Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has highlighted YouTube’s benefits and its limitations for Nollywood filmmakers.
The veteran actor stated that the streaming platform has helped the industry in several ways.
For example, he noted that filmmakers can post on the platform without their work being censored by the National Film and Video Sensors Board (NFVCB).
“It has come to help the industry. From the comfort of your home, you can make your money. Create content and put it on YouTube. In fact, YouTube rescued the industry from some ravaging wolves who were doubling as marketers.”
Kanayo O. Kanayo
He further highlighted a difficult period in the film industry when marketers wielded significant power, even suspending prominent actors such as Richard Mofe Damijo.
These marketers often prevented actors from marketing their films and imposed fines to scare them and maintain their control.
“The marketers you had then who also doubled as ex-producers never wanted an actor to become a marketer, so they placed a ban on anything that will make you come up to market your film. In fact, it was so bad that they imposed a fine of ₦500,000 or a levy that you have to pay ₦500,000 to be a marketer.”
Kanayo O. Kanayo
According to Kanayo, YouTube broke this barrier and gave room for filmmakers to express themselves.
However, his major concern about the platform is its quality and the authenticity of the films. He also emphasized that even with the platform’s freedom, it has its limitations in fully showcasing creative elements in filmmaking
“I’m one of those who feel that YouTube is not a realistic channel because it restricts you from showing what you can do in the technical area. Most of the films you watch, American films and so on, you will see how a bullet hit somebody and how it pierced, that’s creativity, that’s somebody sitting down and saying, ‘We’re going to crash this car.’ A lot of work will come into it.”
Kanayo O. Kanayo
Despite this limitation, Kanayo acknowledged the financial opportunity the platform offers.
“On the good news, it is giving opportunities to people to earn in dollars every month,” he said.
Angel Unigwe’s Team Breaks Silence, Releases a Statement
Chef Juliet Kings, the manager of Angel Unigwe, released a statement regarding false statements made by the Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Kanayo O. Kanayo, in an Instagram video on June 21, 2024.
In the statement, Kings expressed her disappointment with Kanayo’s video, as the veteran accused Unigwe of professional misconduct and stated he would disrupt future sets where she intends to work.
“It, therefore, came as a rude shock to learn of and, more importantly, watch and listen to the false, unfounded, and slanderous statements attributed to Mr. Kanayo in the video in question, calling into question our professional ethics and, more importantly, threatening the very safety and right to dignity of Miss Unigwe.
“These statements and threats, disseminated via video and social media platforms, are tantamount to an attempt at cyberbullying, they are entirely unfounded and have caused significant emotional distress to Angel and I.”
Chef Juliet Kings
The manager denied the accusations and provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the film project which took place between June 17 and June 19, 2024.
According to him, Unigwe participated in the project under clear and agreed terms with Kanayo.
“Despite our concerns about the feasibility of filming fifty-seven (57) scenes in three (3) days, we proceeded based on the assurances we received from Mr Kanayo O. Kanayo and his director, in person of Ndifreke Matthew, that the three days period will be sufficient for shooting and that the talent’s shooting time of 12 hours starting from 9 am to 9 pm is acceptable to them, moreso there will be no extension considering her prior engagement.”
Chef Juliet Kings
Unigwe’s manager also stated after working for an extra 45 to 50 minutes above the agreed hours, they left the location.
Kings noted that Kanayo’s action is a manifestation of gender-based oppression and called for professionalism from the actor.
“This situation highlights a broader issue of gender-based oppression, as we have been subjected to derogatory and defamatory remarks simply because we stood our ground and insisted on compliance with the terms of the agreement all parties had freely entered into.
“It is disheartening to see such behavior in an industry that should be built on mutual respect and professionalism and even more shocking from an individual who we hold in high esteem and is considered a veteran of the industry.”
Chef Juliet Kings
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