MOST OF THE SCREENWRITERS ARE NOT EDUCATED- ODUGBEMI
Nollywood screenwriters have been charged to get a formal training in screenwriting, regardless of their educational background. This appeal was made by Mr Femi Odugbemi, Founder/Executive Producer at ZURI 24 Media, Past President, Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) and a seasoned Filmmaker during the griot panel that was organised by the albantsho on Saturday, 2nd April, 2022.
The opening panel titled “screenwriting in Africa: stories, tools, and future forward innovations” featured other prominent stakeholders as panelists, such as; Dr. Samantha I. Iwowo, Yinka Ogun, and Funmi Odushola.
According to Odugbemi, ” Storytelling is about places, spaces and faces combined. Regardless of the involvement of technology, story is not meant to be seen, film and story are meant to be felt. It is when the person in the audience feels the story that we say the story succeeds . That is why the film story is not just derived from somebody’s imagination , research is also important.”
In his own submission, Yinka Ogun, the president of the Writers Guild of Nigeria canvassed for immersed participation of screenwriters in researching for film stories. He also seized the opportunity to encourage writers to join the Guild, as the body is willing and ready to assist its members in the area of capacity building.
