As preparations for the annual programme of God’s Glory Drama Ministry is on top gear, the president of the ministry, Evangelist Dare Norman has unveiled how himself and his team arrived at ‘If I die’ as a theme for the drama night this year. In this exclusive interview with Gospel Film News publisher, Oluwafemi Dosu, Dare Norman who is also a make up artiste dig deep into how and why he started as a make up artiste. Excerpt:
CAN WE MEET YOU?
Yes sir, i am Dare Norman.
COULD YOU PLEASE LEAD US INTO YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
Well i didn’t really go far more in education because of family background. My parents were not together, but I thank God I was able to help myself to an extend. Of course I have my primary and secondary education at Kraus Nursery & primary school, Ojuelegba and Ijegun comprehensive high school, Lagos respectively.
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?
I was born into the film industry, my dad was a film maker; a D.O.P and a director in ANTP. I do follow him to locations. He wanted me to be a camera man so he taught me to be one.
WHY DID YOU PICK INTEREST IN MAKE UP?
Because I love anything Art generally, and I love creativity.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A MAKE UP ARTISTE?
Like i said, I love Art generally, anytime I am opportuned to go with my Dad to any film location as a camera boy, I always love to stay around the make up artist especially when they are doing the special effect. I remember when the troupe that my Dad belongs then (mesh films) are having a stage performance at National Theatre, Orile iganmu in Lagos, I do like to stay with the set and make up artist, when my dad noticed me, he gave me go ahead to enroll. As time goes on I gave my life to Christ, I went to Mount Zion institute of Christian Drama in 2011, when we are about shooting the 1st Mount Zion Alumni film, i met Bro. Abayomi Ojo (ABJ) my big boss doing make up, seeing the special effect, that inspires me more.
DO YOU MAKE UP FOR SECULAR FILMS AS WELL OR ONLY FOR GOSPEL FILMS?
Gospel films only.
YOUR YEARLY PROGRAMME, ON YOUR MARK, WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
On your mark is a ministers night, a night to discover God’s mind for his people. It’s a power packed programme that awakens the slumbers, bring back the sinners to God and tell people more about the second coming of Christ through the ministrations that takes place.
WHAT IS THE GENESIS OF THE PROGRAMME?
I have a burden in me to reach out to souls, also to wake up the slumbers in Christ.
WHAT ARE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME SO FAR?
We bless God so far, HE has been faithful drawing men to Himself. Souls are being won into God’s kingdom and there has been lots of testimonies as regarding GOD’s goodness through the programme.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ‘IF I DIE’ FOR THIS YEAR EDITION?
The right word to use is not ‘choose’ but ‘led’ or better still ‘convinced’. While in the script conference, though we had our center of concentration after getting the scenery of the play, one of the conference members just said it and it was gladly accepted by all present. Since then, we’ve not stopped getting clear confirmations about the message.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORY OF PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED AT THE PROGRAMME?
We are expecting all Drama Ministers, Pastors, Christian Workers, Youths and as many that desire to reign with Christ.
MANY PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS SCARED OF COMING FOR A NIGHT PROGRAMME IN IKORODU ESPECIALLY ODOGUYAN, WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE LEVEL OF SAFETY OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES AT THE PROGRAMME?
That will not be a problem. The invitees are adviced to come early to the programme. Nevertheless, Uniform men will be fully on ground. Maximum Security is Guaranteed.
WHY ARE YOU BRINGING EVANGELIST WOLE OLALEYE TO THE PROGRAMME?
Evangelist Wole Olaleye is the Guest Speaker and we are trusting GOD in his life to bless us dramatically. As per why he is the one, the Bible says in the mouth of two or more a matter is confirmed. About two of us got that conviction, we prayed about it and went on to process his Invitation letter.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS IN THIS EDITION?
We are believing God for His power to descend. We are also trusting Him for Salvation of souls, Signs, Wonders & impartation.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT GOSPEL FILMS IN NIGERIA?
We bless God for what HE is presently doing in Christendom. We also thank HIM for our fathers, the likes of Evang. Mike Bamiloye, lvon Jarrett, Kolade Segun-Okeowo, Ore Adewole, Doyin Hassan, Lekan Asikhia, Wole Olaleye, etc who have not stopped working in order that gospel films are appreciated in our society today. They even travel to other countries like the UK and France in order to increase the gospel audience.
YOUR TAKE ON MARKETING STRATEGY OF GOSPEL FILMS?
This is one of the challenges we have but God has been helping us. On strategies for marketing, of course your content should be rock solid and your presentation/packaging should be ‘wow’. Another aspect in marketing to consider is advertisement. Let your film be adequately advertised to help the marketers. Lastly, on marketing, before you go on location prepare to feature at least one known face. Nowadays people buy faces not films. They’ve seen this people act before and can now trust that any movie they feature in is certainly “wow”.
YOUR ADVICE TO THE YOUNGER ONES AND UPCOMING FILM MAKERS.
My advice for upcoming film makers is that they should be focused, and concentrate on their vision, don’t run after fame and money. Desire the safety of souls first. Daniel 12:3 says they that win soul are wise and shine as stars.