Saturday, October 22, 2022

Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman, Anikulapo and the Obsession for Netflix in Nollywood

Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman, Anikulapo and the Obsession for Netflix in Nollywood

Planning is everything and everything is planning in achieving our goals in our occupations and professions.

Nobody is too big, too high or too old to learn.

The films, ‘Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman" by Biyi Bandele and   "Anikulapo" by Kunle Afolayan  should have been in the Official Selections of the  Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in competition with the best new films by other filmmakers in the world. 
Both of them were produced for Netflix and the producers were fixated on seeing them in competition for the global Top 10 movies on Netflix.

The obsession of Nigerian filmmakers for Netflix deserves to be studied by psychologists.
Being on Netflix has become a status symbol for bragging rights by local filmmakers in Nollywood and their second obsession and status symbol is Amazon Prime Video SVOD.
To them being on either Netflix or Amazon Prime Video SVOD is like winning an Oscar at the annual Academy Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Once they are on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video SVOD, they have arrived, even though they are among the lowest paid filmmakers compared to the American, European, Australian and Asian filmmakers on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video SVOD.
Hundreds of the local filmmakers can stampede over themselves to be on either of the two leading streaming platforms for even US$20, 000. Yeah, they have become so cheap that many of them are giving their new movies to MultiChoice for less than US$1, 000 per movie! In fact, they fast and pray and do night vigils of praise and worship to be accepted by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video SVOD and MultiChoice.
They are doing more harm than good to the international reputation and valuation of Nollywoood and the Nigerian film industry.

If the focus of the producers of "Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman" and "Anikulapo" has been on making the Official Selections of the biggest international film festivals and the Academy Awards, there would not have been any controversial rejection of the films by the  Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Best International Feature Film category of the 2023 annual Academy Awards. Their focus on Netflix distracted them from following the road map to the Oscars.


- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.
The Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOOD MIRROR® Series,
New Nigeria on Pinterest





Friday, October 21, 2022

Public and Private TV Stations in Nigeria are Grossly Underfunded

Both the public and private TV stations in Nigeria are grossly underfunded.

I am speaking from professional experience since I started my career in the largest TV network in Africa, the  Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as the youngest professional scriptwriter for TV in Africa at 18 and from the 1980s and in 1998 worked as an Independent Production Manager of "Money Wise" on  the private DBN TV for two years when I was 35. 

When I look at both the public and private TV stations in Nigeria, I shake my head is disappointment. The underdevelopment of NTA in programmes is embarrassing when compared to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

The federal government gives peanuts to the NTA and expect the NTA network of over 36 TV stations to produce world class programmes, because they are clueless about the economics of the TV industry which can be learned from the more advanced TV industry of South Africa. 

If the public and private TV stations in Nigeria are producing great content for entertainment and enlightenment of the best standards, they will be highly profitable to compete with MultiChoice, the South African company that operates DStv, the leading satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa and GOtv operating in several countries and has the popular streaming service, Showmax. 

The NTA network and private TV stations in Nigeria have channels on DStv and GOtv instead of competing with MultiChoice. But how can they compete without the required infrastructure for a world class international TV industry with the budgets for the best TV productions and for the premium content that will increase their revenues from TV commercials and international distribution of their content. 


- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOOD MIRROR® Series.

I will Always Hang my Hat on the Truth

 I will always hang my hat on the Truth.

Speak the Truth and damn the wrath of the Earth.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Author of"The Prophet Lied", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Unveil Me My Love", "In the House of Dogs" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima


Speak The Truth and Damn the Wrath of the Earth

The Truth dies in whoever is silent

In the midst of Liars.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Author of"The Prophet Lied", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Unveil Me My Love", "In the House of Dogs" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima


Thursday, October 20, 2022

AFRILABS: 2022 AfriLabs Annual Gathering

MEDIA ADVISORY

 
AFRILABS: 2022 AfriLabs Annual Gathering
 
The purpose of the press conference is to position the 2022 AfriLabs Annual Gathering as a global event
 
 
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 20, 2022/- WHAT: Founded in 2011, AfriLabs (https://AfriLabs.com/) is a network organisation supporting Innovation Centers across African countries, grounded on the mission of building a community around the rapidly emerging technology hubs in Africa. The AfriLabs Annual Gathering is AfriLabs’ flagship event which provides a unique opportunity for technology hubs within the AfriLabs network and other stakeholders of the African technology and innovation ecosystem (such as corporates, development agencies, academia, and investors) to convene, network, learn and share knowledge.
 
WHEN: Friday, 28th October 2022 

TIME: 11.00 am – 12.00 noon South African time. See here (https://bit.ly/3CNIZkX) what time it will be in your country
 
WHERE: Online Via ZOOM
 
All journalists should REGISTER here (https://bit.ly/3Sjw0NV) to receive Zoom log in details for your attendance: https://bit.ly/3Sjw0NV

Language: English (With simultaneous translation to French and Portuguese)

Details:
The purpose of the press conference is to position the 2022 AfriLabs Annual Gathering as a global event focused on driving dialogue to foster intra-Africa connectivity, collaboration and innovation. Key information about the Gathering will be provided during the press conference, we encourage participants register to attend the conference.
 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AfriLabs.
 
For any interviews/media requests please contact:
OPC Technical contact: info@apo-opa.com
 
SOURCE
AfriLabs

"Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman" is Not the First Film Adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka's Works

"Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman" is Not the First Film Adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka's Works


The film project is the first time that one of Soyinka’s works would be made into a feature film.
http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/biyi-bandeles-elesin-oba-to-hit-cinema-oct-28/

It is baffling how Nigerian news media and their news reporters will continue to peddle falsehood on "Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman" being the first film adaptation of one of the works of Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The colourful film adaptation of "Death and the King's Horseman", one of the most popular plays of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, based on a real incident that took place in Nigeria during the British colonial era: the horseman of a Yoruba King was prevented from committing ritual suicide by the colonial authorities is erroneously being reported as the first film adaptation of one of his literary works. 
So what of the previous film adaptations of Soyinka's plays and autobiography? 
"Kongi's Harvest" of 1970 directed by Ossie Davis and produced by Francis Oladele, Lennart Bern
“Ake: The Years of Childhood” by Mr Dapo Adeniyi; 2016
"Sidi Ilunije", the film adaptation of "The Lion and the Jewel" by Tunde Kelani in 2017.

When Mo Abudu, the producer of the film said "Elesin Oba" is the first film adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka's works on Instagram, I corrected her that there have been film adaptations of other plays of Soyinka. But I have seen repetitions of this falsehood in several news reports.

Misinformation on the facts of life and history does collateral damage to human knowledge and education.  And the realization is more important for Mo Abudu who should be well educated on the history of filmmaking in Nigeria and film adaptations of Nigerian literary works, because she is a highly respected stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry as the Founder and CEO of the EbonyLife Group, owners of EbonyLife Studios, EbonyLife Films and the EbonyLife Creative Academy.


- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOOD MIRROR® Series

Sunday, October 16, 2022

New Nigeria on Pinterest Attracting Thousands of New Viewers

New Nigeria on Pinterest

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

From 240, 000 viewers monthly last month to 270, 000 viewers in October.
This is significant progress by having 30, 000 new viewers.

New Nigeria has great content curated by me

Getting premium content has never been my headache, but majority of people and companies pay lip service in their bragging rights for premium content, but they don't want to pay for it.
Premium content does not come cheap.
The best content will always cost more.

From movies and TV series to documentaries, I have premium content from every region in the world available for acquisition and distribution.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series

#Pinterest
#Nigeria
#content
#movies
#series
#documentaries
#acquisition
#distribution
#premium
#viewers
#people

Thursday, October 13, 2022

The Best Headshot for Success from Casting Calls to Auditions

https://www.nollycasting.com

 The focus needs to stay on your face and not your clothes or accessories!



Your headshot is your marketing tool! Your headshot is not just a picture; it represents your professional image and brand. It’s a professional photo of the talent where the focus of the photograph is the person’s face.


It is utilized to identify you as well as distinguish you from the crowd. It is the first impression you make to the public before they meet you in person. Therefore, the photo must look like you and represent you well!

Be seen as a professional, not as an amateur, so the way you present yourself in your photo is very important.

You must have a good, high quality, professional headshot if you want to be taken seriously by industry professionals!

We require all talents to upload a professional headshot within 30 days from today, and if you fail to do so, we will remove your profile from our database! But don’t worry, we are here to help you!

Below, we share some tips with you on how to acquire a good headshot!

Here are some tips for a good headshot to prepare for your auditions!

1. PROFESSIONAL

Go to your local professional photographer to book your photo session! Don’t settle for a photo taken by your phone because the low quality will show! Hire a professional who will know how to capture you well in the most professional way possible. It is worth the investment!

2. SHOW YOUR ESSENCE…SMILE!

Don’t forget to smile and engage with the camera! This is the best way to showcase your personality is through the expression on your face. Ladies, please avoid wearing heavy make-up and extravagant hairstyles. Wear just enough make-up that enhances your natural beauty and hair that shows your face!

3. WARDROBE

Choose wardrobe that complements your skin tone. Bright, solid, colors are best. Avoid heavy patterns and prints as they can become distracting. We also want to see your eyes so please stay away from sunglasses and hats. Please do not use any props!

4. LIGHTING, BACKGROUND & ANGLE

Please stay away from busy, distracting backgrounds and make sure that you have great lighting — whether it is shot indoors or outdoors!

See the professional headshot photos of the actors and models registered on Nollycasting.

https://www.nollycasting.com

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

RESTORING FAITH IN GOVERNANCE:THE UZODINMA STRATEGY

"RESTORING FAITH IN GOVERNANCE:*

*THE UZODINMA STRATEGY*

*TO ALL NDI IMO.*

*OUR VISION*
To galvanise Imo people to aspire and achieve together. To ensure that Imo comes before self-interest as we promote the tenets of one people, one destiny. To support, promote and place Imo State on the horizon of limitless opportunities while telling it as it is without bias, compromise, prejudice, favouritism or partisanship.

*OUR MISSION*
The need for clarity, certainty and accuracy in understanding the workings of the government in Imo State has never been more urgent than now. A lot of issues critical to our people are deliberately twisted, spinned, unreported, underreported and even mangled to create the impression that our state is under siege, failing and therefore should be avoided by all means.

The state has suffered extensive damages occasioned by an intricately contrived de-marketing agenda by agents of destablisation bent on tarring our people and the government with the brush of shame. There is no denying the fact that Imo, like other states in Nigeria faces enormous challenges of insecurity, infrastructural decay, economic stasis, social and cultural upheavals largely occasioned by resource deficits as a result of global economic downturn. The germane question that arises is “what is the government doing to tackle and resolve these challenges”
The need has therefore arisen for us to come together as a people in absolute collaboration for Effective State Engagement so that we can properly interrogate the state of affairs in Imo. How then do we develop a very effective and sustainable approach in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes that contribute to reducing conflicts, crime and violence and ensure that the shared prosperity agenda of the government is commonly available to all Imo citizens? We need to demand and secure explanations from the government on the inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts of its programmes and activities of political and economic stakeholders on our people.

This platform which ownership is open to all Imo people is a product of the resolute determination of select Imo citizens across the globe to have conversations, share views, exchange ideas, proffer solutions and encourage implementations, provides an opportunity for all Imolites to tell their stories and advance arguments without varnish or prejudice recognizing that only the truth triumphs.
As we come together to defend the dignity of our people and fight the common enemy of poverty, as we remind the government that the state is the duty bearer
and we the people the right holders, we must deploy adequate metrics to measure the progress or otherwise being made in the state.

Imo must be above all interests because we are one people, one destiny.
Together, we aspire, together we achieve. We are stronger united. Let the conversations begin.

Our evidence based submissions which would be published in multiple series are the result of several diligent, assiduous and conscientious interactions between our members who flew from North America, Europe, Asia and Africa to Imo State and many stakeholders, business people, politicians, the clergy, students, market men and women, traditional rulers, town union presidents, commercial vehicle operators, commuters, several citizens and residents of Imo State.

*OUR VERDICTS:*
*NOTE:* We are neither agents of the Imo State government nor any other interest group. We have never met with the Governor of Imo State as a group and we are not eager to meet him, his representatives or any other person or persons with respect to the work we are doing. We are simply Imo citizens desirous of making our state a better place for all. Every submission made here is the result of our honest and unbiased evaluation.

According to John Adams, facts are stubborn things and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. Here are the verifiable facts on ground.

*RECOVERY OF MISAPPROPRIATED IMO ASSETS.*
It is common knowledge that Imo State was raped, pillaged, plundered and fleeced by the officials of the administration that came to rescue it before May 2019. The brigandage and banditry against the state by the then Governor, his family and henchmen were so alarming and intolerable that the ability to recover looted state funds and properties became a campaign talking point. How has Governor Hope Uzodinma fared in this task of recovery from the corrupt profligate state actors of that era?
In his maiden broadcast to Imo people in January 2020, Governor Hope Uzodinma had clearly stated that “The New Imo State offers a new paradigm to redress the ripples of those years of maladministration…” To demonstrate that he was not a speech-conscious politician, he promised firm and courageous leadership, accountability, transparency, financial discipline, inclusiveness and anchored his government on the three pillars of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery and a culture of shared prosperity in which the wealth of Imo State would be used for the good of all.
Available and verifiable evidence on ground shows that since 2011 when Governor Uzodinma was elected to the Senate up till today, he has not shown the slightest proclivity or predisposition towards primitive and unconscionable acquisition of private wealth. He lives in the same house in Abuja, he has not appropriated his neighbour’s lands in his village, he has only owned one property in Owerri that he bought from a family. He has publicly stated severally that his mission in Imo is to serve and not to plunder. He therefore has the moral courage to stand up for what is right and has been committed to protecting the assets of the state from the long hands of crass freebooters and oppressors of the poor.
In leadership, it is always courage that continues to count. A courageous leader is one who is willing to listen to unfiltered feedback which may not necessarily be easy to hear and be ready to implement decisions that would bring about desirable outcomes. He understood clearly upon assumption of office that Imo people yearned for the complete recovery of stolen state and private assets by the administration of the man they elected into office on the pretence of philanthropy.

It is said that transparency is the antidote of hypocrisy and Governor Uzodinma being a transparent and non-hypocritical leader showed up at the foyer of courage because he knew what not to fear. With the currency of courage and transparency and daring to be different from past Governors, his administration has recovered the following illegally converted state assets based on the recommendations of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Lands and Related Matters

• N40 billion Naira Eastern Palm University (now renamed K.O. Mbadiwe University) built with state funds but appropriated by Senator Okorocha and his family. The University has since had its courses duly accredited by the National University Commission.
• Nsu Ceramic Industry with the capacity to generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs illegally acquired by ex-Governor Okorocha and his fronts.
• Royal Palm Spring Hotels and Apartments Owerri built on State Land.
• Imo Broadcasting Corporation Quarters illegally acquired and transferred to Rochas Foundation
• Owerri Magistrate Quarters, Orlu Road Cooperative Office/Girls Guide Office illegally converted to a private business premises: Market Square Supermarket/Kilimanjaro eatery and hundreds of other properties contained in pages 226 to 272 of the said report.

To be continued in part two of our Restoring Faith in Governance: The Uzodinma Strategy series.

Dr. J. Iyke Zy Agu MD PhD
Texas, USA

Ikenna Duru PhD
London, UK

Chukky M. Obioha (MLITT)
Lagos, Nigeria