Leila Djansi
American and Ghanaian filmmaker, Leila Afua Djansi has shared her opinion on making good quality movies to meet international standard.
In a Facebook post, she rubbished claims by several Ghanaian film makers that high budget is a priority in producing an international standard movies.
The award-winning movie director, said main the reason why movie makers are unable to produce standard movies is because of their attitudes.
According to her, without change of attitude, the Ghanaian film industry will lack behind.
“No passion without money. Give an African filmmaker 200million and first thing they’ll do is buy a car and change their wardrobe. Wear shades and sit behind the monitor and look forward to the red carpet.”
She also added that, exposure to technology and collaborating with expertise forms part of good production.
According to her, money plays just thirty percent (30%) role in good movie production.
Read her FULL post below.
No, my dear filmmakers in Ghana. The difference between your films and black Panther is NOT money.
Money is only maybe 30%.
It’s attitude towards the arts.
Exposure – technology, art and crafts is not part of our upbringing. Chew and pour is. We’re never invested. Social media has made it worse. Everything now is for facebook and blogs fame.
Ideas and execution – Ryan Coogler educated his art. He read comic books, attended comic con, explored his passion. He went to labs, workshops.
Attitude towards work – No passion without money. Give an african filmmaker 200million and first thing they’ll do is buy a car and change their wardrobe. Wear shades and sit behind the monitor and look forward to the red carpet. Come late to set, not read the script.
Ego. – Ryan Coogler is all about his craft. He cares not for attention or fame. He even rejected an academy membership. How many African filmmakers can say that about themselves? Reject academy membership?
Collaborators. – you can have all the money in this world and if you are not surrounded by the right people, you will pay them handsomely and they will still do shoddy work! I’m speaking from experience. Give them the healthiest budget, they will cut it in half, spend half on themselves, doctor the reciepts and give you bad work. Make sure everyone in your boat is rowing, not making holes that will sink your vessel.
Attention to the little things. – Why are you telling this story? Be true to the art and it will burn for you.
I’ve seen African filmmakers at film festivals and all they cared about were the parties and red carpet photos. Not the workshops, not the panels, not networking.
Money can only go so far.
Like Cotton Twines is the lowest budget film in my library. But it is also the title that took me further than my million dollar budgets. Yes, timing was right as well, but the material still had to be good enough. I’m sure the filmmakers behind Nakom can say the same.
Ryan Coogler did not start with Black Panther. He started with Sundance labs, where he horned his craft with Fruitvale Station, a timely story. He had good supporters and crew who did not make everything about money. When things got hard, they helped him up and he carried them along.
Material, Education, Timing, Collaborators, Action plan.
All these come before money. No one starts from the top.
Once again, we’re making everything about money. This is the trap that holds us back in every aspect.
Church, money
Politics, money
Hospital, money.
When will compassion and innovation be given a place?
