Writers: Abeg Help Nollywood!

What gives you the impression that we have many good screenwriters? 
The best we have is what you're seeing on screen, as far as I know.  See?

The fact that it pays the bills of many many people is what makes it an industry.

Believe me. I know for certain that we can do much better than the stuff we see, especially on African Magic! We have produced some stuff before, if only occasionally. If u consider the writers of the old Checkmate (that made RMD so popular), as well as the fact that Nigeria has produced some great novelists and storywriters in the past few decades, am sure we can come out with a grade A blockbuster.

Preferably not some "action" movie, though! 

Hey, I am a damn good writer if I may say so myself. and I have a couple of scripts that might "help" Nollywood, so somebody email me with a request.

Seun, the thing is there are indeed some very good writers here in Nigeria. However, few have been lucky to have their scripts produced while the majority have not been able to breakthrough. Do you know most marketers (or movie financieers) have their own writers, whom they hire to write their screenplays? Same goes with most producers. In fact what lots of aspiring screenwriters get when they give producers their scripts, is that, the producers read them, like some things about the stories, (though the storyline or screenplay might not be particularly fantastic); as they read along, their own idea begins to form. Then they tell you, its was nice, however they do not need that kind of story for now. Thats why people try to hide their scripts and maybe show you their Loglines or Synopsis, in case you're interested, beeforee sending you the full script or treatment.

They then hire their writers to write that kind of screenplay with slight modifications, and change the title (they could even lift the entire screenplay with slight modifications and change its title). Where are the copyright laws to protect screenwriters in such situations? Those that even get lucky to get their scripts purchased by producers or marketers, often get ridiculously low offers for their works.


Nollywood is an industry where practitioners do whatever they like and get away with it. You can't do that in Hollywood. 

That aside, Have you seen Nollywood film scripts and ever compared them with Hollywood scripts? There is a standard format for writing screenplays, and its taught in film schools worldwide. Most Nollywood scripts do not have these formats. Infact there is a special type of font used to write screenplays. When a script is in another font, you know such screeenwriter is 'wishywashy' in the global contest. However these days, more people are becoming better informed in that regard.

I think the problem is an industry thing. The producers themselves are quacks (most, not all). Most movies have no production documentation. Do they make use of preproduction forms, contract forms for cast and crew? They shortcomings are almost endless, however as the world's searchlight is beamed on Nollywood, the situation can only get better in the years to come.

It's more of a clique thing. At times, they'd rather have the money circulate within the clique (Know of the Idumota marketers?). At other times, quite a good number of producers are themselves writers, so they re-write it themselves. Those who can't go through the hassles rather lift the entire screeeenplay and maybe rearrange the scenes or just change the title only.

Writing for the screen goes beyond writing for the movies and tv soaps and drama series. You could be writing for lots of TV shows too. But that would bee more possible if you're working for a TV station of media independent company.

Some writers earn as much as 75k per episode [at least i know one writer, writing for an MNET sponsored Nigerian soap series (on Nollywood) bound to hit DSTV in the first quarteer of 2008. And you can imagine he's writing 65 episodes (running through a season: mondays through fridays for 13 weeks). Of course he has assistant writers too]. That however, doesn't come easily, and its not common.

For easy breakthrough into Nollywood however, learn the ropes of producing. Raise the funds and produce your own script. That's the way to earn recognition and respect in the industry. Depending on living by solely being a writer can be degrading, humiliating and frustrating.

thanks for that jideosik

Yeah, we need hardwork. Our scriptwriters need hardwork. Are you talking of continental awards or global awards for our scripts? To me, Nollywood is still young (15 years old), compared to a stable Bollywood and Hollywood that has produced American Presidents and Governors. Our movies are yet to be recognized at the Oscars, however we have had African actors and actresses in the recent past, win Oscar awards or at least been nominated.

Legislation and policies have to be lobbied for Nollywood, and the entire system has to be structured properly. It's a growing industry, and u can see, if the NFVCB's reforms on distribution can be adhered to, a better thriving system will be in place. Movies will be more succeessful etc. We need Movie villages (at least three in Nigeria; North, South-West and South-East). We need to have more websites and magazines on the professional Nigerian film and TV industry. We need to have sites like American Screeenwriters Association, Hollywod Reporter, Filmmaker Magazine just to mention a few. We need to organize local Screeenwriting competitions to improve the quality of our scripts and to encourage people to get involved.

We need to have agents, who act as intermediaries between screenwriters and producers. We need to have a functional website where scripts can be registered to ensure copyrights. We need to have entertainment lawyers (Nigerian Law School does not put much focus on Entertainment Law). We need to develop these areas. Nigeria has the population, it currently churns about 200 movies monthly, but how many are that successful? Current estimates indicate that Nollywood generates $286 million annually and is a high employer today in Nigeria (Membeers of AGN (actor's guild of nigeria) alone are over 5, 000). It enjoys vieewership of over 600 million people in Africa and millions more in African communities in the Diaspora. The potentials are there, the market is there, we are not there yet, but people need to start doing something in their own little ways to promote the industry.

Soon it will be no surprise when companies like Warner Bros, 20th CenturyFox, Universal Pictures and others set up distribution shops in Nigeria, as their African partners. We already have Nu-Metro, a South African distribution company, with stores in Lagos, Nairobi and Jo'burg. Its just a matter of time, folks. Need i say, we now have Nigeria's first film studio (Studio Tinapa).

Ookay sir.  Let's agree to disagree so we don't bore others.

Meanwhile, I am creating a sitcom.  That's an opportunity for any writer.

I just created one today.  This one.  You can create yours too.  Problem solved.

Solution: get some money from your uncle who is an Igbo trader and start a movie village.  Problem solved.

Gather some money together and start a screenwriting competition with a huge prize.  Problem solved.

Solution: Become a very good agent.   Problem solved.

Exactly.  All we need apart from hard work is to have some patience.  Good things need time to develop.
I've been trying to become a producer for a year or two, and i'll never give up.  Sooner or later, I'll get there.

@Xandria: I believe you, but you are not based in Nigeria: Nigerian producers won't be able to afford your services.

The cost of a 'low budget' script in the US is the cost of a movie in Nigeria.  It's the cost of living difference.  Won't work.