Dedicate time for research - Michelle Rice urges local filmmakers

A Year of Return Master Class has been organized for stakeholders in the movie industry with a call on them to research and know the interests of international distributors before submitting contents for consideration.

While responding to a concern that contents from Ghana are mostly not featured on international channels, Michelle Rice, President of TV One mentioned that every channel has got their respective requirements hence, it was prudent for producers to spend time researching these requirements so their works are not rejected.

She said: “The most successful people who are getting their project made actually do the research or actually talk to the place: ‘I want my project on TV One or BET or HBO….Actually, what do they want?’’’

“A lot of people are trying to sell me stuff that I don’t want… You did a project but I don’t want it… It is also about trying to sell something to someone that they want,” she further stated.

On her part, Hollywood actress AJ Johnson underscored the need for networking.

Organised by The Year of Return Office, Ghana Tourism Authority, and Creative Arts Council, ‘The Year of Return Master Class’ was held on Thursday at the Accra Tourists Information Centre.

The topic was ‘Master the Business of Showbiz, America and Ghana Creative Industries Collaboration’.



The two-hour event saw many film producers, scriptwriters, actors, actresses, directors and media personalities in attendance. Notable among them were Martha Ankomah, Michael Ola, Prince David Osei, Yvonne Nelson, Efia Odo, Andy Dosty, Gordon Nambo, Zynnel Zuh, Kojo Delong, Executives of Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) as well as Executives of the Creative Arts Council.

Prior to this, one had been held in Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi on Wednesday where industry stakeholders were engaged on among other things, the importance of consistency and networking.