Ali Muhammad Idris alias Ali Artwork is a stand-up comedian and film editor in Kannywood. In an interview with Weekend Magazine he speaks on what attracted him to comedy and film editing, how he juggles both and more. Excerpts:
Weekend Magazine: We will start with your brief history…
Ali Artwork: I was born in Tarauni Local Government of Kano State. I had my primary school education at Unguwa Uku Special Primary School from 1999 to 2005. After I finished my junior secondary school education at Government Junior Secondary School Unguwa Uku in 2008, I went to Government Senior Secondary School, Kundila to obtain my secondary school leaving certificate.
I proceeded to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso in Kano State to study Languages, English/Hausa but due to financial reasons, I dropped out when I was going to NCE II.
From there I engaged myself in numerous businesses like tailoring, graphics, editing, acting, comedy and many more.
WM: How did you venture into film editing?
Artwork: As somebody who was a school drop-out, one can do anything to survive. Therefore, it was during my struggles that I met one Aminu Mu’azu alias Aminu Bacci, he was a film editor, I explained my dire situation to him and asked for his help. Luckily for me, he did not only give me his listening ears but also gave me his helping hands. He taught me how to edit movies; he gives me motivational speeches about life, and also advised me on how to get better in life. Meeting him changed my life.
I have worked with a lot of movie directors like Aminu Saira, Ali Gumzak, Kamal S. Alqali among others. I have also worked with producers like Abba Miko Yakasai, Usman Mu’azu, AbdulAziz Dan Small, Naziru Dan Hajiya, Abubakar Mai Shadda and actors like Ali Nuhu, Adam A. Zango, Nuhu Abdullahi, Sadiq Sani Sadiq among others.
WM: How many films have you edited so far?
Artwork: I have edited so many films I have lost count. Some of the films that I edited include: ‘Maja’, ‘Gwaska’, ‘Ga Fili Ga Mai Doki’, ‘Duniya Makaranta’, ‘Soyayya Da Shakuwa’, ‘Bayan Rai’, ‘Raddi’, ‘Ina Mafita’, ‘Ashabul Khafi’, ‘Birnin Masoya’ and many more.
WM: What about the success you have recorded so far in Kannywood?
Artwork: I give God the glory because in terms of editing I have become one of the movers and shakers in Kannywood. I was nominated into 3rd MTN/Kannywood Award 2016 and I won Best Editor with the movie ‘Gwaska’. I was announced as the Best Movie Trailer Editor at the 2016 AMMA Award. I was also honoured with a merit award during the Arewa Creative Industry Concert in Kaduna recently. I was also able to open my production company ‘Mu Sha Dariya Arewa Comedian,’ which produces comedies.
WM: You are now into comedy; we will like to know what inspired you to be a stand-up comedian?
Artwork: A lot of factors have contributed to that. First, I can remember whenever I was with people chatting or having conversations they would be laughing. They said I was funny, many of them said I would be a good comedian. Eventually, I said let me give it a try and to my greatest surprise I am one of the best Arewa stand-up comedians. Apart from doing stand-up comedy I also do short clips comedy; I have a website where people can watch my work all over the world.
WM: What are the challenges you faced before you established yourself as a successful movie editor and comedian?
Artwork: I didn’t face stiff challenges because I didn’t rush things. I took my time before I did anything. Patience, perseverance, steadfastness, humbleness, hard work, determination, innovation and creativity have served as an ingredient for my success. Anything I put my hand to it, has gone perfectly.
WM: How did you juggle film editing and stand-up comedy as both fields were time sapping?
Artwork: From the beginning it was difficult, I was confused on how to combine the two. That forced me to sit and design my schedules. I forced myself to follow it strictly. Now it is very simple for me, I give each one of them specific time and my schedules are going smoothly.
WM: What is your biggest dream in film editing and comedy?
Artwork: I want to be one of the best film editors and stand-up comedians in the world. I can’t achieve that feat by saying it, I am also thinking of innovative ways to follow before I achieve that goal.
WM: You are thinking of being the best in comedy industry, do you have any plans of collaboration with Nigeria’s A-list stand-up comedians like Basketmouth and A.Y?
Artwork: Yes, I do. I am planning on how I will bring Basketmouth and the rest to northern Nigeria. Those comedians only focus on the southern part of this country. I know they also perform in Europe and Asian countries, but they have neglected the northern part, and what they don’t know is they have a large fan-base in the North. I am working towards bringing them here. That’s my plans for the Arewa Comedy Industry also.
WM: You have edited a lot of films, which of the film you edited is your best?
Artwork: I can’t name any film as my best film. To me, all of them are my best.
WM: Which of the films you edited gave you more headaches?
Artwork: Honestly ‘Dan Marayan Zaki’, ‘Gwaska’ and ‘Birnin Masoya.’ Although with ‘Dan Marayan Zaki’ I wasn’t the only person that edited it. I did it alongside Aminu Bacci and Bashir Lawan and what happened was that the pictures and quality of the movie was too high, so when I uploaded the work in the computer, automatically the system switched-off. It took me a lot of concerted efforts and manipulations before I could do the work.
WM: What is your happiest moment in the industry?
Artwork: My happiest moment was when I was named as the best among the others not because I am better than them, but I did an exceptional job they couldn’t.
WM: What about your saddest moment?
Artwork: My saddest moment was when I heard that my mentor and king of Hausa comedy, Alhaji Rabilu Musa Ibro was dead after a brief illness. It was shocking and devastating and after two years, I am still in mourning because I am still missing him. His death was an irreparable lost.
