors, but understanding the psychology behind it c... more Auditioning can be a daunting experience for actors, but understanding the psychology behind it can help manage anxiety and boost confidence. This article explores the topic by reviewing scholarly sources and industry expertise. The fight or flight response is a common reaction during auditions, hindering an actor's performance. Techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, physical warm-ups, power poses, reframing negative thoughts, and embracing vulnerability can help actors manage their anxiety. Practising with a coach or in front of friends can also help actors prepare and feel more confident. Researching the production and casting director is essential to help tailor performances to specific roles. Debriefing and learning from auditions are also crucial. Reflection can help actors identify areas for improvement and celebrate their strengths. Actors must remember that no actor is more prominent than an audition, and each audition is an opportunity for growth. Preparation, practice, and a growth mindset are crucial to success in auditions. Actors should prioritize understanding the psychology of auditioning and develop techniques to manage anxiety and build confidence. Actors should also approach auditions with humility and professionalism, recognizing that each audition is an opportunity for growth and development.

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Triune Nature: Balancing Character, Actor, and Spectator in Performance

GUU Journal of Humanities, 2023

Acting is a challenging and complex field requiring performers to possess unique skills and quali... more Acting is a challenging and complex field requiring performers to possess unique skills and qualities. To portray a character successfully on stage or screen, actors must be able to step into the role while still being aware of their presence during the performance. Additionally, actors must maintain a connection with their audience to engage them in the performance. This paper explores the idea that an actor is three people in one: the character, the actor, and the spectator. The paper examines various theories, methodologies and field experiences and argues that this threefold personhood is essential for a successful performance. It also analyzes the internal and external processes involved in acting, including character development, emotional connection, and physical embodiment as well as the importance of maintaining a connection with the audience throughout the performance. Ultimately, the paper aims to provide insight into the intricacies of acting as well as highlight the crucial role which balancing character, actor and spectator play in achieving a successful performance.

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor’s Art on Screen: Inspirations from John Howard Swain

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Art on Screen: Inspirations from John Howard Swain

Acting is meant to be a conscious effort at creating a living being from a somewhat inanimate cha... more Acting is meant to be a conscious effort at creating a living being from a somewhat inanimate character from the pages of a script. With proper interpretation, acting and real-life can have a semblance that makes it difficult for the audience to distinguish between the actor's character life and the life of the actor himself. Many actors find it difficult to create this semblance due to their desperation to copy the style of other actors they refer to as mentors, which has given rise to repetitive and plastic kind of acting which does not show creativity. John Howard Swain provides a whole new dimension that breaks down the study of acting in order for the actor to fully come to terms with his potential in his book The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera. Consequently, the study discovers that the bane attached to the acting profession is inseparable from the following; actor's laziness and redundant attitude toward learning, lack of self-confidence, pride, and unprofessionalism. Therefore, this paper recommends that actors pay close attention to their script, ceaselessly possess the habit of learning newer ideas, hard work and diligence, and ultimately live their characters' lives rather than merely acting them.

Research paper thumbnail of Narrative Power of the Shot: A Reading of Izu Ojukwu’s Cindy’s Notes

African Research Review

The ability to tell a convincing story on screen lies in the expertise and mechanics of the direc... more The ability to tell a convincing story on screen lies in the expertise and mechanics of the director's coordination while on the film set. Whereas film is a collaborative art, it takes a director who has a grasp of almost every aspect of the art to properly galvanize other collaborators to achieve what he intends to interpret as the film. Many film sets have been bedevilled by the presence of directors whose only expertise is in calling a shot already planned out by a competent director of photography. This misfortune is further extended to the editing suite. Finally, the film is released without the director having to see how the story has been told. As a result, some films in Nollywood are replete with boring scenes which would rather pass as a recorded stage play. This study shows uses the analysis of Izu Ojukwu's film text to show a director's passion in plotting and executing a scene to achieve good picture in the overall film while telling a good story. It further recommends that if the director must claim ownership of a film, then it becomes imperative for him to plan, call and see to the execution of shots on the film set. This way, it becomes easy to manipulate the picture during editing as a result of the many shot that have been taken on set.

Research paper thumbnail of Stage and Screen Experience: The Actor’s Challenge

IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2013

Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a resu... more Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a result of having played either lead or supporting roles in the movies. This has in most cases raised questions as to who is a celebrity between the two. Of more importance is the fact that most celebrities who are screen actors are not trained theatre artists, thereby querying the essence of studying theatre arts when they can actually become headliners without going to an acting school. Consequently therefore, trained actors who derive artistic fulfillment in showing their prowess on stage have become unsung heroes while the society has always celebrated the screen personalities. The reasons are not far-fetched; this is as a result of ignorance both on the side of the society and the actors on both media in the sense that they have failed to realize the challenges that actors are confronted with. This paper shall therefore bring to the fore, principal challenges that confront the actor on both sides and the need to appreciate stage actors as well as those on screen.

Research paper thumbnail of Stage and Screen Experience: The Actor’s Challenge

IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2013

Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a resu... more Oftentimes, one encounters a silent argument between the stage actor and stars produced as a result of having played either lead or supporting roles in the movies. This has in most cases raised questions as to who is a celebrity between the two. Of more importance is the fact that most celebrities who are screen actors are not trained theatre artists, thereby querying the essence of studying theatre arts when they can actually become headliners without going to an acting school. Consequently therefore, trained actors who derive artistic fulfillment in showing their prowess on stage have become unsung heroes while the society has always celebrated the screen personalities. The reasons are not far-fetched; this is as a result of ignorance both on the side of the society and the actors on both media in the sense that they have failed to realize the challenges that actors are confronted with. This paper shall therefore bring to the fore, principal challenges that confront the actor on both sides and the need to appreciate stage actors as well as those on screen.

Research paper thumbnail of Flexibility on Stage and Screen: The Import of Exercises for In-Depth Character Building

The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable differe... more The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable difference between the actor and the character. Some actors have not been able to delineate this difference, hence the obvious mistakes of playing themselves each time they are cast to play a different kind of character from what they are used to. This has led to a situation where producers and directors both on stage and screen prefer an easy way out: typecasting. This study explores the extent to which exercises can strategically place an actor in a position for effective and believable characterization through a critical discourse of the exercises created by Eric Morris and Joan Hotchkis. Findings have shown that acting exercises aid the full expression of inner potentials as it opens one's inner mind to the awareness of its unending possibilities. The only way to get better is to be willing to embrace possibilities. It is easier to BE than to ACT, and they put it "BEING is originality."

Research paper thumbnail of The Actor's Voice and Character in an Operatic Performance

Becoming aware of oneself and the consciousness of how to get a good speaking voice is a task eve... more Becoming aware of oneself and the consciousness of how to get a good speaking voice is a task every actor must fulfil. An actor with a good voice has better opportunities to clinch a role during and audition because the voice has the capacity to attract listenership. People don't enjoy listening to someone with a very loud, bad articulation, speaks too fast, speaks too slow or has a lisp. This paper helps actors to get the right kind of exercises and basic rules of having a good voice with Cicely Berry as the main source of information. Findings have shown that performing in an opera is somewhat a difficult task especially in Nigeria because most actors are yet to come to terms with the fact that voice training is as important as characterization. It is very important that actors give proper attention to voice training as just as they train their acting chops.

Research paper thumbnail of Drums as a Unifying Deity in Africa: Reminiscing the Nigerian Drum Festival

The idea that certain beliefs in Africa are fetish is not only demeaning but has the tendency of ... more The idea that certain beliefs in Africa are fetish is not only demeaning but has the tendency of eroding the very rich cultural heritage in the continent. Studies have shown that Africa is blessed with so many untold stories which have hitherto been hidden as a result of the inability of our forefathers to document events that have given rise to such mythology. Drumming as an art form is found to be a unifying tool that cut across different nationalities, yet have the semblance of a deified being. This paper unveils the important role the drum plays in the life of Africans using the Nigerian Drums Festival as a case in point. Method of research and information gathering are mostly from personal interviews with veteran drummers who participated in the Festival which held in Ogun State, Nigeria at the June 12 Cultural Centre on 22 nd April, 2016. Findings have shown that Africans revere and deify certain drums as a result of the kind of roles they have played in sacred events in their communities.

Research paper thumbnail of Flexibility on Stage and Screen: The Import of Exercises for In-Depth Character Building

The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable differe... more The ability of an actor to switch from one role to the other is what makes the remarkable difference between the actor and the character. Some actors have not been able to delineate this difference, hence the obvious mistakes of playing themselves each time they are cast to play a different kind of character from what they are used to. This has led to a situation where producers and directors both on stage and screen prefer an easy way out: typecasting. This study explores the extent to which exercises can strategically place an actor in a position for effective and believable characterization through a critical discourse of the exercises created by Eric Morris and Joan Hotchkis. Findings have shown that acting exercises aid the full expression of inner potentials as it opens one's inner mind to the awareness of its unending possibilities. The only way to get better is to be willing to embrace possibilities. It is easier to BE than to ACT, and they put it "BEING is originality."