'You think we are unwise?' – LilWin defends viral set videos from ‘A Journey to Africa’ film

Ghanaian filmmaker and actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, has responded to criticism over the activities of bloggers invited to cover the production of his upcoming movie, “A Journey to Africa.” The bloggers have come under criticism for allegedly oversharing videos and pictures from the movie set in Nzulezu, with some social media users assuming that the content being shared forms part of the final scenes of the movie. Addressing the criticism, LilWin acknowledged that he had seen people insulting the bloggers on his movie set for recording the cast, particularly some of the Nigerian stars, and sharing the content online. “I have seen people insulting the bloggers on set and calling for all of them to be sacked. The bloggers here are official bloggers whom we have invited to follow Weezy Empire and cover all the activities of the brand,” he said. The actor questioned whether critics genuinely believed that an experienced production team would allow actual scenes from the movie to be recorded and published on social media before the project is completed. 'I can't sleep; I feel like I owe them' - LilWin on Nollywood stars' unpaid balance “If you see us, the elderly, on set, do you think we are unwise and do not know what we are doing? Do you think we would allow bloggers to record scenes from the movie and share them on social media? If we did that, what would be left for you to come and watch when the movie is ready?” LilWin asked. The filmmaker explained that the videos and pictures currently circulating online, particularly those being captured at Nzulezu where the movie is being filmed, should not automatically be considered scenes from the final movie. According to him, there are strict rules governing what bloggers can record on set, particularly when the cameras are rolling and actors are performing their actual scenes. “You are not part of the set; you are at home. Everything you are seeing online, do not assume that it is the movie. There are rules and regulations on set, and no phone cameras are allowed to capture the actual scenes being acted,” he clarified. He further explained that the pictures and videos being shared are not actual scenes from the movie but part of the promotional strategy intended to generate interest and anticipation ahead of its release. “The pictures and videos you are seeing do not mean that those images will be part of the final scenes of the movie. The important parts of the movie, you will not see. Everything you are seeing is part of a promotional strategy. The bloggers are only interviewing the cast and filming them as they pass by before or after a scene. They are not recording the actual movie scenes,” LilWin clarified. LilWin also questioned whether it would make financial sense for him and the production team to allow actual scenes from the movie to be freely recorded and distributed online, considering the amount of money being invested in the project. “When you consider all the expenses that go into making this movie, do you think we would simply allow the actual scenes to be put on social media?” he asked. Meanwhile, Nollywood veterans Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuruonye, Charles Awurum, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko are among the stars currently in Ghana to shoot LilWin’s “A Journey to Africa.” The production has generated considerable attention online, particularly because of the involvement of the Nigerian actors and the behind-the-scenes content being shared from the set. However, some critics have argued that the extensive social media coverage could ultimately affect public interest in the finished movie. Musician Fameye, among other critics, urged LilWin to ask the bloggers accompanying him on the set to stop sharing videos from the production online. Others have also invoked the concept of diminishing returns in analysing the volume of content being released from the set. Their argument is that continuously exposing behind-the-scenes footage, including content featuring the cast and activities around the production, could reduce the curiosity and anticipation surrounding the final movie. @akoto_trends #AKOTO_TRENDS ♬ original sound - AKOTO_TRENDS AK/EBSource: www.ghanaweb.com
« Previous | Next »