I market only movies I bankroll - Afeezco Films bossBy Daily Independent
Published: April 25, 2006
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The practice of movie marketers financing productions is no big deal after all, rather what should generate discussion is proper casting and interesting gilt edge script as against run-of-the-mill stories that is presently prevalent in the industry; this is the contention of Afeez Salami, boss of Afeezco Films. He insists that what he feels is wrong is when marketers become producers rather than restricting themselves to being executive producers.
"I cannot be a marketer and producer at the same time. What I can only do is be the executive producer and sponsor movies. It amuses me when I see people who are marketers, producers, executive producers as well as presenters of programmes sponsored by their outfits.
As executive producer, I get a producer and tell him to go and do the casting and if it is okay, fine; but if not, I'd chip in contributions which I think will be very valid ones considering that I have put in about 15 years in the industry. Even at that, I can only suggest; I'm not known to impose artistes on directors or producers," he asserted.
Pressed further to expatiate, Afeez, who is fondly called Afeezco in movie circles, explained thus " Some producers and directors are known to play favoritism. Take for instance the character of a wealthy, underworld kingpin: for it to be true to life, the person should ordinarily be a brute. I don't want to name names here but there are certain actors that wouldn't fit such a role, and if such people are cast for it and it gets to my knowledge, I would suggest bringing in other people that I feel could do better," stressed Afeezco who told us he also write stories. He pointed to Amin, Epe and Ole as some of the movies he personally wrote.
Arguably one of the youngest Yoruba flicks marketers in the industry, the Ilorin, Kwara State born dude insisted in an interview with our correspondent that he subscribes to leaving casting to the producers but that where the producer fails to do justice to that, he could suggest better alternatives.
Asked if it was true that movie marketers do not put in as much effort into the films of producers or, those produced by artistes turn movie producers; compared to what they put into films they bankroll, Afeez who also runs a music label was evasive, preferring instead to justify his preference of restricting himself to financing and marketing of movies.
"I don't think that is true; but then I wouldn't know because I only market the movies that I am the executive producer of. Personally, I insist on knowing everything about any movie that I am investing in; by so doing, I am in the know of the story in order that I am certain the story is not a regular one, or common trend in the industry", he said.
Meanwhile, the movie producer has told us that his most memorable movie till date remains Omi Inu Posi. He also shed light on why some Fuji musicians release albums on different labels almost at the same time, saying that it is informed by the Fuji musicians' preference for instant cash.
According to him, this is so because "many labels want to deal with the musicians and the musicians want to cash in on the high demand for their music, and so, end up doing business with more than one of us at the same time".
Though our findings show that due to a kind of friendship that exists between the local label owners and the Fuji musicians, they tend to mix business with the personal relationship between them.
"You can't have a permanent or long-term contract with the musicians. It is not exigent, otherwise they would collect money from you and release album for those that bring fresh money to them. And when that happens, I can't quarrel with them because we have a relationship that goes beyond business," he concluded.