Ghanaian Movie Industry Will Crumble… Unless—Entertainment Producer Forewarns

Producer for Pink Fm's 2 Degrees Entertainment Show has disclosed that the future of the Ghanaian Movie Industry is in total peril as a result of poor movies being produced in the country.

Manuel King describes the movie industry as an avenue for testing the waters – where people with no or little knowledge in filmmaking emanate from nowhere, purposely to join the race and make money as other persons with the requisite skills are profiting.

According to the broadcast journalist, the saying “if you can not beat them, join them” makes a great sense of ordeal here, adding that people should not script, direct or produce movies albeit they may have the financial means.

He explained further that for the well branding of the industry when it comes to professionalism, people of enormous knowledge and requisite skills ought to be consulted for coaching or advisory before the shooting of a movie.

This he reiterated will help scriptwriters, directors or producers who are novices and are embarking on their maiden commercial shooting.

King, who is also a writer and an actor, spoke of the technical aspect of movies in Ghana; the picture quality of cameras used in shooting, quality of sound and lighting.

Most of all, he criticized the editing aspects as well as the time-periods within which movies are released.

“I don't hate any producer or production house, but when it comes to reality, in being honest, the movie industry has no good future; unless proper structures and screening measures are put in place. There are lots of good producers who have contributed to good movies but Kumawood has dominated the scene with the release of movies almost every week. What hurts most is the entire package – poor production from head to toe; script, production and directing.”

In response to Ghanaian actors and actresses obtaining awards, he declared it is undisputable some will win awards but what matters is their numbers. “Being recognized in your homeland is imperative but it takes more than just producing movies to receive recognition globally and in such context, the Shirley's, Raja's, Djansi's and other good filmmakers who value professionalism will continue to receive recognition in and outside the country.

“In United Kingdom and U.S.A. and some of the African countries, things are well structured with proper measures and it is of no surprise their movie industry is enormous in nature. You don't see the same faces all the time. New actors and actresses emerge everyday and they deliver very well too because they have been in the arts industry and have been taught as well.”

The industrious producer who is very versatile in journalism gave a word of advice to the entire movie industry and its higher ups to step up and be up to task in giving the public value for money.