TIPTOPSTARS

Film stakeholders in Cameroon have gone to work. “Talking is over,” one of them said after a recycling workshop that took place in Yaounde last week. The workshop brought together actors, technicians, producers and aspiring actors. Aimed at drilling stakeholders in the various aspects of film production, the workshop also offered an opportunity for them to share experiences. The modules for training included; Management of People, Time and Resources in a Production (Chiatoh Collins), On Being an Actor in the Cameroonian Context (Yimbu Emmanuel), The Arts and Science of Film Editing (Musing Derick), The Role of a Film Director (Neba Lawrence), The Challenges Facing Young Producers in Cameroon (Agbor Steve) and Cameroon and International Cinema (Zigoto Tchaya Tchameni). Each of the speakers took time to throw more light on the topics, interacting with participants in the process. At the end of the exercise, everybody took home at least one thing. But a few things struck workshop participants.

• It is not the amount of money one has for a production that makes it succeed. It is how best that money, time and people in that project are well managed – Chiatoh Collins.
• Though the beginning may be difficult, it is important to endure, perform your role properly and be in good terms with producers and directors. They will soon start moving across hills and mountains just to get you feature in their movies. Then you’d enjoy your prestigious status as an actor – Yimbu Emmanuel.
• The best film is that which is properly edited, but quality must begin at the level of the director and D.O.P on the field – Musing Derick.
• The film director is a slave to the production. He must therefore listen to everyone, consider every problem, be respectful and humble – Neba Lawrence.
• For a producer to succeed, he must open up. In the process, he should work with specialists in the various areas of production who will not necessarily be his relatives or friends – Agbor Steve.
• There are five salient things in film: screenplay, screenplay, screenplay, screenplay and screenplay. Cameroon is endowed with beautiful people, with nice body texture good for world standard films. Even with the limited means, young Cameroonians in the domain are incredibly talented – Zigoto.

Evaluating the workshop, Yaounde co-ordinator of the Cameroon Film Industry (CFI), Yimbu Emmanuel gave a pass mark. To him, it was a great initiative and he was happy Yaounde benefited from such a move. Muma Pascal (BOB), co-ordinator of the Yaounde branch of the Actors’ Guild expressed positive feelings and described the workshop as a well conceived idea. On his part, Chiatoh Collins, CFI SG applauded the move which he described as timely. He said it was just the beginning of a series of trainings earmarked for 2009. Chiatoh disclosed that CFI was negotiating a similar training to be facilitated by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The SG said the Cameroon experience is unique in the world. He encouraged young actors and actresses to take such training seriously. “Before you know it, we would have made great strides,” he said. Participants were unanimous that the workshop was enriching. They are looking forward to having more of such trainings.