It’s over a week now since one of Cameroon’s
most gigantic telefilm projects began, at least for the phase of the production.
Shooting of My Successor (MS), a Premier Films production has been going on
unperturbed in Yaounde, Cameroon’s political capital.
Already, the My Successor crew has been to locations in neighbourhoods such
as Centre (Etoug-Ebe), Tam-Tam (Biyem-Assi), Biscuiterie (Biyem-Assi), Tongolo
and Quartier Générale (Ngoa-Ekelle). Unlike at internal locations, outdoor
shooting has not really known peace, for obvious reasons. Cameroonian onlookers
are hardly accustomed to a man carrying a tripod and a camera and another man trailing
him with a long teal on which a mic is attached. It is even more strange when
they find three or four people on a set repeating the same action as one other
man, looking into the lens of the camera, calls the shots, thus…action!!!!! They would habitually plant
themselves at the background to be spotted by the camera, even when they are
advised to pay little attention to what is happening. All the same, the MS crew
has been grappling with this and onlookers are gradually being tamed.
Meanwhile, there has been a generally positive appraisal to this first phase of
production, more than a week on. This reporter sampled some views after
yesterday’s shooting.
Asaba F, Penda
(Director): “Wonderful Time With Crew”
It’s been wonderful working with the crew of MS.
I have not had any major difficulty so far. The actors follow my instructions
correctly and perform well on set. They have been giving me just what I want.
The D.O.P has given me the shots and I hope that’s going to be the case for the
rest of the shooting exercise. The rest of the crew has assisted me quite much
and this is a clear indication that MS will be a great success. I’m
satisfied so far.
Buminang Elvis
(D.O.P): “My Camera is Healthy”
Everyone in the MS project has been very
active. The actors have given in their best. You know when you are on the
camera and have actors who perform brilliantly, you are more inspired and the
images become superb. I’m particularly pleased with my HDV camera which has been very healthy, giving me the best of
images. It’s been wonderful so far and I pray it continues like that.
Didi Lobe (Assistant
Director): “Everything is Intact”
We’ve not been sleeping since shooting of MS began.
We are doing everything to make it a worthwhile serial. That explains why each
day, as soon as we leave the shooting ground, I rush to the computer and do
pre-editing, call it rough cut. I’ve been doing that and it’s been going on
smoothly. The relationship with other members of the crew has been cordial and
exciting. We make the working environment less tense.
Onya Valentine
(Production Manager): “Satisfactory”
I must say as PM, I’ve had a great time with
actors, actresses and crew members, a week into shooting. The actors have been
particularly versatile and thrilling. The director, D.O.P and the rest of the
crew have equally been very hard working. We have even been more productive
than we expected. This has been very inspiring to me. I therefore ensure that
every problem is sorted out diligently. I’m satisfied.
Yengo Yvonne
(Actress): “Challenging but Thrilling”
Each scene I shoot has been challenging. But I
think I’ve performed thrillingly well, else, I would have been called to order.
My lines were properly delivered and I enjoyed the whole exercise. My co-actors
have equally been good. I’ve enjoyed interacting with them on set. It’s just
another lovely experience acting in MS.
Brian (Actor): “60%
Good”
My performance has been 60% good. I think I
could do better. But generally, it’s been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed my role. I’ve
also enjoyed getting into Police garments and saluting my boss each time he
instructs me. The MS crew has been a great one.
Bobo Leenox (Make-Up
Artist): “My Special Effects Playing the Tricks”
I’ve been ensuring that our actors and
actresses look handsome and beautiful on set since shooting kicked off. Perhaps
my special make-up and special effects are what have made the production a
professional one with regards to make-up. The crew will always make reference
to the special effect on pregnant woman and new-born baby…watch out for that
when MS
is released. I’ve not departed with my make-up box, it’s always by my side.
Marinus Fotabong
(Location Manager): “The sites are Appropriate”
We’ve succeeded to have the kinds of location
we needed for this production. We’ve used homes and offices of people who’ve
really been kind to us. We are satisfied with that.
Godwin Nganah
(Producer): “I’m Overwhelmed”
I’m overwhelmed with the professionalism
injected in this project so far. I’m now convinced that crew is a serious one,
ready to make MS a great serial. I have virtually nothing to reproach actors
and actresses of. Rather, everyone in their domain have been thrillingly good.
I must confess that I’ve been moved by a number of performances. Each time I’ve
been moved, I’ve had to motivate. For example, the actress doing Esther and
another had 5,000FCFA each from me as a way of showing my appreciation for
their great work. You would have also noticed that I’m regularly present on
location. This is to ensure that everything is in order. Also, there are a few
changes that that are done on location which the producer has to be aware of. I
also believe that my physical presence on location motivates members of the
crew. I’m a happy man this far and hope we will be able to ride on smoothly to
the end. I congratulate the boys and girls, they’re quite talented
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