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.