CITIZENS COMPASS– FOR sponsorship of three months intensive training in film production, the graduating students of Ebony Life Creative Academy has applauded the Academy and Lagos State Government for the kind gesture.
They spoke with Citizens Compass shortly after their graduation which took place on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Ebony Life Place, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
120 students graduated in different categories of film production ranging from acting, editing, lighting, production and many more.
The trainees are the 7th set of the Academy and class of September 2022 in a certificate course.
The gesture was courtesy Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, through the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative in partnership with EbonyLife Creative Academy.
The students produced some movies as. part of prerequisite for graduation.
One of them, Dante Okere, who featured as the lead actor of a movie titled, Shikari, expressed gratitude to the Academy for bringing out the best in him. “I have learned a lot in my three months course at Ebonylife, the course has really helped me in decision making sharpened my delivery of lines.
“I feel accomplished for playing a Major Hamzat because Hamzat was quite a tough guy, always angry because of hatred for the Deviants.
“At a point, I was coached to be a totally different person and wear a different character entirely.
“That is not my real character but my coach and director advised me to drop this in place of Major Hamzat.
“it was difficult but I am happy for playing the role.”
An actress, Rhoda Inaju who played Asabe in a movie titled, Last Operation, said, “I spent the past three months studying and acting and this is exciting, enlightening and insightful because EbonyLife Creative Academy gave me the opportunity while learning from the best.
“I have been trained and certified, fully equipped with the knowledge of acting and ready to become a force to be reckoned with in the movie industry.
“Special thanks to EbonyLife Creative Academy for this life changing opportunity.”
Head of School, Drikus Volschenk said the training would not have been possible without the efforts of the state government.
Chidinma Emeziem-Nnorom, the creative producer of ‘Shikari’ said producing the film was quite challenging based on the fact that many producers shy away from fiction movies but being a product of the Academy is a step in the right direction.
She commended the Lagos state government and Chief Executive Officer, Ebonylife Place, Mo Abudu for the free training.
“The Nigerian filming industry is growing rapidly, hopefully, I will be one of the notable producers in Nigeria and in the diaspora in a couple of years.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mrs Bukola Agbaminoja said the state government is responsible for payment of tuition of the students with arrangement to access loan for movie production.
She added that the sum of N200 million loan has been disbursed for 48 artistes to enable them explore the creative world.
