prof800:
what day and time does the program come up?

Mondays and Tuesdays, at 9:30p.m.

There is a new series on Africa Magic Showcase, Ch. 151, titled 'Calabash'. This is from the stables of The Nollywood factory, Directed and Produced by Obi Emelonye. Just watched three episodes of the series already. Potentially good.

Is anybody watching it, anyone?

Viktoh:
Proud YORUBA proud ISEYIN

Wa gbayi jare!

Not even a shot on target... CHE!!!

EXT. SOLDIER'S JUNCTION - DAY – DAWN
SUPERIMPOSE: 5:46am
A vigilante trudges down a lonely road: a tired old man with a Dane gun, charms, knife, etc. EVERY STEP GETS SLOWER...Slips on a rotten fruit! He trips! He...regains his balance. Sighs and hisses. Walks on.
He gets to a tree. Approaches it... Sits. Leans back on the tree. Sleeps...
A HUNTER'S WHISTLE. He stirs. Adjusts to a lying position. Resumes sleeping exercise...
A SHARPER WHISTLE! He leaps up and draws out knife. Looks around. No enemy... FF FR-R-RE-EEEE!!! Picks up gun and leather bag. Looks Alert. Makes a light run...
EXT. BODE'S UNCLE'S HOUSE - DAY - A MOMENT LATER
...And slows down in front of a two-story building. Looks up at building. Footsteps behind him. He turns.
ANOTHER VIGILANTE.
VIGILANTE #2
(in Yoruba)
What is going on?
VIGILANTE #1
(in Yoruba)
I have no idea. I heard the whistle, so I came running.
VIGILANTE #2
(in Yoruba)
Same here.
The now-familiar whistle RINGS OUT SHARPLY. It is from the top floor of the house. Three more vigilantes arrive. They all arm themselves. Vigilantes #1 & #2 look at each other. They all slowly walk into the house.
A MOMENT PASSES... A SCREAM FROM THE HOUSE!!!

adeyemik:
It is unbelievable how some people would come out here and defend the irresponsible and unproffessional blogging act of Linda Ikeji. The fact that the soldier express his honest opinion on his Twitter handle does not warrant Linda to invade and publish it on her blog.

Linda, should have posted the soldier message without his full photograph. Linda, if name your broda, se you go post hin Twitter messages knowing fully that Nigeria military high command are not favourably disposed to honest criticism, every honest criticism is taken as a mutiny and the punishment is death by firing squad after going through severe torture in the hand of his handlers.

Linda has gotten it wrong again.

I'd love to believe that such a tweet would've been retweeted by many handles/trended on the SN before Linda Ikeji posted it. Yes she was wrong. Putting up the picture as well puts such person at risk of a court martial. However... common sense is an important factor that human beings fail to apply on a daily basis. Linda would seek even the underground for news to post on her blog. The soldier in question lacked discretion to the last! So did Linda. Both parties were at fault. You do great injustice by being one-sided, instead of being objective!

Happy New Year, folks!

prof800:
Wow... how on earth did I miss this?
I'm so sorry.



...I really liked that you called this an "experiment".
I encourage you to write more and read more screenplays... It will help improve you writing skills.

Actually if this was going to be part of a feature like an excerpt or something, then I must say that it looks quite promising.

your post said "I would love to start working on the first draft before the end of this year." So how far have you gone. Also what software do you use in writing?

I downloaded Celtx online, and it has been of help since. It made my work pretty easier. As for this experiment, it was an excerpt of a script for a 'small feature' or a short film. The first draft of the project I talked about took a break, as I was occupied with other matters. I will resume next week, by His Grace.

Thamk you very much for your comments.

londoner:
If you stopped watching nollywood a few years ago, you will hardly recognise the indusry now.


I am soooooo impressed with the films I have watched of late. Even if they are not perfect.

I enjoyed......

The room, staring UC Okeje (major crush...lol) and Lilian Esoro. FANTASTIC FILM, unlike any nollywood film I have seen.

Apaye was good as was flower girl.

Murder at Palm Suites was good.



For comedy....Dumebi

You mean Secret Room?

You write very lovely shorts-very straightforward. Would have to agree though with the others. This may not be horror. Maybe thriller is the right genre for this. Would love to see your works on screen.

danjohn:
Fellow Nairalanders who watch nollywood,

I watched a Nigerian movie in secondary school that was very interesting but I cannot remember the name. It was produced or directed by Fred and Agatha Amata and it had Kate Henshaw in it.

It was about a young man named Sola who was a drug addict. One of the catchy lines in the movie was "Solasco, Igbo (weed) na childs play."

Please let me know if you know the name of this movie.

I think, the addict perhaps. Did the addict guy stab his mother?

Craze meet Craze!

On a more serious note though, I saw this moving through TV sections library, and I think the sky is the limit for you, sir.

P.S Your short stories seem to lean on Suspense/Thriller Genre. Am I correct?

sholay2011:

Tnx Oga Tony. I appreciate.

Craze meet Craze!

On a more serious note though, I saw this moving through TV sections library, and I think the sky is the limit for you, sir.

P.S Your short stories seem to lean on Suspense/Thriller Genre. Am I correct?

Diamond Ring
The Price
Daybreak
Oleku
Saworode
State of emergency pt 1!

There was a certain Yoruba movie where the younger wife of a man was a suspect in her husband's murder, can not remember. The late F.M. (Funmi Martins) was the wife. That was lovely!

Recent times... Aiye Kooto, a Yoruba movie.. which made me smile. Good story, good acting!

There are still good stories. They just need good scripting and good direction.

prof800:

There are New Nollywood movies that are better than the old 1998 era movies by far in terms of story and picture quality.

People are just too nostalgic and sentimentally biased.

While some refuse to wake up from their slumber.

If Nigerian movies get to Hollywood standard today, people will still bad-mouth and criticize.
But then don't some people bad mouth Hollywood too and Bollywood too?
They fail to see the good in things.

Your statement is a fallacy.!
It is just like saying for example, that a 'terminator 1' is better than an 'edge of tomorrow'. Only sentiments will let one reason in that angle.

Therefore, it is utterly absurd to say that storylines of the past beat that of the present era. Unless ofcourse you are watching 'alaba home videos'.

There is a new and better Nollywood that might not yet be world class but is steering on the right track to world class. And you don't get to see these films except in the Cinemas. The Nollywood movies on the street are 'alaba home videos' and are the lancers of the bad name of Nollywood.

MARD, Indian film is a classic, and is ever green but that don't mean that there are no better stories in today's Bollywood.

Same for IGODO, Saworoide, Nneka the snake girl, Arus-iyi, Domitila, Blood Money (Nigerian movies) and all the other ever greens. It don't mean that better stories have not been told. Maybe you don't just get to see them as alaba home videos occupy the market more whereas NEW NOLLYWOOD films are sold in theatres across the country.

You too make sense sir. But I think even the alaba movies can go a notch higher in production, storytelling and acting.

Is your Sunday based on a theme?

I am working on a story and I would love to start working on the first draft before the end of this year. I however drafted a short experiment and I need the opinions of all guys in the house, particularly the scriptwriters. Prof800, and Sholay2011 I am looking at you o. Abeg opinions pls. INT. CHURCH BUILDING- CHURCH AUDIORIUM-EVENING- WEDNEDAY.

A murmur goes on at the auditorium, like a swarm of bees conversing. It is a group of young people in an ‘act of prayer’. Some kneel, others stand as they pray. JAMES holds an open Bible in his hand, a louder voice than the others. He mutters, and then raises his voice. His actions subside. He pauses. And then-
JAMES
In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, we pray!

OTHERS
Amen!

JAMES
As we go, may the Lord go with us...

OTHERS
Amen!

JAMES
May he keep our feet from being dashed against the stone...

OTHERS
Amen!

JAMES
...And our eyes from tears...

OTHERS
Amen!

JAMES
May he protect our going-out and our coming-in...


OTHERS
Amen!

JAMES
From this time forth, and even forever more!

OTHERS
A-a-a-men!!!

The other members of the prayer meeting open their eyes.
JAMES
Let the living shout hallelujah!

OTHERS
Hallelujah!!!

The meeting ends; the people disperse. JAMES picks up his chair and places it along with others neatly arranged by the side.
JAMES
Please, do not forget to keep the House of God in order; please return your chairs to their positions.

Some members pick up their chairs, heading for the pack of chairs. Others take their leave. IREPODUN ALORE drops her chair by the rack. She approaches JAMES.
IREPODUN
Our dear Brother-In-Christ...

JAMES looks up from the little notebook he has in his hands and sees IREPODUN. He smiles weakly.
JAMES
Oh, sister! How are you doing?

IREPODUN
Pretty well, thank you. That was a good one there, I mean- the prayer meeting.

JAMES
Yeah, thank you.

IREPODUN
Right. Um, have you heard from Gbenga- How is he; you know, business-wise, health...

JAMES
Ok, please slow down, alright? I will tell him you asked after him, ok?

IREPODUN
Yeah, but you know, he hasn’t showed up in like 3 weeks or so, do you get my drift, and he is...

JAMES
What’s going on, Irepodun?

IREPODUN is taken aback.
IREPODUN
I don’t... I don’t get you...

JAMES
Irepo, you and I know that James has been very busy with work, being elevated and all, and he has to travel more often these days. He is always going to be scarce these days, and that is why I am in his place presiding over meetings as his deputy, or is there any good reason as to why you want to see him?



IREPODUN
I just wanted to ask after him... that’s all.
An uncomfortable moment between them. IREPODUN stares at her feet. JAMES inhales deeply, closing his eyes. He then exhales.
JAMES
I am sorry. Just tired, that’s all.

IREPODUN
It’s alright.

JAMES
I’ll tell Gbenga you asked after him.

IREPODUN
Never mind. Goodnight, James.

She leaves. JAMES remains standing, musing over something. He picks his Bible and makes to leave, then stops. Pulls out his phone and dials. Call connection is made.
GBENGA (O.S)
James...

JAMES
Young man, how are you doing?

GBENGA
We thank God.

JAMES
Gbenga... when are you coming home?

Silence.
JAMES
Hello?

GBENGA (O.S)
Look, James, I have had a long day, and I need some rest. How about you and I talk about this tomorrow...

JAMES walks towards the doors of the Church.
JAMES
...and we’ll keep ‘posting’ this conversation till Thy Kingdom Come? No way! What is going on, Gbenga? You have failed to make me understand what the issue is? Or...is it about Irepodun?

GBENGA (O.S)
(Concerned)
What did she say?

JAMES
Nothing. She merely asked after you... the third time in a week, not to mention the previous. And so has the Mr. Olopade, the Mummy of the Church, and the Pastor. I must tell you now that I am sick and tired of all these!

He gets to the doors and pulls them close...


EXT. CHURCH BUILDING- DAY- TUESDAY
...Locks the doors, and turns...to meet the PASTOR. He just arrived. JAMES is surprised to see him.
JAMES
I’ll call you back.

He hangs up. The PASTOR stares at him, smiling broadly.
PASTOR
James.
JAMES
Good evening, sir.

PASTOR
Evening. I presume the youth prayer meeting is still on every week?

JAMES
Yes, sir. We just concluded this week’s.

PASTOR
Good. You haven’t forgotten about the big event next week, I hope?

JAMES
Not at all, sir. We are getting prepared. Everything should’ve been sorted before Sunday, sir.

PASTOR
I have a question to ask you by the way.

JAMES
Alright, sir.

PASTOR
Two weeks ago, the youth meeting for the month was postponed. May I know why?

JAMES
I am sorry, sir. The day in question was the day we went to Sister Moyosore’s house to console her on the passing of her great-aunt.

PASTOR
Oh, right. Another question though. Your drama team was absent during the thanksgiving service last week. You are the head of the drama department. Why?

JAMES
I had to attend the regional meeting, concerning the convention coming up next month, sir.

PASTOR
That is no excuse, young man. There’s what we call ‘timing and balance’. You should create a space for a rehearsal, particularly when you know that you have such a meeting.

JAMES
I am sorry, sir.

PASTOR
It’s alright.

JAMES hands over the keys to the Pastor, who receives them. The former is leaving.
PASTOR
Oh, by the way...

JAMES looks back.
PASTOR
My younger brother visited me yesterday. I asked him about Gbenga’s training at Dikko and Sons. He told me that Gbenga had been on leave for 3 weeks. You lied to me, boy.

JAMES is tongue-tied, PASTOR’s smile fades.

JAMES
I...I...

PASTOR
Not to worry, we will all talk about this on Sunday... you, me and the church board. Goodnight.

PASTOR disappears into the Church. JAMES clutches his lesson notes, staring at the Church doors, looking afraid. He then kicks an empty can with fury, walking away.
JAMES
God!