Nigeria’s youngest producer
Having produced a movie at age 22, Arinze Ezeanyaeche is about the youngest movie producer and marketer in Nollywood. The Anambra State-born Arinze, who runs the multi-million naira movie house, A.2.Z. Productions said: "Movie making runs in my family.”
He also disclosed that he conducts research and writes all his stories by himself. One of such good stories by Arinze is seen in his latest movie, End of Money, which equally displays technical and visual qualities:
Background
I'm a 22-year-old man from Igbo-Ukwu in Anambra State. I also hail from a family of movie-makers. My eldest brother whom I learnt the art of movie making and marketing from is Ojiofor Ezeayaeche.
As a frontline moviemaker, he is also the head of O.J Productions. My immediate elder brother is also a big player in Nollywood. His name is Uzochukwu, he is the C.E.O of Solid Movies International Limited.
Love for movies
I came into Nollywood as a teenager under the watchful eyes of my eldest brother. My love for movies is as old as myself. As a child growing up then, I always dreamt of being one of the biggest movie producers/marketers.
I even told my people I won't go into any other profession, except showbiz with a bias for movie making and distribution.
Movies produced
At A.2.Z. Productions, we do not believe in quantity, we believe in quality. We also don't believe in churning out movies as if they will go into extinction. We take our time in producing and packaging our movies. We are a brand and do not want our loyal customers to abandon us.
So, we are very conscious of what we feed the publics as movies. Some of these works include Tears and Sorrows, Awilo Sharp-Sharp, Back From America, Goodbye New York, Journey of love, Oh! My Son, Guy On The Line and the recently released End of Money
End of Money and Final Money
End of Money is the latest movie from my stable. It features star artistes like Pete Edochie, Kanayo . O . Kanayo, Ken Okonkwo, Ejike Asiegbu, Keppy Ekpeyoung Bassey, Obot Etuk, Chiege Alisigwe and several others.
Also featured in the movie is the renowned highlife musician, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, who was invited all the way from America. It is a well-produced political thriller.
I spent more than a year shooting this movie. The sequel is entitled Final Money. It will be out soon. I'm out to set standards with these movies.
Inspiration and influence
God Almighty is my biggest inspiration. He also inspires me a lot. Aside Him, I also look up to my eldest brother, he is also a big influence on my life and career. He was among those that pioneered what is today known as Nollywood.
Mission and vision
I want A2Z to be a global name and brand, just like Warner Bros and others. I also want to be a reference point in moving making from this side of the divide. I see a vision where Nollywood will overtake Hollywood soon.
I want to and always strive to be the best in whatever I do
I don't like cutting corners. Nollywood is the new face of the showbiz world.
Young producer/maketer
Movie making is not really by my making, but by the special Grace of God. I always like my work to speak for me, that is why I hardly attend events.
God's strength and inspiration has continually kept me going. I've always said that the last thing I will do is to be a copycat or claim what I'm not.
The challenges for me as the youngest producer/marketers are many, but I always surmount them with God by my side.
Again, I don't mix business with pleasure. I'm also a very hardworking man; I don't relent on my dreams till I achieve them. Most of my colleagues call me workaholic.
Awards
I've received several awards within and outside Nigerin.
Lots of institutions and corporate bodies have recognized my input into the industry through awards.
My most recent award was the one I got last year December from movie producers/marketers, as the youngest producers/marketer in the whole of Nollywood. It was tagged Award of Excellence, 2004.
But my biggest award is God Almighty; He is always by my side.
Nollywood
It is really evolving. When I came in as a teenager then, it was not as big as it is today. I'm optimistic that very soon, we would take over from Hollywood.
It is an industry to be reckoned with. We also want government and corporate bodies to come in fully to partner with us.
When this happens, we would have a formidable and duly regulated industry. I believe strongly in this industry.
Words of advice
Nigerian youths should shun drugs and other societal ills if truly they want to succeed in life. Hard work pays, they should also follow their dreams, no matter how long it takes.
With God by your side, no mountain is insurmountable. Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and material resources, it is now left to you to know where you fit in
People should not compromise quality and standards. Lastly, people should try and believe in themselves no matter the situation or condition.