Over 80% of filmmakers in Ghana are people who did not learn the art of filmmaking from film school or what we call, had formal training.
The low quality of Ghanaian films has thus been attributed to the lack of formal training on the part of our filmmakers, spanning: scriptwriters, directors, light men, camera men, sound men, editors, etc.
In his quest to make sure that filmmakers in Ghana gets the requisite technical know-how in filmmaking, the current President of the Film Producers Association of Ghana, Mr. Steven Asare Hackman, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Film and Television Institute NAFTI, for the latter to offer short training workshops to members of FIPAG.
“I have been in the industry for a long time and therefore know the challenges of the industry. Lack of formal training in filmmaking is one of the bedeviling challenges. So when I got into office, I decided to get in touch with NAFTI so that they organize short certificate courses in any field of filmmaking – scripting, directing, editing, make up, lighting, cinematography, sound, etc.
“Luckily, I went to NAFTI and they had already designed a similar programme so we signed a memorandum of understanding to that effect. I am also looking at securing funds to hugely subsidize the training so that most of them will be motivated to partake in the training. The funds will be coming in very soon.”
Asked if his people (the untrained crew) would be interested in partaking in the training, Mr. Hackman revealed “Yes. I have spoken with a number of them and they are interested in coming on board. In fact, about 80% of them are ready to have formal training in filmmaking.”
Mr. Hackman also revealed that he has plans of taking Ghanaian filmmakers to international film festivals so that they can learn new ways of making films, branding, distributing and marketing of films, socialize and build network with other filmmakers as well as award deserving people in our movie industry.
Mr. Hackman made this known when he appeared on GH One TV’s entertainment programme ‘The Pundits’ hosted by George Quaye on Tuesday 28th January, 2014 with the Rector of NAFTI, Prof. Linus Abraham, to discuss the current state of Ghana’s film industry and its future prospects.
We hope members of the Film Crew Association of Ghana FICAG, FIPAG members and NAFTI collaborate well to make this training a success. Until then…MOTWUM!!