Excitement as film academy berths in Abuja

Play Network Studios in collaboration with Native Media TV, recently, officially launched a digital film academy in Abuja.

With a physical office located in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, The Film Academy as it is called, is expected to provide the much-needed solutions to the challenges encountered by filmmakers in the country.

The Head of Production, Play Network Studios, Agozie Ugwu, informed that the academy is bringing on board, a plethora of paradigm shifts into the country’s film industry.

Noting that the Academy came after 16 months of tactical planning, strategising and in depth research, Agozie described the synergy between Play Network Studios and Native Media TV as iconic and that which is set to herald several introductions into the nation’s film industry and beyond.

“We have fully optimised a one stop hub for the movie industry in the country. The initiative is to ensure sustainable growth, development and equal opportunity for all industry practitioners; old and young, aspiring and veterans. We are finally here, and our excitement cannot be contained. Play Network Studios and Native Media TV are proud to unveil to you, our new joint venture — The Film Academy.

“The Film Academy is a one-stop shop for everything film and television in Africa. This is where Nollywood meets in-depth research and advanced technology.

“We are creating a hub where all stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry can engage, develop and harness individual skills by virtue of networking and merit alone. This project is determined to bring together, all stakeholders across the supply chain, from top to bottom.”

Agozie stated that the Academy App was optimised to serve as a one-stop hub for Nollywood and other African movie industries in such a way that all the practitioners will come under one platform.

According to him, the App provides for industry personnel, including Executive Producers, Scriptwriters, Producer, Location Directors, Actors, Lighting Designers, Sound Recorders, Sound Editors, Sound Scores and Costumiers. Others are Production Managers, Welfare, Gaffers, Script Supervisors as well as Director of Photographs to highlight personal profile for job prospects.

“Upon registration, the users will create their personnel profile where they can upload their resume and reels of their jobs.”

Speaking on other benefits to be derived from the digital academy, Agozie informed that the Application gives users access to necessary information, enables people to participate in virtual audition, provides platform for networking and crew hiring, provides internship opportunities as well as gives access to free master class.

“The app also makes provision for students to register and get opportunities to be selected for trainings or movie jobs either as cast or crew member.

“The opportunities inherent in this app is not what we can exhaust right. We therefore, enjoin all industry people and aspiring practitioners to join this noble idea of using digital technology to overcome career challenges in the movie industry.”

Agozie described Play Network Studios as one of the foremost production studios in Nigeria and Africa at large, which has made an array of laudable film projects that have served as pace setters for industry practitioners.

Beckoning operators in the film industry to join the academy, Agozie said he was already excited at the prospects it holds for practitioners. “Together, we will advance the foundation that has already been set, we will innovate and join forces, and we will build a Nollywood that will make us prouder than ever before”, he assured.

For the Chief Executive Officer, Play Network Studios, Charles Okpalaeke, both groups were determined to bring together, stakeholders across the supply chain, from top to bottom and build an industry that all will be proud of.

Rogers Ofime is the Chief Executive Officer, Native Media TV. The elated boss stated that the initiative would bring an entirely different narrative to the film industry.

“Native Media in its many years of operation has created memories and narratives most cherished and adored as to what a well-made film in Nigeria and Africa at large should be,” he said.