Nollywood actress and Chief Executive Officer of Jade Production, Clarion Chukwurah, has said that confusion reigns supreme in the movie industry.
The actress, who said she could no longer bear the plague that is ravaging the industry, has also advocated the introduction of the Nigerian Movie Workers’ Union and the Nigerian Movie Owners’ Union, to regulate the industry.
The actress decried the influx of Ghanaian actors and actresses into the Nigerian film industry.
According to her, the industry is faced with myriads of problems including poorly produced films, poorly paid practitioners, low budget, lack of product publicity and limited distribution channels.
“The Ghanaian movie industry union influenced market strategy has taken over Nigerian actors’ job in Nigeria by Ghanaian actors due to lack of a legislation,” she said, describing Actors and Directors Guild of Nigeria as not true representatives of all movie makers in Nigeria and that no single body could represent the workers and owners without creating constant conflict of interest.
“I have come forward with this call to unionise the Nigerian film industry which consists of players from Northern, Eastern and Western Nigeria, the Niger Delta and the Middle Belt.
“Based on my conviction and research, unionisation is the best way to adequately serve and protect the interest of all parties sustainable for posterity,” she added.
The actress also advocated for a movie workers’ union backed by legislation that will ensure that no non-union member works on any Nigerian film set. The union, according to her, will also ensure that only professionals work in the industry.