INTERVIEW: I received the script two days to ‘The Train’ movie shoot – Young Abayomi

Destiny at times finds way to fulfilment no matter what. This best describe what befalls Oluwasola Peters Esupofo who played the role of young Mike Abayomi Bamiloye in ‘The Train’ movie. Who could have believed that the boy was not the original person chosen to play that role. In this exclusive Interview with Gospel Film News, Peter noted that his parents Mr. &Mrs. Esupofo who resides in Ile-Ife really played a major role in helping him achieve the task. He told Gospel Film News how he was given the role, his battles with the dialect, challenges, amongst others. Excerpt:

What is your full name?

Oluwasola Peters Esupofo

How old are you?

I’m thirteen (13) years old

Are you the first born of your family?

No sir, 2nd born.

What class are you?

JSS3

What is your State of origin?

Ekiti state, but resident in Ife. Ayegunle Ekiti to be precise.

Have you acted before?

Yes, in my sister’s school, it’s a children film

How were you casted in ‘The Train’ movie?

My father learnt that the boy they choose to take the role of Young Mike Abayomi Bamiloye could not act it well, so the producer called my father, Mr. Esupofo 2 days to the location and pleaded for the late information and told him God will help him.

So, I was ask to play the role of Mike Abayomi Bamiloye when he was eight (8) years old. It was one of the directors that gave me the role. There was no form of audition for me. I received the script two days to the movie shoot.

Who taught you Ijesha language?

My father did part of it before I left home for the shoot, after he has translated the script to Yoruba, and the director handled the rest.

What are your experiences while shooting the film?

There were lots of challenges. I had fear of what to say, fear of how to act and fear of how to face the camera.

Have you acted in a movie before?

Yes, I’ve acted in 2-3 films before; ‘Oh My Destiny,’ ‘Heritage of God’ and ‘Final Contest.’

Have you met Evangelist Mike Bamiloye Before?

I’ve been hearing of his name but never had a conversation with him. I’ve seen him once at Mount Zion Intitute, my mother was their caterer. I saw him when I followed my mother to one of the trainings where she performed her catering service but I have never had a one on one talk with him, I only saw him from afar then.

Do you wish to become an Actor or Drama Minister in future?

Whatever God says.

What do you like to become in future?

A pastor

What was your most challenging scene in the movie, The Train?

I had challenge of speaking the Ijesha language and facing the camera.

But you spoke the language very well, people love your acting?

It was God sir. I just find myself doing it, it was God though my daddy really tried his best in putting me through but God really helped me.

How did you cope with the directors, did you give them challenge?

I cope very well sir.

What do you have to tell people who have watched the film and love your acting?

Please help me tell them that it is God sir, that it’s not by my power but God’s power that really helped me and by his grace I did all those things in front of the camera, directors and the crew members.

Thank you for your time with Gospel Film News

Yes sir, alright sir.

About The Author