In Accra when you talk of the
beehive of film activities, Opera Square smiles back at you. There is no doubt
concerning the fact that the foundation stone to the development and progress
of film came with the colonial masters.
Dr. Nkrumah winning independence
for Ghana put up and strengthens institution to see to the manufacturing,
promoting and distribution of films in Ghana.
A look at the plan today clearly reveals that if that plan had been
continued after the overthrown of Nkrumah no mistake will be made if Ghana of
today is called the Hollywood of Africa.
The structures stand today as one
pass through the city, from abandoned cinema houses, down to information
service departments and training institutions have all been left to crawl on
their knees.
In the song of Mike and the
Mechanics- Living Years part of the lyrics goes
“Every
generation
Blames
the one before
And all
of their frustrations”
Today we sit here to write
blaming the previous generation forgetting the negative we are contribution
today thereby exposing us to the blame of the next generation.
Ghana use to proud itself on the
fact that Nigeria learned from her film making. Presently there is little
denying in the fact, Nigeria has overtaken Ghana. The size of the Nigeria film
market gives it an upper hand over Ghana but that market is not entirely closed
to Ghanaian film maker. Ghana with our little film industry struggling to
breathe on it own, is again engaged in a practice that is gradually waning it
strength.
The production of part 3 and 4, 5
and 6 and on and on; of cause every Tom, Dick and Harry knows the practice is
done to recoup investment. The film stops right in the middle of the story and
one is told to God Be Glory, watch out for part 3 and 4. The practice has grown
in measure so every film this day ends with an expectation for a sequel.
THE EFFECT ON THE MARKET
No red flag is to be raised had
the film ended within a feature length and part 3 and 4 opens within the same
cast but new storyline. If enough tension and suspense had been created in part
1 and 2 the general reaction would be for people rushing for part 3 and 4.
A straw poll conducted by Ghana
Film Garage the film distribution affiliate shows skepticism on many Ghanaians
when buying Ghanaian films. They questioned, is it a complete film?
The unsuspecting customers buys
only to return asking for it continuation. If he is unable to get it or the sequel
is not out yet he goes wild. The cure to this sequel sickness has already been
discussed in a previous article. http://ghanafilmindustry.blogspot.com/2013/05/creativity-drought-hit-ghana-films.html
Some film producers are slowly
waking up to the phenomenon. In recent times films like JJ BA (2015) and HAPPY
DEATH DAY (2015) have on the DVD cover full movie, but the majority are still
slumbering in the world of sequel. Off I leave to shirk getting infected with
sequel slumber sickness.
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