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mulattoboy
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Hello, I'm half russian and half nigerian. I live in Canada at this moment but I would like to move to Nigeria to work as a cameraman or a director. I have a diploma in video production and worked on some student projects. My father lives in Abuja and I asked him to help me out, but I would like to get in touch with some people by myself. Could anyone tell me how can I reach some producers or studios. Also, how much cameraman gets paid in Naija? I also worked with lighting and video editing. I am also open for collaborations, so when I come to Nigeria this summer, I would be glad to meet some people and hopefully become partners with them. Thanks.
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Seun (m)
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Trust me, you won't be happy in Nigeria unless you:
(1) run your own business, or (2) work in a very big multinational company.
Cameramen don't get paid a lot; nothing like what you're used to in Canada, afaik.
The way Nigerian videos are shot, the cameraman is like a replaceable commodity.
However, if you run your own professional and reliable videography business, then
you can earn as much as you need to earn by getting lots and lots of clients.
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combrazor (m)
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first question i would ask you is: do you have your own equipment? because a good DOP who has his own equipment is his own business, and could very well do decently well in Nollywood.
i'm not sure exactly how much a cameraman or DOP gets paid (while there is a distinction between the two, Nollywood tends not to make one, so neither will I) i do know that if you are coming with your own camera and lights, depending on the type of hardware you're slinging, you could pull in around N30-40,000 per day for the use of your camera and lights, not including the fee for your expert operation of them.
and then on top of that you're an editor?
yeah, i think you could make it work, but as with anything else in Nigeria (well, anywhere in the WORLD, actually) a lot of it will depend on your networking skills and your sheer ability to hustle.
i hope your dad is really supportive of you, because there's a chance he will have to have to help you out for a while--financially, i mean--until you can really find your feet.
in any case, like Seun said, the independent videographer thing is something that can keep your cash flow going in between jobs. you just got to stay hustling. use every resource in your possession--hell, even use the fact that you are a mulatto (you know Nigerians tend to be very impressed by anything onyibo!)
problem is that i'm not sure exactly how you would get started--i'll try to get some contacts for you.
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mulattoboy
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Thanks for your answers. Its greatly appreciated. I'm coming to Nigeria for few reasons, and one of them is also to learn the culture and my other part is it is important for me. I will be brining some equipment. I plan on buying a cannon xl2. Right now cameras are not that expensive, so more and more people can afford it. Thats wasnt the case 20 years ago. Today, it becomes more affordable. I also been wondering why can't people in Nigeria make some movie like Tsotsi. This movie played around the world, even in Asia and got great responce. I think nigerian banks need to lend money to young and inspired producers and give them a chance to do something great. Also a movie can not be done in a week if you want to make a quality movie of course. So that needs to be changed, also if you pay your actors and the crew, you better be out there on the set and make sure that everything is perfect, if there was an error done, you better re film it again and again. Thats what its all about. Its not always pretty to film a same scene over and over agin, but thats what make diffrence between a good movie and a bad movie. Editing plays a vital role as well, and of course the script is probably the most important part of any movie. Everything is important in movie making process. I would appreciate any contact you can give me. Thanks again. P.s that oyinbo thing  I grew up in europe and canada, so I was always considered as a black person rather than white, so I caould never use it, and of course I only believe in personal achievments of one, there are plenty of broke ass whites in North America and Europe, and it wouldnt make sense to treat them any diffrent.lol However if it will help me get more jobs, then I gotta use it.lol |
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combrazor (m)
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I also been wondering why can't people in Nigeria make some movie like Tsotsi. This movie played around the world, even in Asia and got great responce. I think nigerian banks need to lend money to young and inspired producers and give them a chance to do something great. Also a movie can not be done in a week if you want to make a quality movie of course. So that needs to be changed, also if you pay your actors and the crew, you better be out there on the set and make sure that everything is perfect, if there was an error done, you better re film it again and again. Thats what its all about. Its not always pretty to film a same scene over and over agin, but thats what make diffrence between a good movie and a bad movie. ahhh, mulattoboy! if you intend to enter the Nigerian movie industry with this kind of mentality, i can assure you that you are in for a very difficult and extremely frustrating time! why are Nigerian movies not Tsotsi? well, for one thing, i can start by telling you that it is because Nigeria is not South Africa! the Nigerian movie industry has its own way of doing things, and it's not likely to change anytime in the near future. you either accept it for what it is and work with it, or you can do your own thing outside the system and do it however you want to. but in the name of God, i beg you: do not go to Nigeria and start trying to teach people about how they need to change! |
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powerofmap (m)
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WORD from da prof. I also been wondering why can't people in Nigeria make some movie like Tsotsi.
Again don't even try to tell them what to produce because both countries Movie Budget 're not the same. your Mullato go tooo give you work because naija mentality be say people wey from jand dey too much.Anyway Naija Movie Industry awaits your arrival.
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musbaunow (m)
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guy, when u hit town please let meet, my company will like to do some collabo with you on a freelance base relationship.
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Seun (m)
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What do you need a cameraman for? I thought we had lots of camera operators already, if not other things?
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CrozRode
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Hi there, am on the same boat with you Mulatoboy. I just came back fom Nigeria, thinking i could finda link to breakthrough in the film production business. But it seems to be hard. I have not lost the interest. I reside in UK. I shall be going back soon. Jimmy Cliff said Try, Try and Try. I will not relent in my effort to be a good asset to the nigerian film productions. Am into film editing/production graphic/web design. Anyway, if you are looking for guys to team up with kindly count me in. Thanks
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combrazor (m)
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CrozRode:
i think you and i need to talk.
email me at combrazor (at) yahoo dot com
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dominique (f)
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ahhh, mulattoboy! if you intend to enter the Nigerian movie industry with this kind of mentality, i can assure you that you are in for a very difficult and extremely frustrating time!
why are Nigerian movies not Tsotsi? well, for one thing, i can start by telling you that it is because Nigeria is not South Africa!
the Nigerian movie industry has its own way of doing things, and it's not likely to change anytime in the near future. you either accept it for what it is and work with it, or you can do your own thing outside the system and do it however you want to.
but in the name of God, i beg you: do not go to Nigeria and start trying to teach people about how they need to change!
well, totsi won an oscar and if we ever want our movies to get that kind of recognition, we need people who will do things a little differently with new ideas and concept, obviously the current state of nollywood will never get us anywhere . |
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mulattoboy
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@richyodilu
Thanks I'm curently talk to my father and will be in Nigeria this summer. I will contact you before my arrival.
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musbaunow (m)
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Seun , i need a freelance camera man not for any other thing but strictly business so if u have one, please recommend.
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