Mr George Bosompim, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, producer and director, has urged Ghanaian filmmakers to explore digital film distribution channels beyond television and cinemas.
Speaking in an interview with GNA Entertainment, he noted that television should be the last distribution channel for film producers and creatives, as existing and emerging online channels could help them generate more revenue.
“Today, there are a lot of digital channels where you can put your work. I’m not even suggesting that people should put their productions on television. It is the last place you should take your film because they are not paying and they are not commissioning people to produce films.
“If they are not paying you, don’t put it there because you can always put it online and secure a digital distribution contract,” he stated.
He believes effective coordination among the state agencies and structures within the country’s creative space could help filmmakers and content producers earn more income.
“There should be insurance, there should be royalties, and there are a whole lot of things that we have to look at. So, it’s not just about making a film and, when it becomes a hit, making money within that short period and that being the end of it,” he stated.
Mr Bosompim commended the GH¢20 million fund for the creative arts sector, urging stakeholders responsible for the fund to be transparent and support quality productions capable of competing globally, including at the Oscars.
The UniMAC lecturer and member of the Oscars Committee urged local film producers to read the rules and regulations governing international film awards before submitting entries.
“Some of our people decide to finish the film before reading the regulations, or they do not read the regulations at all. It doesn’t work like that. We have to be intentional about these things in order to progress,” he noted.
He advised young filmmakers to learn from experts, collaborate on projects and avoid cutting corners in their quest to succeed.
“Some filmmakers now think they can train themselves, so they do not care about apprenticeship. To build your portfolio, you need to sit at the feet of people who have succeeded before, so you do not repeat their mistakes.
“Filmmakers and producers should also embrace collaboration. Somebody should handle pre-production, somebody should take care of the script, production and post-production. You cannot do it all alone,” he said.
Source: GNA
