�We Are Only Acting�

What do Clara Maame Serwaa Amoateng Benson; Maame Yaa Konadu Jackson and Emmanuella Antwi have in common? Well, some people would rightly say they are all fast-rising, Kumasi-based film actresses in their early teens. Others would also sneeringly describe them as screen brats who have adopted distasteful adult traits. To the latter group of people, the three young actresses think they must understand that film is essentially a make-belief system and actors only play roles assigned by their characters and as wished by directors. No doubt, it is the roles those three play well in the movies that have caused some folks to assume that they are disrespectful, quarrelsome and plain nasty young persons. The young stars have disputed those claims and stated clearly in interviews with Showbiz that they could not be blamed for depicting roles assigned to them in the movies. Maame Serwaa, 14, said though she had heard comments about her being rude and disrespectful, she could not be bothered because people only judged her based on what they saw in the films. �I always put myself into any character I play. I learn the part so well that sometimes I add my own bits apart from what the director desires in order to make things look more realistic. I guess that has contributed to this perception but I�m not respectful,� she stated. A form three student of Mount Hermon School, Maame Serwaa has featured in movies like Fakye, Tumi, School Girl, Azonto Twins, Ahonhon Bone, Mprewa Nyinsen and Jerusalem House. She stated that she could not be blamed for being a good actress who plays emotional roles well, especially when she has to cry on screen. �It is not my fault that producers have come to like my style of acting. I am making fairly good money per movie and cannot let that pass me by because someone thinks I behave too much like an adult when acting. �I want to be a star actress in a few years and I�m working towards that. I�m not �too known� or whatever they see me to be,� Maame Serwaa remarked. On how she was coping with school alongside acting, Maame Yaa said her screen career had so far not affected her education in anyway and that her teachers admired her brilliance at school. Maame Yaa started acting in movies about six years ago. Films she has appeared in include Azonto Ghost, Azonto Twins, Fakye and Ntafuo Tumi. She said she was not perturbed by people�s comments because they do not really know her and how she is like in real life. �The fact that I am given a role that makes me act like an adult does not make me feel big or disrespectful. I do and will always respect the elderly. � The 13- year- old Junior High School student of Selorm Educational Complex said she wished people would rather take time to study her behaviour off the set before passing comments about her. Meanwhile, Emmanuella Antwi,13, who is also known for movies such as Tumi, Obra Ye Oko, Me Ba and Azonto Ghost Reloaded admitted that though she had heard some comments about her two other colleagues, she was yet to hear anything about herself. She said that could probably be attributed to her relatively short period in the industry and the fact that she doesn�t really play many adult roles. �My fans have really supported me over the three years that I have been in the industry. My father is very particular about my education so I can�t toy with my studies� she added.