Performing Arts Academy in Nigeria!

[filmdirector]

Originally Posted by Sola

Its is a good thread. I think the occasional workshops idea is still the best way to go for a people so scattered around the world. We should consider INVITING some members to participate. Not everyone will volunteer.

Multiple workshops taken around the country, free attendance? Get agencies locally and abroad to sponsor trips?

The calling card of the contributors must be weighty though...

Just what i said.
I would prefer some kind of decent sponsorship as I would like some financial comp. I think that is fairly easy as lots of corporations are into this sort of thing.

Multiple workshops around the county? I can not do. A week or two at most yes and depending on time and availabilty.

I really would prefer to have a more weightier resume before instructing but if what i have is okay then so be it.

If not, with financial comp I have a DP friend that could teach that.

I usually don't speak lightly. So if this is a serious thing then I am on board with adequate planning and all ducks in a row.

[Sola]

I thin getting people committed is the easy part. Ideas should now focus on how to raise funds for such a project. No idea should be too small.

As per compensation though...Are you talking about some sort of stipend or real money? I thought the intention was to contribute to the development of the place? In this case, that would be time and mind. Why ask for money?

[Thickmadam]

Film director, biko no vex.
pecs will get back to you as soon as she can.
still putting some things together so she doesn't come to you with half baked ideas.

hang tight sis.

[filmdirector]

Originally Posted by Sola

I thin getting people committed is the easy part. Ideas should now focus on how to raise funds for such a project. No idea should be too small.

As per compensation though...Are you talking about some sort of stipend or real money? I thought the intention was to contribute to the development of the place? In this case, that would be time and mind. Why ask for money?

Sola,
Who is rich? I live abroad like most everyone here. With a family. Who can afford to pay airfare, one - two weeks hotel accomodation, travel within country and eat three square meals?

That's why I said corporate sponsorship. That way we have our expenses taken care of, some stipend and the workshops are free for attendants.

But no and honestly, I can't afford it on my own. But maybe this would be something for those that can afford to travel on their own dime? Or maybe for me it would have to be something that i squeeze in when I am in the country for other other matters.

But i wait for the main hunchos to tell me their final plan.

[filmdirector]

But seriously though,
Guys, corporations will finance this as a contribution to the industry. What they will want is some kind of free advertising.

corporations to look for -
Banks - Zenith, UBA, etc
Telecommunications - Celtel, glo,Mnet
Nigerian Film Corporation
State government - local state used.
Even some oil companies.

I think some of these foreign countries like India, China and France are involved in some way with the Nigerian film industry or have shown interest. Their embassies might have to be contacted.

So see? It is a lot of work and needs a local on ground.

[Sola]

I see FD is still locked into this IDEAL SITUATION thinking.
1) It is Nigeria. It always goes beyond advertising.
2) Money comes out of most places if the controller of the money is taken along in a man-know-man scenario
3) International agencies, I think, will be more willing to go through the motions without added backend complications.
4) Fact that Nigerians, not foreigners, are the ones coming to do the workshops will not carry as much corporate weight. Its just the way we think.

Another way to go is to have a KNOWN Nigerian at home who has expressed interest in training and workshops in the past be the face of the project at home. We will get folks abroad to volunteer time. Their flight, accommodation, feeding will be taken care of by the corporate sponsor for the period.

The KNOWN contact at home will try obtaining corporate commitments at home, using his/her clout and the fact that is is not a commercial project + the fact that Nigerians practicing abroad are the ones coming to give back to the industry.

[filmdirector]

Originally Posted by Sola

I see FD is still locked into this IDEAL SITUATION thinking. 1) It is Nigeria. It always goes beyond advertising.
2) Money comes out of most places if the controller of the money is taken along in a man-know-man scenario
3) International agencies, I think, will be more willing to go through the motions without added backend complications.
4) Fact that Nigerians, not foreigners, are the ones coming to do the workshops will not carry as much corporate weight. Its just the way we think.

Another way to go is to have a KNOWN Nigerian at home who has expressed interest in training and workshops in the past be the face of the project at home. We will get folks abroad to volunteer time. Their flight, accommodation, feeding will be taken care of by the corporate sponsor for the period.

The KNOWN contact at home will try obtaining corporate commitments at home, using his/her clout and the fact that is is not a commercial project + the fact that Nigerians practicing abroad are the ones coming to give back to the industry.

Sorry if i sound idealistic. Oh well!
I have details for industry people back home with clout we could approach but the work involved is the issue in my mind. As you have said nothing in Nigeria is smooth sailing and would require someone doing a lot of leg work.

Maybe those of you with Pompom's info can contact her on this. She is in Nigeria right? She might help out. She has contacts to Ego right? Ego knows people with money. Hey worth a try. They might be more appreciate of Nigerians coming to give back.

[ddizzle]

Me i dont mind the hosting workshops idea...i dont have any educational backgropund in filmaking but my mother was an actress and she studyed theatre so i can study her notes...

Im very interested but will my distance affect the works i only go home during christmas holidays will that work?

[rudeboy]

Good ideas, welldone people! So, I come with the following posers. Who is the target? This question is very important because if you hold a workshop where the instructors are Nigerians from abroad, and expect the current over-sabi filmmakers to attend, you are just wasting your time. Even corporate sponsorships know this. But if the target is new people who really want to make films as professionals, then we have to go back to the academy thing (which is theme of this thread, anyways) with well structured curriculum, subject planning, goals etc. It is not an easy thing but could be done all we need to do is invest time and sweat. Then it also requires time to grow. There MUST be oyibo people involved, not because they are better (the could be) but that is the only SERIOUSNESS people (hence the affiliations) and corporations see in Nigeria. Ok, make we carry go jare!

[Papino]

What a brilliant thread?
Let us note that the idea remains brilliant only to the extent that it is not just talks but,i can honestly feel the zeal in it and pray that the idea lives
While i am all for a clear layout of a curriculum and what nots,let us recognise the fact that a thourough check in the form of acknowledgement of existing theater arts departments and film schools is a must.Infact,we would not be duplicating efforts when we also recognise the potentials of good lecturers in the schools(Film institutes and thearter arts departments of Universities) whose godness has been rubbed-off by the scattered nature of their school system and poor welfare.
Let us also check out the NAFTTI Angela81 talked about because i am not alone in observing that the audio production of Ghana movies are better than that of Nollywood so far.If that difference is from NAFTI which is near by-45minutes away-,let us use it.
Above all,we should clearly define who needs this training,for how long and for what purpose?(Note that i accept TM'S proposal but we can still expand or streamline them)No amount of giving back by the diaspora to the entertainment industry,could beat this one if we see that it comes to reality.
Again,brilliant idea folks

[peculiar]

I honestly don't know what to say. If you guys knew what i had in mind when this thread was started, you will maybe understand how i am so overwhelmed by all these responses! This whole thing started from a mere li'l conversation o, and i just thought to open a thread and see if one or two people will contribute-look what it has become??

I am more than impressed! Thank you all for your lovely posts and comments. I am still taking them in small small, and sis TM is helping to populate a long "To do list" which we will be ticking off as we go. I have just copied and pasted ALL your ideas and suggestions to naija, where this thing started from originally (It was not my idea to begin with, trust me). I think the school might be registered soon but once the posts have been read, i believe a response will come and i can feed you all back so that we can take this a tad bit further. A lot of work is going on behind the scenes already, but i will have you guys know that all your inputs are valid and YES, in one way or the other, you are all going to be involved in this.

Please be a bit more patient with me and i will return with feedbacks and updates as soon as i am able to.


I really really appreciate you guys. I do! Thanks!

guys plenty!

[filmdirector]

Same concept initiated.

... As roving film school berths in Lagos

IN their first major announcement since launching their new company initiative Taradome Entertainment President and CEO, E. Kiszo Ugokwe, and Head of the Lagos Film Office, Makin Soyinka are unveiling ARFS' inaugural slate of film school workshops. The African roving Film School has partnered with the Workshop Group out of Rockport Maine, and a selection of Hollywood's professional award-winning film directors, actors, writers, producers, cinematographers and editors; who also teach in leading film schools such as UCLA, USC, Los Angeles Film School and New York Film Academy, to bring this workshop series to Nigeria. ARFS will deliver professional level, practical, hands on training with specific results. The roving school can set up in communities and respond flexibly to where the need is delivering the essence of film school, without boarders or walls.



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We founded the African Roving Film School," says Ugokwe "in the belief that right now there is a real need for a company like ours. The fact that we have attracted prominent Nollywood heavy weights and LA based filmmakers of such high quality and profile proves that the industry agrees." Kiszo adds, "I feel fortunate to be part of creating 1000 best in every discipline of filmmaking here in NoIIywood. More importantly, the incredibly smart, talented, and passionate aspiring and practicing filmmakers of Nigeria will have a home to expand and develop their craft; and it will be both an honour and pleasure to work with them."

ARFS plans to deliver a minimum of four film and media workshops the first year with a targeted goal of eight yearly. The workshops have been designed specifically to help the continuing development of the Nigerian film industry in order to compete and present Nigerian stories in the global marketplace. ARFS will provide entry-level training as wall as continued development and support for existing and established filmmakers.

The objective of the workshops is to deliver a unique one or two-week session of intense hands-on, total immersion into the art and craft of filmmaking.

To bridge the creative divide, inspiring professionals in the arts and crafts from Hollywood and other more established film industries, will travel to teach and mentor participant's dreams and career goals as well as provide international network opportunities. Students will also learn the latest technology and new, more effective methodology as they develop their personal aesthetic. The first set of the workshops is expected to run between August 10 and 23, 2008.

Prof. Gabrielle Kelly, USC, UCLA Extension, (and Fulbright Scholar in Media) will handle the workshop on Story Structure and Screenwriting scheduled to begin on August 18 through August 23.

Writer/director, Neil Green said: "We feel lucky that the formation of African Roving Film School coincided with the world's recognition of Nollywood as the industry to watch. While ARFS is a for profit organization, tuition has to be structured correctly for a developing country, where available income is scarce. Proper digital media and the craft of filmmaking training are expensive and unlikely to be covered by tuition alone. Through ARFS' high-visibility training projects, greater awareness for international partners and their support for the Nigerian film industry will be definitive in a global context. And thus far, they have responded with such unwavering commitment and emotion to our vision."

Roving film school berths in Lagos

[Burnell Roq]

Brilliant idea. I kind of had the same idea myself. Africa is busting with natural talent and it needs to be developed to its fullest potential. I do think however that the idea for a recruiting agency to go and find natural talent and beauty is the best way to go right now. Natural beauty and charisma goes a long way in the acting world. When you have that then it doesn’t take so much to develop a person into a descent actor, but of course the more training one has the better. But for right now I think we need to focus on finding the absolute best natural talent and beauty there is available, and I don’t think we’re doing that. I’d actually like to start such an acting recruitment agency when I get to Nigeria, and I’d like to create a cast of people around me to train and work with, much like Spike Lee does in America. Most of his movies feature many of the same actors because he’s worked with them and knows what they can do. I’d like to work with everybody, but I’d also like to help train a handful of actors, camera men, etc., to work with regularly.

But I love the performing arts idea. Such an idea could really help change the image that Amercian/European media/educational system has purposely created about Africa. Africans themselves need to show the world how beautiful and intelligent they really are.