Femi Branch, a popular Nollywood actor, has attributed the reasons
why soap operas produced locally are not creating waves like those
produced abroad to lack of professionalism and stability. He made the statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said: “Soap opera should be produced by people who have the skill
and know about the industry, not people that stumble into the industry
due to lack of job in the country.
“The different associations in the industry: Actors Guild of Nigeria,
Directors
Guild of Nigeria and Association of Movie Producers should be
involved in screening the casts according to their areas of
specialisation before production.
“Artistes who are not professionals should endeavour to acquire
training by going back to the University or relevant institutions to
acquire the relevant skill.’’
Branch however stated that soap operas produced locally should not be
completely written off, saying there was a time when qualitative soap
operas were produced in Nigeria.
He cited some of such soap operas to include “Cockcrow at Dawn” and “Ripples.”
He commended Theatre and Motion Picture Association of Nigeria for
scrutinising the industry and removing those who are not fit to be an
actor, director or producer.
