Quality Movies Beckon At Film Shops As AGN Trains Aspiring Film Makers For Free -By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye

If there is any area that exigently need to be improved upon in the process of movie production in the Nollywood sub-sector of Nigerian economy, it is unarguably that of training. The reason cannot be farfetched as training remains one of the keys to a better movie production in Nigeria, nay globally.
Without resort to downplaying the qualities of movies in the country and expertise of producers in the industry, it is expedient to say that there have been instances where bad and inaccurate subtitles have been observed to be one of the flaws affecting Nigerian movies, even as adequate vetting of their productions are not carried out before releasing them into the market.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, it would not be a misnomer to ask, “What could have been the reason for the flaw?” Contextually providing answers to the foregoing, not few critics are of the view that it is the responsibility of the producer to avoid such mistake because he recruits the crew, though the director can assist along the line. Still in a similar vein, the producer pays the crew, so he dictates the tune, and it is also his or her responsibility to hire the best hand who will handle the subtitling of the movies produced to promote his end products.

Without sounding personal in this context, a film producer should really care because a bad subtitled movie will do a lot of damage to the corporate image of the institution that regulates the industry. It is unarguably against the foregoing milieu that the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos Chapter, organized a 5-day free training for its members and non-members that are interested in filmmaking.

The topics that trainees were exposed to cut across camera intelligence which placed them on the pedestal of understanding camera movements and positioning as actors, character and characterization; which literarily push them to get into the character coupled with understanding the roles of the actor, his set and plot.

Other aspects of the training consist of steps to becoming a celebrity as well as attitude and understanding the ethics of being an actor and need for behavioural modifications. In the same vein, understanding how an actor can relate effectively with his director and crew members also formed one of the topics at the training session.

Ostensibly to enable the trainees have a better grasp of the dynamics of the industry, an insight was thrown to what Nollywood is, with particular reference to the understanding of its history, value and its importance to the rest of the world.

Still in a similar vein, the trainees were trained on the understanding of techniques for auditions and monologues as well as equipping them with the knowledge of types of acting techniques with particular emphasis laid on becoming a method actor.

Not left out as a topic in the training was the light shed on the history, ethics and organogram of the AGN. The first day of the training was handled by one of the best in the industry Mr. Segun Arinze (former president of the AGN and current president of Association of Voice OVER Artists of Nigeria (AVOA).

Characterised by strict disciplinary atmosphere, the venue of the training held at Ojez Restaurant at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, had the Chairman of AGN (Lagos Chapter), Emeka Rising Ibeh directing that “Arrival time for all Trainees shall be 8:00 a.m on Monday 4th July, 2022. All Trainees must be seated by then as attendance will be taken.

“Considering the traffic in Lagos, it is expected that all trainees arrive early as it will not augur well that these artists are the ones waiting for you all.”

By virtue of the calibre of the participants, who unarguably displayed high sense of maturity and exposure, all instructions given to make the training a successful one were adhered to. The Opening Ceremony, was conducted by 9a.m by the National President of AGN, and the former National President of AGN, Mr. Emeka Rollas and Mr. Segun Arinze respectively, while the lectures commenced by 10a.m prompt.

The event was highlighted with a jogging exercise coordinated by Star Actor, Segun Arinze, who took all participants in a fitness session.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that most participants that are both inexperienced and experienced in film production undoubtedly gain in the training as chances are that there are some niche positions in film production that they may not have been aware of. The training, unarguably provided the chance to search them all out, and the icing on the cake is that certificates will be issued to all participants were today issued certificates of participation at the Haile Selassie Hotel in Surulere, Lagos.