Encomium
IT is very obvious that Nollywood producers and marketers recorded a great loss in 2013, due to the operations of pirates. In this exclusive interview with celebrated film producer, Teco Benson, on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, he opened up on the damages caused by pirates, plans to clip their wings and lots more. Also, he spoke on dooms caused by pirates to the industry.
How would you describe Nollywood in 2013?
I think we should say thank God because He really helped us. In terms of attracting government attention because, every other government did nothing, but this year they promised and fulfilled. We thank God, only that pirates are really disturbing us.
How would you describe the effect of pirates to the industry?
Piracy is like a cancer that has really affected the industry, that can ruin it if nothing is done in time. These people seem to have a cartel that is above the law. They have about 10 films or more in a single CD at a cheaper rate. And people are really buying because of the economic situation of the country.
How do you think these pirates get their copies?
They wait for the release, get hold of a copy and start burning it into copies. At times, they go for movie premiere or when a movie is nominated for an award, they get it and start the sales even faster than the original ones.
Isn’t there a body that has the statutory responsibility to fight piracy?
For now, there’s no strong official body against pirates. At least, we beg government to intervene so that there would be a law against them and those that are into it will see it as a crime.
What do you think Nigerians can do to be of help?
The only way they can help us is to shun pirated copies, if they don’t want the industry dead.
What are your plans to curb piracy?
As an individual, I don’t have any plan because it’s not what can be done alone. We need to speak in one voice so that we can be heard, not separating into ethnic segments, we should all speak as Nollywood because doing it alone is just like taking the law into one’s hand.
So, what advice do you have for producers and marketers of movies?
We should try to remain in one body, because we are getting divided already and that is not good for us. Nollywood should stop dressing half nude in movies, we can make real and interesting films without exposing ourselves. We shouldn’t copy others because we want to make movies.
So, pirates made this year a bad one for Nollywood?
Yes, you are very right.
NOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS SPEAK ON THE EVILS OF PIRACY
“Pirates really caused a great loss to the industry, because when you make a movie before you know it, it has been pirated.” – Chioma Okoye
“In fact, the world knows that we are really having a tough time with pirates. They have taken the greatest chunk. They are not helping the industry at all.” – Emma Isikaku
“Pirates have killed Nollywood in the process of selling ten films in just a CD. So, the film dies at birth.”
– Zik Zulu Okafor
“Pirates made us lose billions of naira. They put many films in one CD and at a very cheap price.”
– Chris Ekejimbe
“There was real financial loss this year. The trend is day by day and will ruin the industry totally if not properly checked. We really want government intervention because few weeks after producing, you can no longer gain from your sweat.” – Vivian Ejike
“Pirates made us record a huge loss. Producers and all others involved in the distribution are affected because soon after production, you would see it in a CD alongside 10 others for just N150. It’s not fair.” – Joke Silva
“In fact, I can’t really quantify the magnitude of what pirates made us lose in the year. Government should please intervene.” – Emem Isong
“Pirates really affected me in a lot of ways because even the films that have been released, the sponsors cannot get their money. It’s scary to sponsor movies. I have told my members that we shouldn’t campaign for any of them because we have been asking them to make piracy in Nigeria a punishable offence.” – Saidi Balogun
“Like I would always say, piracy kills creativity. When you know what you have to do to make a movie worthwhile you are scared of putting your money into it. It’s really discouraging because nobody wants to invest and lose out.” – Mercy Aigbe
“It’s not even this year alone. Generally, we are having problems with pirates because one can no longer enjoy what was produced some weeks after.” – Lancelot Imasuen
– TENIOLA BILIAMINU
