The Chairman, Ibadan Metropolitan College of Theatre Art and Cinematography (IMECTAC), Ibadan, Ayo Oluyemi has called for the intervention of the federal government on the Yoruba Movie genre by establishing a body, Film Makers Practitioners Council of Nigeria (FMPCN) through an act of parliament to set regulations and standard for film making in Nigeria.
Oluyemi also urged government to establish another body, Theatre Art Practitioner Council of Nigeria (TPCN) to regulate theatre art practice and business in Nigeria.
The versatile film maker and producer made the call in Ibadan, the state capital while speaking on the challenges and the setback which the Yoruba movie industry has suffered over the years.
According to him, lack of former training by some of the people who found their way into the industry through the back door caused the decline.
“In the olden days, artistes used to undergo training and tutelage to aquire knowledge on the job, For instance, Baba Wande spent 25 years under his leader, Oyin Adejobi theatre before he came on his own.
Many others including myself toed the same path before venturing into the industry, I had my training at St. Johns Grammar School before Ola Rotimi and Olu Akomolafe of University of Ile Ife now Obafemi Awolowo mentored me into the profession.
“One of the problems that plunged the Yoruba movie genre, otherwise Known as Association of Nigeria Theartre Art Practitioners, (ANTP) into serious crisis some years back was lack of regulations and standard. The body fell into the crisis due to some of these shortcomings, I am urging the federal government to establish a formidable body that will bring standard into the sector.
Oluyemi noted that the decline which rocked the Association of Nigeria Theatre Art Practitioners (ANTP) some years back was a result of influx of untrained set of people (artistes) who undermined the strength of the association.
He said: “the entrance door of the ANTP which was opened for dick and harry to come in without former training was the genesis of the problem of the association. That scenario paved way for the emmegence of TAMPAN, and not until government rise to do something in that regard, by establishing a movie body through act of parliament to achieve standard and regulations the problem may persist.”
“Government intervention in this regard will go a long way to put an end to the issues and address the influx of untrained people coming into the industry. Those who have interest in the profession should undergo training to have requisite knowledge before coming into the industry.”
“There should be Film Makers Practitioner Council of Nigeria duly registered by act of parliament in order to set standard, ethics and regulations for film making in Nigeria.”
The versatile thespian whose new movie, ‘Eketa Ore’ is currently trending and making waves on the internet and Yorubahood platform said there should be orderliness in the industry to restore it’s lost glory.
Speaking on his theater acedemy, IMECTAC, Ayo Oluyemi said the institution has fared well over the years adding that it has graduated over 200 students since inception.
He said the institution about 20 years ago was formerly being run as Oluyemi Center for Theater and Allied Acts, to identify talents, train, groom them and release them into the market for quality productivity.
He said the institution has been sustained through the concerted efforts of his wife, Dr. Olatunde Oluyemi who has contributed immensely to the progress of the school.
“The background of my wife as daughter of a pioneer movie thespian, Ishola Ogunsola has really helped in the running of the institution.
“Many of the students who graduated from IMECTAC are upcoming artistes, some of them are editors, cinematographers, and so on.
Oluyemi disclosed that the institution will resume new session in March ending adding that they run one or two years programme in Videography, Screenplay writing, cinematography, Acting for Stage and Film, Performing and others.
Two friends are better than three indeed! Iketa ore, a movie great movie with full of lessons.