Afrigather A singer, comic and actor, Franklin Isika, aka Frankie Seeka, has 134,000 followers on Instagram. He tells BABATUNDE TUGBOBO about his profession
When did you enterprise into comedy?
I had all the time been round comedians and content material creators. I additionally used to write down scripts as effectively. Nonetheless, I formally began my comedy profession in 2020.
What’s the inspiration behind your character, Frankie Seeka; the boy, Kiriku; and the canine, Storm?
It got here naturally being that Storm has all the time been the good one when the story is about me. Kiriku can be a sensible character, so I considered having a ‘face-off’ between each of them.
One of many recurring themes in your skits is when Storm tries to reveal your character or retaliate no matter fallacious you probably did to it. What introduced that about?
I’ve all the time studied canine, vis-a-vis the best way they act. I’ve all the time genuinely felt that deep down, they (canine) suppose they’re smarter than us (people). For instance, a canine will make sure cute faces when they need one thing from you. So far as I’m involved, that’s emotional blackmail. Within the mild of that, I considered a world the place canine would really feel extra inclined to show that they’re smarter than us, and the way that will play out. That was the concept behind Storm all the time proving to be a step forward of my character.
Did you could have any related experiences of your skits with canine whereas rising up?
Not from a canine. However, that’s principally what occurs when one has a youthful sibling, so I relate it to having a youthful one.
How do you get concepts in your skits?
I draw inspiration from various things. It could possibly be one thing I noticed, or what somebody mentioned. There are actually quite a lot of humorous conditions round us on daily basis. Additionally, I watched quite a lot of cartoons whereas rising up, and I nonetheless do.
How does it really feel being a social media comic?
I actually don’t really feel any totally different or particular. Maybe, that’s as a result of there’s nonetheless a lot for me to realize. I’ve not even scratched the floor of all that I need to do. I nonetheless get up on daily basis considering of what content material to create, and how you can get higher and fulfill my potentials.
Within the means of constructing your model, have you ever ever been pissed off?
Sure. I really feel that many individuals actually don’t perceive the arduous work I put in to make my movies; from the purpose of writing the script to taking pictures the video and enhancing it. I’ve to work at the very least thrice as everybody else as a result of all of the issues my canine does in my movies are actual; no particular results. It’s arduous sufficient taking pictures movies with human beings; speak extra of with a canine.
What are the challenges you could have confronted over time?
The largest one is the shortage of sources. One must pay for props and even areas. Opposite to fashionable perception, one can not simply begin creating content material, and instantly start to purchase automobiles. That isn’t the way it works.
It’s also arduous to even shoot movies in Lagos as a result of there are all the time hoodlums threatening to grab one’s digital camera if one doesn’t give them cash. They often declare that they’re those who watch our skits. They need us to pay them for entertaining them, whereas it must be the opposite method spherical. They assume we (social media content material creators) are shopping for automobiles as a result of they watch our movies; but, they accomplish that at no cost.
Have you ever ever been a sufferer of on-line bullying?
Sure, I’ve. Folks have mentioned hurtful issues about me as a result of they really feel that’s the solution to get one’s consideration. When one reacts, they might then say, “I’m your primary fan. I simply wished you to answer”.
You might have over 100,000 followers. How have been you capable of construct your fan base?
It has been a gradual course of. I’ve consistently been working to verify I create content material at the very least twice every week. I’ve additionally loved help from individuals who have extra followers than I do on social media. The favored music producer and file label government, Don Jazzy, has all the time supported me by reposting my movies. That has additionally helped me to develop my viewers. Social media character, Tunde Ednut, has additionally been very supportive over time.
Which of your movies introduced you fame?
I actually don’t suppose I’m well-known but. I’m working in direction of it. I even have so many issues I could possibly be doing.
What are the efforts you place into making your skits?
I’ve to work thrice tougher than different content material creators as a result of I’m fairly hands-on with my craft. All of us need to change into profitable and get to a spot the place now we have professionals taking pictures, enhancing and even writing scripts, however due to the distinctiveness of my content material, I would by no means have that luxurious. I’ve to direct the cameraman, the forged, and my canine. I additionally should be hands-on with whoever is enhancing on the few events the place I’m not enhancing the content material myself.
Has any of your skits obtained you in bother?
Sure. Earlier this yr, I obtained in large bother as a result of I shot a skit whereas sporting a police uniform. I spent weeks within the State Felony Investigation Division, and it was a horrible expertise.
How have been you capable of safe your bail?
I reached out to Don Jazzy, who made some calls and finally despatched cash to me for bail.
Did the police warn you towards utilizing their uniforms in your skits?
Sure, they warned me.
Have been you informed the method by which you may get approval to make use of police uniforms should you want them in your skits?
They mentioned I must come to their workplace and meet the Commissioner of Police who would give me approval to make use of the uniforms, and I’d return them after taking pictures my skits.
Past being a comic, what different actions are you concerned in?
I promote furnishings and I’m additionally into inside ornament. I imagine I’m a very good prepare dinner, and can like to determine eateries when I’ve the funds. I assist individuals to get canine as effectively.
Have you ever began earning profits out of your social media contents?
I’m nonetheless within the constructing stage of my profession. There’s a bit of cash coming in right here and there, however I’m nonetheless laying the muse for my profession.
Do you could have any plans to later get a white-collar job?
No. I imagine in earning profits doing what I get pleasure from. I’m a really inventive particular person, so even when I’m not making skits, I’d all the time need do one thing that includes me creatively expressing myself.
What sort of doorways has your presence on social media opened for you?
I’ve been capable of meet some actually necessary people who I could not have met with out social media.
Do you get humorous requests from ladies?
Not likely. I believe they’re all terrified of canine (laughs).
What are among the testimonies you’ve obtained out of your followers?
Essentially the most vital is when somebody mentioned my movies make him so blissful and fewer depressed. That meant the world to me as a result of being somebody that offers with despair myself, it felt wonderful to have the ability to assist somebody going through such problem. His message obtained me via that month, figuring out I’m doing one thing to assist individuals on the market.
How do you deal with detrimental feedback on social media?
Most instances, I ignore them. Typically, I block them, and typically, I reply to them and provides them a chunk of my thoughts. We’re all people. The truth that a few of us are entertainers doesn’t imply now we have a thicker pores and skin.
Have you ever ever wished you have been as fashionable in actual life as you might be on social media?
No, I can not afford that (laughs). It’s fairly costly to be fashionable, so possibly once I change into a millionaire, I can be simply recognisable.
In your social media web page, you described your self as ‘seeing issues in another way’. What precisely do you imply?
I’m a little bit of an ‘over-analyser’. I all the time discover a twist to issues. For instance, there are numerous individuals taking pictures skits, so I made a decision to be utilizing a canine, in order to face out. Even when colleagues deliver their scripts to me to work on, I all the time have another finish or starting for them.
There have been circumstances of canine used for sexual romps with people. What’s your tackle that?
That’s actually probably the most disgusting factor I’ve ever seen. Bestiality mustn’t have a spot in our society. It paints us, actual canine lovers, in a nasty mild. There are often feedback on my posts, with individuals asking if it isn’t a kind of ‘Lekki canine’. It hurts me to learn issues like that.
What recommendation do you could have for younger abilities who need to change into skit makers?
Do that since you actually find it irresistible. Don’t do it since you see individuals doing it and suppose it’s a shortcut to straightforward cash. This is likely one of the most taxing issues one can select as a profession. And, you all the time should put your finest foot ahead.
What distinguishes you from different on-line comedians?
My contents are totally different and groundbreaking. I don’t use particular results for skits involving my canine. Even many Hollywood films use social results for animal scenes. All what individuals see in my skits are merchandise of inventive considering; nothing extra.
How will you describe your childhood?
I did quite a lot of enjoying and studying. I used to be fairly a cussed child. Certainly, I had a very fun-filled childhood.
Have been your mother and father supportive once you selected to change into a comic, and the way do they react after they watch your skits?
I’ve been an orphan since I used to be 14 years outdated. I do want my mother and father have been alive. I do know they might completely love what I’m doing.
In the midst of taking pictures skits along with your canine, has it ever bitten anybody you have been working with?
No, it hasn’t. My canine is likely one of the sweetest canine one can discover. She is just not aggressive. She has a singular method of sensing worry. When she notices that an individual is terrified of canine, she wouldn’t go near the particular person.
Has anyone ever declined working with you due to your canine?
No. Initially, there have been some people who have been actually terrified of canine. However, after they meet mine, it truly helps them to cope with their phobia. A pair individuals have truly gone forward to purchase canine after assembly mine.
What kind of coaching did you give your canine to allow you to shoot skits with it?
It’s actually arduous work and persistence. I’ve to obviously inform it what I would like it to do. I additionally have to all the time have a deal with shut by, in order to make taking pictures enjoyable for it.
