COMMENDING NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY IN NIGERIA

From an idea that kept a lot of skeptics busy with condemnations and others calling it a waste of time, energy and even at a point in time, referred to as a stale and unworkable idea, the New York Film academy in Nigeria has come to stay.

An idea coined by and promoted by veteran actress Stephanie Okereke, to promote, train and develop a new generation of actors and actresses, script writers, film directors and producers and others across the board. It also aims to provide regular training and development to existing members of the film community.

When it was first advertised on African Independent Television (AIT) sometimes last year, I saw it as an avenue to really promote new ideas in the industry. My thinking was most movies will move away from the wrong portrayal of fetish, magical and sometimes non appealing nature to something that will take a world wide appeal.

The last movie that was shot in Nigeria that had an audience worldwide was Mr Johnson, starring Pierce Brosnan, Maynard Eziashi, late Hubert Ogunde and some legends of the Golden Age of Nigerian Cinema. That was the movie that put Pierce Brosnan in contention for the James Bond role, which he eventually earned.

The areas I would love the academy to address is to encourage their students to change is the quality of scripts and productions. Some scripts sell before they get to the screen. As for scripts, I would like them to concentrate on adaptation for cinema of some books and plays written by local writers. A large number of movies we watch are adaptation of foreign movies. Books like The passport of Malam Ilia, Things Fall Apart, Eze Goes to School and scripts on Nigerian history such as Ovoramnwen Nogbaisi and the fall of the Bini Empire,King Jaja of Opobo,Othman Dan Fodio’s conquest can draw can be developed into epics for worldwide audience.

They should also concentrate on the quality of production. Most productions in Nollywood are not professionally done. This is a direct result of non professional financiers who want to make quick profit. This should be improved upon subsequently.

The Academy should expand its classes beyond Abuja. They should conduct their classes in the six geo-political zones of the country every summer to ensure proper impact and spread across the country. This can be done simultaneously. 

Although still young, the Academy will go a long way to make the required impact on the industry. I hope big sister, Stephanie Okereke and her organisers are taking note.

HOW THE 2011 NIGERIAN GENERAL ELECTIONS WILL AFFECT NOLLYWOOD

As our citizens go to the polls to elect or return new or serving leaders to direct the affairs of state for a four year term, issues concerning what Nollywood will benefit from any of the elected leaders worries me to the marrow.

Ever since the present administration announced and actually set aside a US$200 million for the arts and culture sector in the country as government direct intervention for the development of the industry last year, it has sparked off varied interest both within and outside the industry.

Most of our movie stars and other practitioners have even gone for crash courses in writing beautiful proposals to enable them access the funds to execute their projects. As commendable as that and other actions may be, other strategic issues remain unaddressed.

What are the incentives available for new entrants in the different spheres that form Nollywood? Will Nollywood benefit from new technology subsidized by the new funds? What training and exposure needs will the leading practitioners be exposed to in the new dispensation? Will the misunderstanding among the various individuals claiming to represent Nollywood (NANTAP: National Association of Theatre Practitioners) allow the purpose of the fund set aside to see the light of the day? How will the exhibitors, gaffers, theatre groups (not movies), extras and other support services in the entertainment industry benefit from the fund? More important how will the government support or help sustain the industry over a long term to maturity?

There has not been adequate orientation on the contents and context of the funds to the general public since its inception. Except for the government officials, who have a full grasp of the intended direction of the fund and a few practitioners in the industry, no other individual or group has been spared the modalities for the disbursement of the fund. Our policy makers ought to make all information available beyond mere announcements but adequate information dissemination to all and sundry as it concerns the nation as a whole and most of all, taxpayers’ money. What matters most is the implementation of the purpose of the funds.

However, practitioners in the entertainment industry are encouraged by this act of government as nothing like this has ever happened to the entertainment, arts and culture industry in its more than half a century of existence.

I still believe that the federal government through its relevant agencies will find the appropriate fora to disseminate information about the funds set aside for the industry.

Practitioners in the industry should not abandon government to do everything. Rather, the practitioners who have benefited and/or have first hand information about the fund should endeavor to educate others. They could go as far as organizing paid seminars for the purpose. Yes, this is the information age and information is power.

Well one disheartening issue is that no member of the entertainment industry is vying for elective position at either the upper or lower house of the senate. The industry will always lag behind if it abandons or allows its future to be directed by novices or politicians who have nothing to contribute to it or do not know how to go about formulating good growth policies to the industry. Only those who wear shoes know where it pinches most, so says a popular adage.

The industry stands to benefit most if it presents its own for elective,ministerial  and also fight for the development agency positions (i.e.Director General) in government agencies responsible for promoting entertainment. Commendations must go to those who have served as commissioners of arts and culture. The Edo and Delta state governments get my particular commendation for recognizing artists at the highest level and equally giving them a role.

However, the industry practitioners need federal presence to be able to impact on society and get immediate attention to its needs. As the third largest movie industry in the world, the industry will require an experienced practitioner to get the government to protect it from dwindling to the abyss.

I wish the industry the best as we await the results of the 2011 general elections.

A REVIEW OF THE AMAA 2011 AWARDS

The just concluded African Movie Academy Awards held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was more or less an eye opener to the Nigerian Movie Industry; Nollywood.It caught our film industry like a hurricane and gave us an unforgettable and unforgivable nightmare we will never forget. Our best of the best were turned into the worst of the worst. Nollywood stalwarts went home disappointed and ashamed. We were caught off guard right in our backyard before our very eyes.Finally, our fears, those of a very few were finally confirmed. Is this the end of Nollywood’s reign?

Flash back December 2009 when the ION film festival held in Port Harcourt. An unknown lady mounted the stage at the end of the Awards to express concern about the quality of films produced by Nollywood. She warned of the dire consequences of producing less qualitative movies and told our producers present point blank to urgently do something about otherwise the unexpected might happen.Her fears have been confirmed.

Movies from Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroun, Ghana and United States Of America (as usual) shone like a million stars, winning the major awards, while Nollywood  movies carted away less prestigious awards. So what went wrong?

The movie of the year at the awards took a bit above five years to produce and I believe the same applies to most or all of the foreign films that took home awards. My point here is: most of our local movies are not products of research. They are just produced to make money and gain momentary popularity.Movie producers in Nigeria should better research their stories before depicting it so as to make an impact on the world.

The quality of stories is an important one too. I believe that if we get the stories right we could also be on our way back to dominate movies in Africa and the Caribbean. Most scripts are either modified remakes of American movies or even African ones or just regular stories that we hear every that. I do not intend to castigate their performance, but the story quality is comparable to that we see on a popular children’s television programme, Tales by Moonlight. The world wants original stories from Africa, because we are rich in history and culture.The African Continent is yet to quantify the impact of the South African movie Sarafina simply because it depicts a passing phase in their history.

Adequate publicity should be given to movies produced locally on a periodical basis. When you don’t publicize your services, you actually lose money.

Movie critics and practitioners should establish an independent film review mechanism within the industry. That will give the viewing public an opportunity to appraise your performance.

It is very clear now that next years’ awards might not be in our favour if we do not put our house in order and prepare. The only constant thing in the world is change. A stitch in time saves nine.

God Bless Nigeria. Amen.

REVIEW OF THE 2009 ION FILM FESTIVAL

The 2009 ION Film Festival came rounded off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria last weekend. We saw more of foreign based Nigerian representation in the film content than local movies. We also saw more of foreign films carting away top prizes than local films. Worse still, the real icons of our movie industry were either conspicuously or deliberately absent at this great event.

One spectacle I was treated to was the lady who mounted the stage when the event was drawing to a close. She expressed concern and told the truth about our policy makers watching and glorifying and even turn second rated performers such as PRAS to over rated artistes.

To most Nigerians and even our film makers, her concern was true because we consume more of foreign movies than local ones. These foreigners have turned Nigeria into their dumping ground for everything.

The Nigerian authorities have demonstrated over the years that it is not capable of and developing complex industries such as the movie industry. This particular industry which directly and indirectly employs millions including the distribution chain has been the most endangered because nothing has been done by our authorities to protect them.

I do not blame these people at all because they do not watch Nollywood. However something must be done by our authorities to checkmate these problems.

A local film Awards akin to the Oscars in the United States should be instituted to honor those pioneers and stalwarts in the industry. Film festivals should also be instituted by state governments that can afford it to give impetus to the industry. There should also be a platform where the film makers and others can meet speak with one voice at any fora. Appropriate acts should be instituted in the Federal Constitution and existing ones reviewed to encourage growth in the industry. Our movie makers should also take their movies beyond our shows to Paris US and other film festival around the world.

On a final note, whoever that woman who stood up for Nollywood and Nigeria is and wherever she is,she has done something most courageous men wil not dare in the face of adversity: being able to defend our heritage anytime anyday. Send her my regards and tell her this admirer is grateful she spoke for Nollywood and Nigeria.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA. AMEN

WILL WE EVER LEARN TO CHANGE?

The last ION Film Festival in Port Hacourt