How I bonded with Mr Macaroni for Funke Akindele’s movie — Destiny Etiko

Actress, Destiny Etiko, has said that her on-screen chemistry with Mr Macaroni in the movie, Behind the Scenes, was strictly professional, adding that their meeting on set was their first encounter.

Etiko noted that it was largely due to the direction of Funke Akindele that they were able to bond seamlessly and convincingly portray their characters in the movie.

“You mentioned how I was able to bond with Mr Macaroni. One thing about Aunty Funke is that whenever you are about to shoot, she brings your character and the character you are working with together and makes you understand what it is all about and how she wants it to be. She is the director, so she takes her time to explain every detail, and if you understand your job, you key into it immediately.

“That was my first time meeting Mr Macaroni, and he is such an amazing soul. He was very nice to me and highly professional. We bonded like we had known each other for years, and we shot the movie. I’m glad everyone could see the chemistry.”

Etiko, who played the character Oluchi in the film, noted that while the role did not have a lasting personal effect on her, the story’s relatability would resonate strongly with viewers

“In filmmaking, the first thing is to read your script and wear the character. Once you are done, you take it off because there is another script waiting for you. So, I wouldn’t say it had any effect on me after the film. However, the story is very relatable, so anyone who watches it can connect with it because it reflects real-life situations we are all aware of.”

Speaking on how she detaches from roles after production, Etiko said, “One thing about filmmaking is that once you understand your character, you wear it like a uniform and key into it. Once you do that, it becomes easier to deliver.

“It becomes a problem when you are playing a role, like that of a maid, and you still carry the ego of Destiny Etiko. Whatever you have achieved or experienced in your life should be set aside so you can fully embody your character as if it were your real life. That is how I was able to play Oluchi effectively. I didn’t even know it would create such an impact.

“There is really no big deal in detaching from a character. Once the movie is done and it’s a wrap, you leave that character behind. The only exception might be when you play a village role and temporarily adopt a local accent, but even that fades after a day or two, depending on the individual. For me, it doesn’t affect me at all.”