Before Stardom With…Presh Chuks - Punch Newspapers

Could you tell us about your educational background? I have a Diploma in Theology and a certificate in Script writing. I also just completed my National Diploma programme in Performance and Media Art, which has given me a deeper understanding of acting, performance and filmmaking. Beyond formal education, I have learned a lot through my practical experiences in the creative industry. How did you discover your acting talent? My journey into acting did not happen overnight. I initially started by marketing faith-based movies in Aba, Abia State. That experience exposed me to filmmaking and storytelling; it also made me realise how much I enjoyed being around the creative space. How did you become an actor?See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Like I said earlier, I started out by marketing faith-based movies. From there, I transitioned into acting in faith-based films. As I began gaining more recognition, I eventually made the move into mainstream Nollywood. At a point, I made the decision to relocate to Lagos State, which I saw as an important step for my career. Lagos gave me the opportunity to meet more people, explore new opportunities and position myself within a much larger creative environment. It has been a gradual journey, filled with challenges, learning and growth. What initial challenges did you face? The first came from home. At the beginning, no one from my family really believed I could make it in the film industry. My mum wanted me to become a medical doctor or a computer scientist, so pursuing a career in film was not something my family initially understood or supported. However, as things began to work out and money started coming in, they gradually came around and began to understand that this was more than just a dream for me. The second challenge was navigating the industry without a mentor or a guild to guide me. The third challenge was funding. Pursuing a career in filmmaking without proper funding or industry support meant that I had to put in triple the effort where others might put in just a fraction. I had to be creative, resourceful and willing to make sacrifices to keep moving. There were also challenges with direction, finding the right opportunities and knowing which path to take. Tinubu woos French business group for more investment in Nigeria Dad rejected our plan to remake ‘Agbara Nla’ — Damilola Mike-Bamiloye Two Lagos women remanded over cyberstalking How did you surmount these challenges? I stayed consistent and refused to give up. I kept learning, creating and looking for opportunities to improve myself. I also understood that I had to build more than just an acting career; I had to build a brand. My experience in marketing, scriptwriting, editing, directing and other aspects of filmmaking has helped me become more versatile. Which movies would you say greatly increased your popularity? The film, Wrong Decision, greatly impacted my journey, especially during my time in faith-based filmmaking. However, projects such as Nelo (The Untold Story), Her Sister’s Choice, Dabbie’s Saloon, and Answer the Call (a short musical film), among others, also played significant roles in my career. They brought me more visibility, recognition and opportunities. The 2024 Meddik 55 advertising campaign also contributed to my growth, alongside some shows and other projects I have been privileged to be part of. Are there projects you are currently working on? On the acting side, I have three major projects that I am particularly excited about. Beyond those, there are also about 15 films that have the Presh Chuks name attached to them, either as an actor, director, producer or DIT. Most of these projects are already in the post-production stage and will be released at different times this year, hopefully. There is still a lot of work to do, but I am grateful for the progress so far and excited about what is coming next. Victor Ayeni Victor is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers’ Features Desk with over ten years of experience as a writer and blogger. He has reported on a wide range of topics, including Lagos State Government affairs and Lagos politics, blending in-depth research with engaging storytelling. Victor’s work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to clear, accurate, and compelling journalism.

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