‘Friend who mocked me for doing skits now works for me’ – Skit maker, Mark Angel

Well-known content producer and skit creator Mark Angel has shared his story of nearly giving up comedy because of obstacles and negative feedback from peers.

In a recent interview with Teju Babyface, Mark Angel related how, when he was a struggling skit creator, a friend who worked for Shell Nigeria made fun of him and asked if he intended to use the skits to support his family.

He stated that he started making skits in 2013 but gained the spotlight in 2015. He said even at that he didn’t achieve financial breakthrough until the next year.

Mark said, “I started skit-making in 2013 but hit the spotlight in 2015. In 2015, people started to know about me. I think my breakthrough was in 2016. That was when I decided to do comedy full-time.

“I was doing photography and videography part-time before then. So, I just decided to let that go. It took three years before I blew up in the skit-making business. There were so many times when I was discouraged. But the vision and belief I had were stronger than the discouragement.

“At a point, I started doubting myself because of what people were telling me. I had a friend called Alloy who nearly discouraged me from this life of skit-making.

“One day, I was coming back home from the location with my laptop and camera, and Alloy who was working with Shell Nigeria then stopped me to say, ‘Mark, you intend to provide for your family with skits? Really? This ‘foolishness’ is your plan to take care of family? Just wandering and trekking aimlessly with laptop? At least, pay for a ride on a commercial motorcycle!’

“As at that time, I was investing every money I was making into my craft. Because at that time the only way you could get ahead was to pay bloggers. I even put one of the bloggers on monthly payment. I paid the blogger N30,000 every month to promote my skits.

“Alloy who was discouraging me back then now works in my construction company. He works for me now. So everytime, I teased him about how he was mocking me during my days as a struggling skit maker.”