 Ace Ghallywood/Nollywood actor, Joseph Van Vicker has warned that the Movie Industry in Ghana faces possible extinction from what he called the monopoly being enjoyed by the selected few in the creative arts trade.
Van Vicker, who has starred in countless movies both home and abroad, told The Weekend Globe in an exclusive interview that the industry needs a lot more creative and passionate producers so that the country can compete favourably not only on the African continent but on the world stage as well.
Although the respected actor failed to give names of the individuals and production houses who, he claimed are enjoying monopoly in the industry, he expressed optimism that all was not lost.
The actor, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of his Sky Orange Production said, “I think we need to add to the number of producers we have in this country so that the business is not monopolized so that people can have a lot more choices”.
According to him, his production house would release at least five movies by the close of 2012. His latest movie ‘RAJ’ is already out on the market. Van Vicker, who directed and acted in the movie, said his next movie should be out by April.
“I don’t just want to add to the number of producers which is also great because like I said the more producers we have the more choices people have. I have invested a lot in equipment to help in my own way to raise the standard of the video and audio in the Ghana Movie Industry and come, Ghana Movie Awards in 2012, my company, Sky Orange would be a force to reckon with,” he said.
He also called for a healthy rivalry amongst members of the industry, saying “it is the only way the industry can thrive and match the likes of Nigeria and South Africa amongst others”.
He further called for more collaboration within the Ghanaian movie industry so as to produce quality movies rather than the substandard movies that are being churned out daily.
Van Vicker was however quick to add that “it is not compulsory” for producers to collaborate although he would welcome anyone with a great idea to help grow the industry.
He said, “collaboration in the industry is not a necessity; it is something we cannot do without but I do agree that we do need some collaboration… again I do not find anything wrong with competition because as long as it is healthy, it is fine. Collaboration does help in ways where it lowers the investor’s risk.
“It also adds to the number of credits you’d have under your belt as an individual because you may not necessarily be putting all your investment in one basket. You can do collaboration with Sky Orange, my company and then use the rest of your money to collaborate with somebody else. I as an individual believe and have wanted to do a lot of collaborations because I think in that way risk is lowered and you can have two moves done of one movies budget”. |
