When the So Called Masterclass is not a Masterclass

When the So Called Masterclass is Not a Masterclass

"What makes a work of art a masterpiece is not the craft.
But the Imagination of the artist."
- Ekenyerengozi MichaeI Chima.

Some years ago, I was invited to participate in a Masterclass on  Documentary Filmmaking by the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate of the United States of America in Lagos in the Documentary Showcase Program with American documentary filmmakers. Prominent Nigerian filmmakers in Nollywood were also invited. But the workshop was rushed by the American filmmaker teaching what was nothing new or different, but documentary filmmaking for beginners and what the Nigerian filmmakers already knew. He was teaching us what students in high school were taught in America.

Then the workshop ended abruptly without the completion of the most important sessions.

The American filmmaker started  the presentation of Masterclass  certificates to all the participants. But I refused to accept my own certificate with my name already written on it.

"We never had any masterclass on documentary filmmaking," I said.

The others were compelling me to accept it. I reluctantly collected it. But I dumped it later in the drawer of my desk in the office of Supple Communications Limited.

Finis.

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#Nollywood

#America

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#office

RECOMMENDED BOOKS BY EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEI CHIMA

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

In Her Eyes Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women

"In Her Eyes Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women by Women.

It is the most transformational filmmaking workshop by women for women in the history of the film industry.

100 women

To be trained by 4 women who are accomplished filmmakers.

7 days of programme on filmmaking.

100 short films on "In My Eyes Through My Eyes" testimonies by each of the participant on their true life experiences.

1 feature film.

Certificate of Achievement.

Membership in an international organization for filmmakers.

World premiere of "In Our Eyes Through Our  Eyes"  by all the participants in an international film festival before Christmas.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The CEO, International Digital Post Network Limited.

In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women in Nigeria

In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria

The Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) in Nigeria are launching the first annual "In Her Eyes Through Her Eyes" Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria for 100 women every year with the goal to increase the number of women professionals working in the Nigerian film industry.

About WIFTI in Nigeria 

https://www.spotlightinitiative.org/press/eu-un-spotlight-initiative-inaugurates-women-film-and-television-international-network-wifti

The maiden workshop will take place in October, 2023.

Facts about Women Making Movies in Nollywood

Do you know that Nigerian female filmmakers have produced the top three and most of the highest grossing Nollywood films so far?

1 Battle on Buka Street, 2022, ₦668,423,056 by Funke Ayotunde Akindele 

2 Omo Ghetto: The Saga, 2020, 

₦636,129,120[2 by Funke Akindele 

3 The Wedding Party, 2016, ₦452,288,605[3 by Kemi Adetiba

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_Nigerian_films

Female filmmakers in Nigeria have produced the highest grossing Nollywood movies, but they have only produced about 5 percent of the over 1, 000 movies produced annually in Nigeria, because they are about 10 percent of over 1, 000 filmmakers in Nigeria.

Imagine how much more in ROI we will have in the Nigerian film industry if we have more female filmmakers in Nollywood.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase the professional engagement of women among the filmmakers in the Nigerian film industry, because, there are not enough  women who are making films in Nigeria compared to the over 1,000 men making movies in the largest film industry in Africa.

I believe women are the best storytellers of their lives.

Can men tell what women go through in menstrual periods and travails of pregnancy more than women?

Can men explain the stigma and trauma of barren women more than women?

Can men know the depth of the loneliness of widows?

Do you know that widows in some tribes in Nigeria have been forced to drink the water used to bathe bodies of their husbands in rituals to swear that they were not responsible for their demise?

There are many untold stories of girls and women in Nigeria, because in several critical situations, it is taboo for them to speak out. 

The In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria is open for partnership and sponsorship by local and international institutions and organizations.

'Social Media Strategies for Your Business Brand - A Marketing and Technology Primer' Half Day Denver Workshop by iDiaz Marketing

The application of social media strategies is no longer news in the advanced countries, but it is still underdeveloped in most of the developing countries like Nigeria. Many of the leading companies in Nigeria simply join the popular social networking sites, but are yet to explore the business opportunities. I got the franchise to launch Nigeria Startup Weekend (Africa) and created the Re-Branding Nigeria Clubs Facebook for the mobilization and sensitization of millions of Nigerians on using social media strategies for the nation building of a New Nigeria. The following news release would be of immense benefit to companies in Nigeria. I hope they will send their representatives to the workshop in Denver and play catch-up with those from the developed world.

~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The Publisher/Editor
Nigerians Report

10 Mar 2010 13:30 Africa/Lagos


'Social Media Strategies for Your Business Brand - A Marketing and Technology Primer' Half Day Denver Workshop by iDiaz Marketing

DENVER, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Social Media Expert and professional speaker Lisa Diaz of iDiaz Marketing and Denver Technology Security Executive Hector Diaz, are co-presenting, "Social Media Strategies for Your Business Brand" an information-packed half day workshop providing strategies, tactics, and technology knowledge immediately useable to market smarter online with Social Media.


The workshop is from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, April 7th, 2010 at the Denver Athletic Club. Admission is $295 per person. Group rates are available.


This 4 hour power session is ideal for business leaders, sales, customer service, business development, and marketing managers responsible for customer acquisition or business growth through marketing channels and seek answers to these questions:


-- Which social media tools can grow business?
-- Will a Facebook fan page or LinkedIn profile bring new customers?
-- Is Twitter a good use of time?
-- What happens to personal information when creating a social media
profile?
-- What kind of information is safe to send in an email?



Attendees will learn how to develop a social media marketing plan that drives success to meet your business goals. Blogs, microsites, video, online ads, and email are tools. Using the right tools for business based on smart strategies lays the foundation for success.


About iDiaz Marketing and Hector Diaz


iDiaz Marketing is a marketing consulting company dedicated to helping businesses strategically integrate new marketing technologies like social media, email marketing and search marketing into their current marketing mix. Lisa Diaz, Principal Consultant at iDiaz Marketing, has over 20 years of experience in marketing communications and 13 years in eMarketing. Diaz is certified by both the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization and Online Marketing Institute.


"Lisa is one of the most knowledgeable speakers on the subject of social media and Internet marketing. Her presentations are clever, funny and jam-packed with information." -- Caroline Schomp, V.P., CableNetWorkz


Hector Diaz is a Denver executive with a diverse background in Information Technology, Product Marketing and Service Management. His extensive experience includes managing international data centers for Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies. He is an authority in computer security.


For more workshop information or to register, visit www.iDiaz.org/Workshop, or contact Lisa Diaz at 303.710.1453, or lisa@idiaz.org. Attendance is limited to 30 people to maximize the learning experience.


Source: iDiaz Marketing

CONTACT: Lisa Diaz of iDiaz Marketing, +1-303-710-1453, or
lisa@idiaz.org


Web Site: http://www.idiaz.org/
http://www.idiaz.org/Workshop