Paul Ubah Santos, is a filmmaker and director, in this interview, he shares his experience as a film maker and director, pin pointing what the industry needs to do especially in the area of insurance and investment. Chidera Eke reports
Excerpts
Why I chosen film making
Filmmaking has been something I had always wanted to do from my childhood. In fact, my background is in sound. I started doing sound in my younger days producing, mixing, mastering and design before advancing into filmmaking. Eventually, I had to go to study the technical part of it- cinematography, and am proud of it.
How has your journey been so far?
I have spent almost two decades in the film and entertainment industry, and have done a lot, especially from advertising to TV commercials to films and reality TV shows, documentaries, and many more. During my days in LG Karaoke, Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa, Malta Guinness Game, and Stanbic IBTC commercial, including the first Innoson TV ad, which I directed. In fact, the one they used for their Big Brother Campaign, MTN commercial, and GIo was done by myself. We also shot Fidelity bank commercial- the one they used for their shares campaign, not forgetting the shot we did for the first channels TV show known as ‘Fund it forward’ season one’. Soon, season two would be out.
How do you cope with personal life and work?
The entertainment space generally is very tasking and crazy and if you’re not careful, you’ll get yourself into some controversy. I can tell you, most people in the industry know my name but not my face and I like it that way. I always separate my work life and private life into one person but two different personalities
The economic situation and the its effect
One of the studies I did at the University of the West of England, was on economy and foreign investment. The financial state or the economic state of our nation is in a mess right now, and it plays a huge role towards hindering the growth of the filmmaking industry. On the other, inflation is so high that citizens now wallow in poverty, as cost of living is now unbearable. The reality on ground is that businesses are closing up, as they can’t sustain production again.
I can tell you that, there are areas that needs attention in the film industry, like insurance for stakeholders and practitioners, especially on health or Medicare. Do you know that big projects in the film industry doesn’t have insurance? The best they probably have is a doctor or a medical team on set that will only take care of small things like headaches, small cuts, running stomach but for major accident, like what happened to the late Junior Pope. Investors can only invest in areas where there are proper structures and organization.
About the benefits?
At least, there is the inflow of foreign views on our film production, like multi- choice, Amazon prime, Netflix, Disney with the Iwaju project. This is bringing cool cash and values. If one should value investment so far in the last five years, it could be estimated to be 28 million dollars for about 123 or 124 projects done. That’s an achievement.
Your thoughts on people who want to take this career path?
The film and entertainment industry is not for people who are looking to come and make money. If you must succeed in this profession, you must be Passionate, show commitment, and be ready to distinguish yourself, then, wealth will follow.
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