NEW, HOT AND SIZZLING 4-DIANE WILCOX

DIANE WILCOX

Diane Wilcox

What do you get when you cross an international catwalk model, a medical doctor, an intellectual, a writer an actor and a movie director? You get a youngwoman called Diane Wilcox. Like we say, if you are reading this right now and you have not heard of Diane Wilcox then make sure that you do not forget her name because she is definitely a womn to reckon with.
We have been featuring mostly actresses on these pages but like we promised we will fetch the talents from wherever they are and here we present Diane Wilcox, Nollywood movie director.

On the catwalk

From the famous Wilcox family of Rivers State, Diane went to the University of Portharcourt to  study medicine. she graduated with majors in Human Anatomy but that is as far as she walked down that noble part becuase another route beckoned as she headed off in the direction of the New York Film Academy to study Digital Film Making. In between all this, the tender looking, beautiful charmer was setting the catwalks of Paris, Milan and Lagos on fire as she indulged in her third passion, modelling. Asked what a Medical Doctor was doing directing films, the CEO and filmmaker at Diane Wilcox Productions said
"If you have a passion and a dream, you chase that dream. This is what I have a passion for and I am living my dream."
Diane is creator, editor and director of popular comedy tv drama series Center of Attraction, director of tv drama series My Tomorrow, Producer and Director of Travel Tv. is working on her first feature film "Geraldine" which is scheduled to go on location in September. This Director is going places.

NEW, HOT AND SIZZLING 3

KRYZTAL

KRYSTAL

Her name is Chinenye but she prefers to be simply called KRYZTAL. If you have not heard that name before, remember that you are hearing it for the first time here and I can gurantee you that you will not forget it in a hurry. KYRZTAL is set to take over both the music and the movie sectors. Did this beautiful utterly charming and ever smiling young lady drop from the blues?, not really. She has worked her way up from her early days, singing in her  church choir here in Lagos until she hit the levels of being in the Star Quest reality musical show and coming in at the second position with her group THE HARMONICS.

Those are her beginning credentials because Kryztal has pushed her game to another level entirely. She is looking at going through the stratospshere. This writer has had the priviledge of listening to KRYZTAL's yet to be released debut effort and can attest to the fact that it is way beyond what some of the new superstars have put out into the market. Her music is a cross between House, rock with elements of RB and a distinct danceable club, Nigerian sound and beat
But it is not only in the area of music that KRYZTAL has shown her awesome talents but also in Nollywood. Presently working on Johson Davidson's DAIRY OF A HOOD. Unconfirmed reports say she is scheduled to star opposite Nigeria's music leading light Dare Art Alade in a musical movie that will redefine music movies in these parts.

"I am immensely thrilled about the whole development. so many good things are happening at the same time. I thank God that my dreams are coming through but at the same time I can take pride in the fact that I have worked really hard to get to where I am in such a short time and I am willing to give it my best and go all the way."
Good words, well spoken. keep your eye on KRYZTAL as she begins to shine all over the place.

DEATH VISITS NOLLYWOOD AGAIN

Osita Iheme

NDUBUISI OKOH DIES

It looks like the Nigerian Movie Industry, Nollywood has been earmarked for visitations by the angel of death. One of Nollywood's topmost and foremost Director's Ndubuisi Okoh passed on this morning in his Aba, Abia State residence.
The amiable but reclusive director of such movies as IDENTITY, LOST KINGDOM, MYSTERIOUS
 and a myraid Nollywood movies gave up the ghost this morning. Details of his passing are still sketchy but from what we have been able to gather, Ndubuisi who held sway in the industry in the mid 90's and early 2000's suffered a massive stroke three years ago, an incident that stopped him from working since then, He had been recuperating until six months ago when he returned to directing.

Amayo Uzo Philips

Industry insiders are still shocked at the development. Owerri based Director Amayo Uzo Philips(AKI and Paw- Paw) said,
 " I am shocked to hear of his death. He has waded through his  worst times only to die now that he is bouncing back to work. As it stands this is the first time we are losing a Core Director and i can tell you that the Director's Guild of Nigeria has lost one of her best."

NEW HOT AND SIZZLING 2

Belinda Effah

    BELINDA EFFAH


Belinda Effah is beautiful. That word can be used for just about anybody these days but only a few people carry the true meaning of the word in their lives and their personalities. Belinda is one of such. The first time I met her was at the National Theater. The Guild of Producers were holding an event and a friend had finally coaxed me to come out from my social hibernation and attend.Sylvya Oluchy had brought her over and introduced her. She did not waste one minute as she took my hand and we became friends. i was struck by her humility and friendly disposition more than her beauty which is what a lot of people focus on first. All afternoon we talked about the industry and her ambitions. That meeting was not the first time I was seeing Belinda however. I'd seen her competing in the 2006 edition of THE NEXT MOVIE STAR where she put up a credible performance and came in 5th. This graduate of genetics and biotechnology moved on from there and became a television presenter with music channel SOUNDCITY and later LUNCHBREAK WITH BELINDA . Much as the television presentation job gained her a lot of recognition and exposure, her heart still lay on the silver screen. She made her come back in the soap TALES OF EVE and have gone ahead to star in more movies. she has just finished work on Uduak Oguamanam's.multi lingual (Ibibio/English) KOKOMA, a movie that was directed by Tom Robson, where she played opposite Ini Ikpe, Ekere Nkangha, and Ifeanyi Kalu. The movie is scheduled to be released in August by Emem Isong's Royal Arts Academy 

Belinda

 Belinda's journey has picked up steam and this rising star is one to watch

THESCRIPTFACTORY'S SHORT FILM SCREENWRITING COMPETITION

the organisers of the scriptfactory/generationnext short film writing competition have announced the extensions of entries for the competition. Reginald Ebere speaking said they have taken the step due to the volume of entries that are still coming even after the official closing date which had been set for the 15th of this month. The extension is up till the 30th of July. For those who have not submitted their scripts yet and are desirous of entering for the competition, they can still forward soft copies of their scripts and their details to thescriptfactory2006@yahoo.co.uk. a new date for teh announcement of results and teh giving out of the prices have not been announced yet.

THESCRIPTFACTORY

SCRIPTFACTORY'S SCRIPT SALES

The Scriptfactory Nigeria's foremost script company has opened a script sales arm. Speaking to the press the president of the outfit Reginald Ebere said that the arm was opened to help represent screen writers. "We get a lot of requests from writers looking for how to sell theIr scripts, and since we have a relationship with producers, we have decided to create a synergy between the two groups. what we plan to do is post a synopsis of these scripts on our blog pages and also pass same to all producers as the need arises and negotiate for the sales of these scripts on behalf of the writers. This effectively means that we are activating our script sales agency." 

So if you are a writer and you have scripts for sale consider sending them to thescriptfactory.   

IT'S KATES DAY

KATE HENSHAW

There is no picture of Kate Henshaw where she is not grinning. Her smile simply lights up every dark spot around her. It took us a lot of searching to find one of her pictures where she was wearing a straight face. In every situation she simply looks to be the happiest NOLLYWOOD STAR alive. It has taken almost two decades for Kate to come to this point in her life. Right now she is as refined as Gold. It has not always been smiles for the Iconic star. It takes hardwork and a lot of heat to refine gold and i know that kate has put in a lot of hardwork and has taken a lot of heat to become the glittering finished gem she has become.
The story of how I met her and how we worked together to launch our careers and produce the two success stories we both have, is one that she and i have told so many times. I do not need to go into that all over again. I just want to take out time to salute a woman touched by star dust, a woman who keeps smiling despite all that the world has thrown at her, a woman who keeps standing when others have slumped. an icon of Nollywood and a leading light to the generations behind. Dear Kate, this is saying Happy birthday and may your remaining years continually be filled with laughter and sunshine and yet more laughter. THE SCRIPTFACTORY wishes you the best.

NEW, HOT, AND SIZZLING

As I write and you read this, there are probably over ten thousand actors poised nd ready to pour into Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry. Most of them will not make it. It simply looks like Nollywood is a closed  industry as producers and directors keep recycling the same actors. If you do not know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody or you are not ready to dish out favors especially in the bedrooms of the powers that be, you might never even get a leg in. The only "easy route" into Nollywood is to find an uncle who has enough money to risk and shoot your own movie. that way you get to star and get noticed.
Now that is the story of the common folk but there is a different class, those that will always make it big whether the doors are closed or not. They thrive on raw talent, raw beauty absolute professionalism and trailer loads of intelligence and determination to succeed. We bring you a couple of them here here. some are very new, some are not so new, some have been around for quite a bit and are making a grand come back. but whatever they are, these are 2 of the female Nollywood stars of the future. And as time goes on in this series, we will keep unveiling others. Watch this space.

Naya Amobi

NAYA AMOBI


 A recent graduate of Theatre arts, ex-beauty queen Naya Amobi is set  to take over from the likes of Genevieve Nnaji. Young, vivacious and  shy in equal measure, Naya mixes beauty, intelligence and a  determination to succeed as an actress that is alomst unrivalled  amongst the new entrants in Nollywood.

 She has been around for a very short time but has achieved so much  within that period. Last year she joned the cast of Nigeria's most  popular day soap TINSEL, playing the role of "Nnenna". She is  gradually but quickly gannering a lot of attention. That attention has just  led her to starring in Chimamanda Adichie's HALF OF A YELLOW  SUN. The young princess from the Awka Royal Family, who had also  starred in the traditional block buster THE KING AND THE PRIEST  opposite sex symbol Yul Edochie has a lot of other projects lined up. it  is certainly going to be a busy half  year for Naya as she fully steps into  the lime light.

Sylvya Oluchy

                                                                                                                                                              SYLVYA  OLUCHY


There are a couple of truly naturally talented super actresses in Nollywood. Very few indeed that you can say were born to act. When you are calling the likes of Liz Benson, Genevieve Nnaji, Mercy Johnson, we honestly believe that Sylvya Oluchy's name should be added to that elite list. She has already proven the reason why she is in that list by snaring the Best Rising Star 2012 award at one of the recent Nollywood Movies Award held in Lagos. Before then however she had exhibited her mettle in the award winning soap ATALANTA and a couple of other movies. But her big break came when she starred opposite  Stella Damasus, and Omoni Oboli in the movie BENT ARROWS where she played the role of Idarra, In the movie, Idara, a young girl sent to live with her maternal uncle in Abuja, is brutally raped. When she became pregnant, she is forced to sleep with a doctor as payment for an abortion. Repeatedly abused by men, she becomes hardened and proceeds to use her sexuality to get the finer things of life.It was a role Sylvia delivered with aplomb. Right now she is set to play in the lead role in Reginald Ebere's next movie "OF HUSBAND'S AND WIVES" opposite new leading man OC Ukeje. One of the true new Divas in Nollywood, keep your eye on this one because you will yet see her for a long time to come.

AMBASSADOR OLUSOLA'S BURIAL CAUSES BAD BLOOD

Justus Esiri

TROUBLE IN THE VILLAGE
A few weeks ago Ambassador Olusola, the great culture icon, Nigeria's former ambassador to Ethopia, owner and curator of the Moniyan Ajibula arts gallery and most importantly producer of one of Nigeria's National emblems, television programme, Village headmaster which held the nation spell bound through the seventies and eighties passed on. Ordinarily it was supposed to be a time to celebrate the life of a man who had impacted so much on the National Psyche and cultural landscape however a lot of angst has been generated following the announcement of his burial arrangements, especially amongst the cast and crew of his television soap Village Headmaster.

Late Ambassador Olusola

From what transpired, the cast had been scheduled to perform during the Ambassador's obsequies and the former Director and producer of the soap Chief Tunde Oloyode who had incidentally been preparing to put the soap on the Big Screen and back on stage - a project that is likely going to be financed by the Lagos State Government- had called the Cast together to commence rehearsals. Unfortunately he was not going to be around since he had previously been scheduled to attend a lecture instituted to honor the name of his late daughter in the UK. Caught in a bind with nobody to direct the stage peformance, he had reached out to the Oloja of Village Headmaster Dejumo Lewis to help out. Dejumo refused to respond at first ignoring Chief Tunde Oloyode's phone calls and text messages. When Chief Oloyode pressed the issue, Dejumo we heard blew his top and accused Oloyode of taking him for granted and being presumptous by informing him late.

Dejumo Lewis

Chief Oloyode said "My daughters' annual lecture was instituted by her University two years ago when she passed on. My wife and I had already bought our tickets and assured the University we were going to be there before the Ambassador passed on. The arrangements for his burial were not announced by the family until Friday last week and immediately i found out i was not going to be able to handle the plans, i reached out to Dejumo and other members of cast. i don't see how that makes me presumptous. All i was trying to do was to honor the memory of a man who gave so much to us, to this country. I felt that he was the oldest perrsona nd the most experienced that i could hand things over to. If Dejumo did not want to be part of this all he would have done was to say i can' be part of it and we would have known what to do instead he shouted at me over the phone and accused me of disrespecting people who are older than me. But i take it all in good faith. it is painful though that cast of Village Headmaster might not be part of this whole burial arrangement of a national icon."
We will keep you posted as events unfold but from what we hear, other members of cast like Justus Esiri have stepped into the fray and are working towards calming frayed nerves and injured egos so that the show will hold.

KOBI RANA'S HOTEL BABYLON FOR NIGERIAN MARKET

He is just 26 years old but Ghanaian film maker and musician Kobi Rana seems to be already building a larger than life image in the African movie insdustry. A few years ago he came out with his debut effort, simple, romanctic-comedy, Kiss Me If You Can, a movie that was recieved with critical acclaim and one that firmly established delectable Martha Ankomah as an A-list star. This was quickly followed by another block buster, 2bad, then to Crazy. This Year the hardworking youngman who is known for choosing quirky themes and not being afraid of trying new talents and new models, Kobi has shot and premiered Hotel Babylon, a no holds barred, no clothes on thriller. In shooting the movie he ruffled a few Ghanain feathers when he looked beyond the plethora of Ghollywood leading men to cast Nigerian superstar Ramsey Noauh in the lead role. Now Kobi who has also shot the comedy Azonto Boys is set to push Hotel Babylon into the Nigerian video market and it looks as if marketing giants O'Gabby Innovations and Reginald Ebere's new online platform Gudugudu TV are the ones chosen to market the movie.
When we reached Kobi, this is what he said.
"I am careful about who i give my movies to market. i value my product and i believe that only the best should market them. O' Gabby marketed my first movie in Nigeria, KISS ME IF YOU CAN and Reginald is somebody i have always admired and looked up to. He is an innovator and is very concerned with quality. I hear that his new platform is ready to revolutionize the industry as we know it. So i will go with them. Right now we have just opened discussions. Nothing is cast in stone. I am excited at these new collaborations and developments. Lets see how it goes"

NOLLYWOOD BOILS: IROKOTV SUES AFRINOLLY

JASON NJOKU CEO IROKO PARTNERS

IROKO TV an on-line platform that streams Nollywood movies is headed to the courts. They are suing the new mobile app platform AFRINOLLY whose app was designed for users to watch Nollywood content on Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry devices following partnerships with Samsung, Nokia, Blackberry and MTN Nigeria, for copyright infringment
Before now IROKO PATNERS had formally requested  Afrinolly to remove all Iroko tv's copyrighted content from NollywoodLove a Youtube channel owned by IROKO PARTNERS  and other channels or face legal action.
From what we gathered, Afrinolly had complied "it appears that they refused to remove other links from the NollywoodLove channel and other channels belonging to iROKO Partners from its platform, including but not limited to movie clips and trailers."

CHIKE MADUEGBUNA CEO AFRINOLLY

This may not be bad in itself since iROKO Partners has granted over 100 syndication partners license to use its movies on their websites. But the issue is that Afrinolly has been promoting full length movies on radio and newspaper adverts and pre-loading its app on Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry devices following partnerships with Samsung, Nokia, Blackberry and MTN Nigeria.

What’s more?

Afrinolly is said to have been misrepresenting iROKO Partners with these partnerships, likely saying that it has a partnership arrangement with iROKO Partners and have signed contracts with them to distribute the movie content on its platform.

Meanwhile, the owner of Afrinolly, Chike Maduegbuna has not responded to my calls and text messages.

According to a letter dated July 3, 2012, signed by iROKO Partners legal counsel, Tope Lucas to Chike Maduegbuna and made available to TechLoy, the company said:

We would like to categorically state without any equivocation that we are not in, never was, and do not have any partnership arrangement with your platform/firm (AFRINOLLY). We have never at any time prior to now authorized or granted any rights to your firm/AFRINOLLY or your agent or representative(s) to deal with MTN Nigeria Communications Limited on our behalf.

This begs the question: How could MTN Nigeria, Samsung, and other Afrinolly partners have gone ahead with such a partnership without sighting any contract of agreement between Afrinolly and iROKO Partners for the rights to distribute full length movies?

Jason Njoku, CEO of iROKO Partners confirmed the lawsuit in a statement saying:

“In an industry that is rife with misrepresentation, piracy and copyright infringement, we are left with no option but to begin legal action against Afrinolly, who have been illegally building their business on our content.”

He further noted that his company spends millions of dollars legally buying and organizing Nigerian content and hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in combating piracy and ensuring movie producers are remunerated properly for their content.

“It is simply unacceptable for Afrinolly to steal their work and profit from it”, he added, “Afrinolly, since its inception, has never bother to even discuss with us or other content owners and has definitely not remunerated anyone to date.”

According to him, movie producers are now thinking that he (Jason) turned around and sold their rights to MTN Nigeria for $20 million. Literally, fucking them over.

“We have been approached by a number of Nollywood producers, who have expressed dismay that their movies are being exploited. As part of our commitment to the lifeblood of the industry, the producers, we see no other means than to seriously consider our options, look at how we can manage the damage done to our reputation and bring this extraordinary mass copyright infringement to a swift conclusion”, he stated.
Article reproduced with the kind permission of Techloy
http://techloy.com/2012/07/12/why-we-are-suing-afrinolly-jason-njoku/

MERCY JOHNSON AND QUEEN NWOKOYE BRAVE BOKO-HARAM. APPEAR IN FIRST TV SOAP

Mercy Johnson

CORNERSTONE - THE SOAP.


Others will not dare but recently married, delectable actress Mercy Johnson and her good friend Queen Nwokoye are a different breed. Maybe it is the lure of appearing in their very first Soap Opera's or most importantly it might just be because they are doing it for God. But in these dangerous times, Mercy and Queen are leaving husband and family to head into the war zone of Kaduna to shoot a soap, titled CORNERSTONE. Also on the train is Grandson of first generation politician and nationalist Herbert Macaulay, and returnee actor, Wale Macaulay and Senior actress of Nigeria (SAN), presenter of 700 Club Nigeria, Ethelle Ekpe Aderemi.

Queen Nwokoye

The soap which tells the story of a dysfunctional family in search of God is to be directed by Reginald Ebere. Mercy also scores a first in the as she plays the role of a medical doctor.something she has never played before. CORNERSTONE is to be run as a daily soap and will be aired on National television. It is Mercy and Queen Nwokoye's first day time soap as they take a step into television. It will be shot in Kaduna and environs. The producer said " Because of the fact that they are actresses and play diverse roles, people do not understand that these young women are Christians and have a passion for God. Mercy and Queen are active Christains and are very involved with the work we are doing in Church. We have a film and television arm which they are part of but their schedules had limited their participation up to this point but now they have decided to put aside every other thing and do this." So producers if you are looking for these two, you have to brave Boko Haram and go find them in Kaduna because that's where they would be for the next two weeks. And do not worry that anything will happen to them, God protects His own.


THE PAST CAME CALLING

Chioma Chkwuka Akpotha

Movie director, scion of the Amata movie dynasty and President of Classact UK, Ruke Amata has finally released his new movie THE PAST CAME CALLING. The movie is about a young Medical Student, Susan (Marie Kumba Gomez – the winner of Class Act UK 2011) who along with her sister, Maggie (Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha), arrives UK to study

Cynical about getting involved with white men, she finally falls in love with  Guy Dermot (Oliver Jolliffe), who was introduced to her by her sister’s boyfriend, Kachi (John Dumelo). They start a whirlwind romance that had all the trappings of a fairy tale until events of the past came calling.

The Past Came Calling is a story about the power of love over racial prejudice and long held beliefs.






                              THE PAST CAME CALLING 
                              MOVIE TRAILER








HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA DOMINIC

Rita Dominic

This is saying happy birthday to a friend of the house, my little sister, a-list actress, producer, and compere Rita Dominic. This is wishing you many more years of happiness and fulfilment. For the joy you have brought to the hearts of millions, for advancing our brand, Nollywood and for painting the name Nigeria across the world in Good light we say Happy Birthday Girl. God bless you.  

VANESSA NZEDIEGWU: READY TO TAKE MY PLACE

VANESSA NZEDIEGWU SET TO SHOOT FIFTY MILION NAIRA MOVIE


She has been around for quiet a while. She was on her way to becoming one of the best actresses coming out of Nollywood. Beautiful and gifted with a certain charm and flair she had Nollywood thoroughly enchanted, but without warning, Vanessa Nzediegwu stepped away from it all and people started asking what had happened. That question we will answer later.

Vanessa Nzediegwu

 Sexy, Sensational, Charming, Talented, all these terms, much as they have been used to describe who people think that this young woman is, what those who pen such words have left out are the words Focused, Hardworking and Determined. Those are the words that have brought this young woman to where she is now.  A few years ago when Vanessa decided to pursue her second love, painting. a lot of her friends thought she had made a mistake, but mistakes have never been part of her vocabulary as she proved everybody wrong when she held her first exhibition, backed by a group of artsts she had put together (ETA) an acroynm for Extremely Talented Artists.  The group has since then held three exhibitions  and have recorded huge successes in each.
Vanessa's journey however did not stop  at the successes of ETA because she headed off to the New York Film Academy where she studied  film directing. She is back in the country and has decided to stake her claim for a directing diadem in Nollywood. This ingenue is ready to take her place as she is about going on set to shoot her first movie. We are not allowed to tell you the name of the movie just yet but Vanessa has told us that it is a big budget thriller that would most likley star the presenter of Hollywood's PRANKED Ashton Kutcher a couple of other a-list Hollywood superstars and a sprinkling of Nollywood talent. The movie is to be shot on locations in Lagos and Delta State and the foreign crew are ready to go. The budget for the movie is in excess of fifty million naira and we will keep you posted as the production planning umfolds. and remember that you read it here first.

OKEY BAKASSI vs STELLA DAMASUS   

STELLA DAMASUS

OKEY BAKASSI

You can be sure that whatever you read here is authentic and that you would have heard it here first. Well then, this is a first. Come the last week of September Comedian turned politician or is it Politician turned Comedian Okechukwu Mcanthony Onyegbule otherwise known as Okey Bakassi will climb the stage to thrill audiences with Nollywood star actress Stella Damasus in a comedic stage play that has been penned by Reginald Ebere who will also direct it. The arrangements are still hush hush as we understand that both Okey and Reginald who are co-producing have not finalised discussions with Stella Damasus. Asked why they chose stage, Okey and Reginald who have Theatre and stage backgrounds said that  "we are simply exploring another dimension of our art. We have conquered the different arms of entertainment we have been involved in. Now we think we should try out new things" Okey said "Most people do not know and may not remember that Reginald used to be a stand up comedian. He used to host Comedy Tonight on AIT and we both  initiated Night of a Thousand Laughs which Opa Williams has successfuly turned into a continental brand. We have been friends for a long time so we have the same mind and we think this will be a huge success."  Talking about Stella Damasus Reginald said  "I have worked with Stella a couple of times before and she is a brilliant actress. she has a crazy sense of humor and has also had stage experience. we considered other actresses before settling on her and i think she will bring out the best in Okey Bakassi" 
We have been made to understand that the stage play is a two man play. The venue of the stage performance is also under wraps and from what we have gathered, the tickets will go on sale in late August. Follow this blog for more information

                                        THE LONDON SCREENWRITER'S FESTIVAL

26th, 27th and 28th October 2012
London School of Film, Media & Performance
Regent's College, London, UK

TUTORIAL

How to write a two-page screenplay
 In this short tutorial, you will learn how to write and format the four critical elements of a screenplay (Scene Heading, Action, Character, and Dialogue.) You’ll also learn how to save and send your script in Final Draft.

GET STARTED
So you’ve got this great idea for a movie. And you want to write a screenplay. Whether you’re writing a short two-page script for this contest or a full-length feature film, you must get your idea into the particular screenplay format that the entertainment industry requires.

A screenplay serves two purposes. It’s a story with a hero or heroine who must conquer adversity to achieve a goal. But a screenplay is also a blueprint. Your script contains directions and details that the cast and crew need to actually produce the movie.

No matter the length or genre, all screenplays look remarkably the same. They are written in the Courier 12-pt. font and usually equal one page for every minute of screen time. Scenes and action and dialogue are all written a standard way. If you don’t adhere to proper screenplay font and format, your writing looks amateurish and will probably be ignored.

You can certainly use a word-processing program to write a screenplay. But you run the risk that you will make formatting errors. And you may spend more time formatting your script than writing.

With Final Draft software, you can easily write a properly formatted screenplay with just the Tab and Enter/Return key. And with the free Final Draft demo, you can write a script up to 15 pages that can be saved, emailed, or printed for review. (The free demo is available at www.finaldraft.com.)

SCENE HEADINGS
Everything in a screenplay is organized into scenes, and every scene starts with a scene heading. A scene heading looks like this:

EXT.  SID'S  HOUSE - DAY

A scene heading starts 1.5 inches from the left margin of the page and is always in ALL CAPS.

There are three parts to a scene heading: INT/EXT, location, and time of day.

The first part tells you whether the camera is placed outside, or exterior, which is abbreviated EXT; or inside, which is INT, for interior scene.

Next is the location of the scene. This can be as specific as Billy’s Bedroom, or as broad as Wyoming. In the example above, it’s Sid’s House.

Last is time of day. It’s best to write only day or night. Specific times are generally not used, although you might use a general time of day, like sunrise or evening if that’s critical to making the scene work.

Anytime you start a new scene by changing location or time of day, you need to write a new scene heading.

ACTION LINES
Action is what keeps your story moving forward and your audience stuck to their seats. In most cases, an Action line is written immediately after the Scene Heading to describe what is happening. Here’s an example from the screenplay L.A. Confidential.

     EXT. POLICE HEADQUATERS - DAY

 

  Reporters scribble as as the chief speaks. Uniforms

    everywhere along with EXLEY and LOEW. Bus sits in the

    back

Action lines start 1.5 inches from the left margin and extend to 7.5 inches from the left. An action line is single spaced and a present-tense description of what the audience sees. If you are introducing a character for the first time, you may capitalize the character’s name in the action line. An action line never includes what a character is thinking. If the audience can’t see it, don’t write it. Keep your script lean and clean.

CHARACTER AND DIALOGUE
The dialogue your characters speak moves your screenplay forward while also revealing important information about your characters and story. Each character’s dialogue should be unique to that character. If one character sounds like another, rewrite the dialogue so each has a distinct voice. Rocky didn’t sound like Adrian. Your characters shouldn’t either.

The Character line is written directly above Dialogue. Here’s an example from the screenplay for You’ve Got Mail.

KATHLEEN

Hey, you forgot to pick up the

garbage last week and i got a

ticket. And you are late today... i

could have gotten another

After you finish writing Dialogue, you can continue the conversation by writing more Dialogue from a different Character. You may write a line of Action to keep the story moving forward. Or you may finish the scene and write a Scene Heading to start a brand-new scene.

While there are other elements to a screenplay you should learn, these four (Scene Heading, Action, Character, and Dialogue) are the primary elements in any script. You can start writing your script right now with just these four elements. To see all four in action, we’ve attached a one-page example at the end of this tutorial.

USING THE FINAL DRAFT DEMO
You can download a demo for Final Draft for Mac or Windows at www.finaldraft.com/demo. This demo is a fully-functioning version that allows you to save up to 15 pages of your script as a Final Draft file. You can easily email this file to another Final Draft user who can open it, read it, edit it, and even print it with no limitations.

After you download and install the demo, you will be asked to enter a customer number or continue as a guest. Click the continue button. You’ll see a blank page ready for writing.

Before you start though, read the tutorial file and browse the User’s Guide which is found in the Help area of the program. There is also a complete set of video tutorials on YouTube – search for FinalDraftInc.

EMAILING OR UPLOADING YOUR SCRIPT
At any time you can save your script as a Final Draft file in the accepted .fdx format. You can then email your script or upload it. As long as the recipient also has Final Draft, he or she can read it exactly as you’ve written it. Your script retains its formatting that the industry requires.

THIS TUTORIAL IS A FINAL DRAFT TUTORIAL FROM THE 50 KISSES COMPETITION

THE CAMEROONIANS ARE COMING

CAMEROONIAN WOMEN ARE COMING


There are a couple of Cameroonian women who are getting set to take over the entertainment industry in Africa and like i said in a previous post, most of them are friends. i have followed thier lives and their successes and though they have cut thier teeth either living in Nigeria or imbibing Nigeria's entreprenurial spirit they are putting what they have learnt to good effect. It is shocking how fast they have grown and are growing and if we are not careful they will come to thE fore quicker than we expected. I have brought you three of them here and i will like this to be a challenge to our women who have become so dependent on their men that they have forgotten that they can stand alone and make something of their lives.

SYL ANIM(fashion designer)


Ms Sylvie Anim of SYL ANIM designs is a one-woman fashion designer to reckon with. SYL ANIM designs is noted for its intricate handmade weave designs. And now SYL ANIM designs has us enamoured with its new Sandals Collection. The sandals are made with African print fabrics like woodine, Holland wax and Ankara wax . The high level of professionalism makes the sandals sexy, stylish and very comfortable. Their beautiful patterns make your feet look beautiful and attractive.  Bamenda born Syl Anim started her professional live here in Nigeria trying to force her way into Nollywood. she acted in a few Nigerian movies not snagging any major roles but while all that was going on Syl started working on her collection off her one room apartment in Yesufi Sanusi street Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere Lagos. While she was struggling to find her feet in Nolywood, Syl  entered for the Battle Of The Run Way competition in the United States where she came secon ad from there Syl has gone on from strenght to strength featuring in the 2011 African Fashion Week, New York. she has suddenly become one of the major African Fashion voices in the world. Syl Anim’s fashion is known for her bold colors and brilliant hand-embroidered designs. She has experimented with a sandal line, but more prominently is known for her runway fashion which is deeply inspired by her African roots. Her edgy designs and cultural chic fashions have wowed fans all over the world while we watch this budding designer gain more notoriety and grow into a powerhouse of African design

PANDITA NJOH ETA(Musician)
Among the special gifts God (whom she worships with no resentment) has blessed Pandita Njoh Eta with, that of a golden voice is the most outstanding. It is with this gift that she praises the Almighty, proof of which those who do not know the US-based Cameroonian gospel singer yet will discover when she releases a much-awaited maiden album early next year. “I’ve all along been interpreting songs done by other gospel artistes, but this time, I have decided to take a step ahead by sharing what God has given me with the rest of the world. This is the first time I’m actually going to be doing something on my own,” Pandita told TIPTOPSTARS on the line to Cincinnati, one of Ohio’s most populous and developed metropolises

According to the University of Cincinnati Pharmacy student, the album shall comprise several message-rich praise songs including Provision, Turning Around, Endless Praise, and Life Don Better. Pandita has thus been making regular trips to Maryland to honour studio recording assignments, working with Cameroonian-born sound maestro Walta Blackson in the process.

Featuring in Supernatural Change, the said album will be popular gospel music singer and entertainment promoter (Executive Producer of the up-coming Cameroon Entertainment Awards, CEA) Sister Maybelle Boma and Anitta Etta. “Achalle and a renowned Nigerian gospel singer whose name I shall only disclose at a designated moment will also be featuring in the album,” the up-and-coming gospel musician told us. Once the album is ready, the artiste herself will be home in Cameroon to introduce it to fellow countrymen and brethren, Pandita announced. Meantime in her base, she will undertake promotion trips to Maryland, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts and an intra-State tour of Ohio where she puts up. Prior to Supernatural Change, Pandita had shined with Life Don Better, a single which she has performed at several Christian and community events.

But, how did this interesting story of unfold? “I started singing in my childhood days when I led my Sunday School Choir. I was encouraged by an aunt of blessed memory who brought me up in the fear of God,” Pandita recounted. She continued: “I have since then been singing, but discovered a few years back that I was rather ministering to people, not just singing. I just realized that I love people, no matter where they come from. To express this love, I have to sing and make them happy all the time.”

When she sings, Pandita among other things encourages people who in one way or the other are in distress. “I bring hope to the hopeless,” she said. “Singing also dismisses despair when I find myself in such a situation and helps me appreciate the love of Christ and God’s goodness better,” Pandita also explained.

SANDHRA KIVEN FONDUFE (FILM MAKER)

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Two years ago when Sandrha told me she was giving up her law course to pursue a course in the pebble strewn path of the movies i thought she was absolutely insane. She was on the verge of flying into Enugu the capital of Enugu state from Cameroon to shoot a movie with me. I was afraid that she was going to make a major mistake. There were too many broken dreams along the path to success in Nollywood and i did not want to carry her disappointments on my conscience so i discouraged her from coming. but Ms Kiven is not one to be scared by challenges. She went ahead and struck out on a journey that has led her through the Los Angeles Campus of the New York Film academy and has led her to proudcing and acting in her own movie, Yefon is the story of  a smart and beautiful African girl with a passionate heart and big dreams of a better future; dangerous dreams for a woman in a village governed by a traditional male regime that sees women as the inferior gender. In this darkness, Yefon sees a bright light, Nancy, an American woman escaping from a traumatic past. In her, Yefon finds a friend, but everything goes south when Yefon is framed and sentenced to death, now Nancy must do everything to save her friend's life.

Her drive and passion is set to inspire a generation of Cameroonian movie makers especially the women who are knocking on the doors of Nollywood and beyond. Raise your hands Cameronian women and take a bow. This is for you.

A WRITER'S HEART

A WRITER'S HEART

Nnenna Chikendu Okafor

A writer's heart is deep, soft, tender and fragile. If it is not moulded this way he cannot create those moments of empathy that draws a reader into a piece, keeps him there for as long as possible and finally tosses him out, either ragged with emotions and unfulfilled desires or curled up on the couch dreaming of places far and wide.I can safely say that there is no better moment in life than that moment when you are lying under a duvet on the living room sofa, soft Christmas chimes in the background, lazy snow flakes drifting by the window and a good book in your hands. It is an absolute divine love affair. It rivals only the moment when you have just met the girl you know you would love all your life and both of you are lying side by side on the grass at night staring at the stars, wondering how your lives would pan out.

Nnenna

The way my life has panned out, i have not had too many of those sofa-duvet-snowflake-good book moments but i have had quite a few side by side-grass moments. I remember one of those moments way back in time. It wasn't exactly a grass moment, it was more or less a park bench moment on my campus. University of Jos. I was a third year theatre arts undergraduate. It was a dry cold evening, the type that only Jos is capable of  bringing. I was with a tender eyed, pouty goddess and i couldn't have been happier. I had known her half of her life it seemed. Their house in Aba was directly opposite my father's. I used to peek at her from the upstairs window as she went by to the market, plotting how i would at least get her to notice i even existed. I had dreamed for so long about having her in my arms and then finally the gods literarily dropped her into my laps when she gained admission into the University of Jos to study no less a course than the same I was stydying-theatre arts. I was already one of the major stars of the department and she didn't stand a chance against what i used to think were my boyish charms and "stardom". But beyond the thrill of getting the girl which every boy worth his father's blood enjoys at least once in his life there was something different about this girl who had her arms wrapped around me on that cold park bench. It wasn't just the warmth she radiated nor her ready laughter or the fact that she was a beautiful vision with eyes that melted my soul but maybe because of the fact that she made me want to be a man, protect her, provide for her and lock her away safe from the vagaries of existence. For the first time in my life i understood that age old cliche "i can take the stars out of the sky for you" I loved her with my heart and my soul and i thought i would spend all my life with her. But we were young, we were inexperienced, naive about the fiobles of life and of course time like the writer it is, put a twist in the tale and left us angrily throwing off the duvet and stomping over to the window to watch those gentle, lazy snowflakes turn into angry hail stones.
The years have passed and we had both met other people and gotten married. we now live a world away and worlds apart, she in England with her beautiful kids, me in Nigeria with my awesome family but one thing a book lives you are memories and well, memories are meant to be remembered. So last night we remembered those moments on the park benches of Students Village in University of Jos and the rowdy noisy streets of Aba where our love blossomed and like a good book we felt like going back to that sofa to read it all over again. Nnenna, i thank God for giving me the opportunity to have loved you no matter how short that opportunity was. May God keep you and yours and give you the life you truly deserve.

Now don't ask me why i have posted this, this Sunday morning. This blog is a writer's blog and well it is Sunday. I didn't want to be too stiff and academic today and since it is my blog, i have the right to post what i feel like writing and this is what i want to write about today. This is my heart, a writers heart.


FOR THE JOY OF NKWOBI

Plates of Nkwobi

"Nkwobi is a classic and very popular delicacy originating from the South-Eastern region in Nigeria. Made with cowleg cooked and smothered in thick sauce, it is one of the many culinary delights to be derived from Igbo origins.
 More of an appetizer and served on its own, Nkwobi has become a favourite part of the menu when eating out in “traditional” restaurants both home and beyond. Not to be confused with the equally popular isi-ewu (goat head), Nkwobi is a simple yet tasty dish with a tempting flavour which will keep you asking for more!"

Emeka Ossai

That is  how SpiceBaby described it, Nkwobi, the culinary delicacy that seemed to have come from nowhere and taken over the hearts of every Igboman and people from different parts of the world too. Now I am an igbo man and i enjoy the food of my people but i have never been one for delicacies like Nkwobi and Isiewu until last night when I became a convert. Now what made me a convert was not necessarily the taste of the food nor was it the "goat eye" that stared at me accusingly from the plate saying "you are not going to eat me are you?"  Writing this now it just hit me that my people are a strong breed indeed.. I mean only the Igbo's have the ability to eat something that is staring at them. it gives you goose bumps right? Well to what made me a convert.

Zakky Adze

I'd been ensconsed in Johnson Davidson's ultra comfortable off ice all week working on the final script drafts of his new soap DIARY OF THE HOOD. Now the "mean little bast..d" had hijacked me from my office and refused to allow me go home until i finished his job, which i'd left hanging all month. Knowing he had pushed me a little too far he finally decided to take me out Saturday night. Actor, television producer and new father Emeka Ossai came around to pick us up from the office and they took me somewhere in Ebuttemeta. With us were too of our friends, Singer Cherryl and her sister Ijeoma. Now like they say we are all celebrities and their are certain places you should not be seen at night if you are a celebrity. I felt that Ebutemeta was one of those places especially if you are driving around in the kind of cars we were. But my colleagues did not seem to have a care in the world.

Reginald Ebere

We arrived at an innocous compound and walked through a narrow alley that led in between a couple of houses. Some people who recognized us greeted us warmly and we finally walked into a clearing at the back of the house and the fun began. We helped arrange and clean the seats and the tables. Moments later, torch bearing musician Zakky Adze, without his torches walked in with a friend. Our host Barrister Godson Nwosu  and his wife started pulling out bottles of wine and plates of Isiewu. while that was going on, a couple of friends from DSTV also walked in followed by another who had just come from Ireland.

Daddy Showkey, a friend and Johnson Davidson

It was at this point that the conversation really went cerebral. A sudden argument exploded concerning the bribery scandal between Otedola and Lawan. From there it swung to Nollywood and the progress the movie Industry had made over the years.
It was all stimulating conversation in an ambience of conviviality and friendship without the pressure of putting on airs and trying to impress some Journalists totting cameras and trying to see our flaws. And by the time the night was over i'd eaten three plates of Nkwobi and had officially been inducted into the Nkwobi hall of fame. Now the hosting rights will fall on me on the 21st of August, my birthday. If you happen to be around on that day and you can brave the fear inspiring neighborhood of Ebutemeta join us at the Nkwobi headquarters let's scare the living daylights out of some goats.

JOHNSON DAVIDSON BECOMES TELEVISION PRODUCER

DAIRY OF THE HOOD STARTS SHOOT

Lennox Lewis and Johnson Davidson

Ace music producer, studio owner, voice over guru and superstar actress Lillian Bach's ex boyfriend Johnson Davidson has decided to extend his brand by jumping into the murky waters of television production. The voice and the music maker behind several commercials in the country and brother of action hero superstar George Davidson(Dangerous Men) in a well articulated plan has already expanded his music production studio, located in Eric Moore Close Surulere into a movie making concern with new state of the art equipment to accomodate his production facility. Presently Johnson Davidson who collaborated with Lillian Bach to produce a yet to be released Bollywood/Nollywood flick in India is ready to go on set again to lense a special television series with the working title "DAIRY OF A HOOD"
The series which will be directed by unassuming and multi talented Nollywood Director Reginald Ebere is a story about the lives of many residents of a middle class estate located in Lagos Nigeria, called Jankara Estate

George Davidson in Dangerous Men

In talking with us Johnson Davidson said "...the lives of the residents of the estate is a metaphor and a reflection of the larger Nigerian society. what we want to do is to explore the relationships of a particular group of people who are affected and affect those around them. the intrigues, the fights and quarrels, the love, the betrayals, the corruption, the crime and bigotry x-rays who we are as a people." There are rumors that major Nollywood and music supertars like Sam Okposo, P Square, Sunny Nneji will feature in the soap.

Reginld Ebere(Dre)

On why he chose Reginald Ebere to direct the series amongst a plethora of directors who were considered for the job Johnson said "I have worked with Dre before. he is one of the best writers in the industry and also in the top bracket of directors. but most importantly, he is a visionaire and has the calmest head i know in Nollywood. amongst all the directors he is also ahead of everybody else in understanding new technology and how to deploy it."

The series is expected  to commence shoot in the next few weeks.


                            
YEFON  the movie
Emergent Camroonian movie maker Sandra Kiven Fondufe has concluded shoot on her first feature film YEFON the movie is about the journey of an African woman fighting against traditional laws that have held Cameroonian women down for generations. It's a movie of love, hope, treason and friendship. A film where two friends from opposite worlds fight against all odds to change their lives, and in doing so , they change the world around them. Sahndra who is a Cameroonian actress, an Alumni of the New York Fim Academy and currently resides in LA wrote and co produced the movie.Sahndra befoe now has earned credits in the movie Lost in Abroad. The film which has Nigerian superstar Uti Nwachukwu is scheduled for release in Autumn 2013 by African Pictures International, INC.


CORNERSTONE. THE SOAP

Reginald Ebere (Dre)

Still on Ace Nollywood director Reginald Ebere, it looks like the busy movie maker who only recently gave up his position as Head of Production and Channel Manager on the Infinity Television Station is set to return to location to conclude shoot on the soap Corner Stone. the soap which is an experimental project from the stables of CFI pictures started shoot almost two years ago but was suspended due to quality control proplems. " We did not like the quality of the first thirteen episodes we shot. Almost everybody who worked on the project was a new person in the industry so they did not fully understand what we wanted to do so we had to suspend shoot for a while to get things right. now that a couple of them have gained a little experience i feel it is time for us to continue shoot. hopefully this time i think they can all understand our processes and our style. Much as i ama firm believer in new talent, we still have to maintain and better the quality of teh work we are doing every time we go on set which was the major reason why we called off shoot in the first place." From what we have gathered, cast and crew have been called back into camp in Asaba Delta State and shoot will commence next week.


WHO IS A FILMMAKER IN NOLLYWOOD?

Emile Garuba

by Emil B. Garuba on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 9:09am ·

NOLLYWOOD SCREENWRITER OR FILMMAKER?
I wrote this in reponse to something I read on this blog "NOLLYWOOD'S BEST SCREENWRITERS".

Nice article. Good interviews. But I thought it focused mostly on people who write, direct, and produce their OWN films. What about the screenwriter whose job is to write the script? To forge the building blocks of the movie itself?
I figure the article should be retiltled "NOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS I ADMIRE" and here's why: No one is just a screenwriter in Nollywood! No, we like to do it all (write, direct, produce, act, sing, edit, distribute, etc.) just like the neighborhood electrician is also the carpenter, plumber, mechanic, and recharge card vendor! Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there are those that are called in for the sole purpose of developing the script based on their expertise and years of experience learning and perfecting the craft of screenwriting that no one else can duplicate 100%. These are the screenwriters.
Yes, we'd all like to be categorized as filmmakers (screenwriters direct too in a sense because the script serves as a guide to the director, editor, sound guy, etc.) but we don't get celebrated as much simply because we live behind the scenes. In Nollywood, I find that one can't be behind the scenes to truly get the recognition they deserve -- it's an economic reality that Nollywood screenwriters aren't balling out of control with mansions in Lekki or trips to exotic lands based off the sale of a script, not like our Western counterparts anyway -- so the more ample title of filmmaker comes into play. The filmmaker title looks, feels, and sounds palatable and well-rounded professionally.
I’d like to read an interview about the screenwriter who brings to life something that wasn’t there a minute a go – something wonderful, thought-provoking and engaging to entertainment and possibly enlighten. I’d like to read about the screenwriter who spent long hours, or days, toiling away in the dark (waaaaaay past their bedtime) to create a thing of beauty that can be transformed into a film, tv series, documentary, or other visual medium to be viewed and shared by all! It’s truly an art form. So as artists, the screenwriter should be celebrated as such! They are out there, RIGHT NOW, staring at the laptop screen, alone, possibly lean and hungry, trying to break through the infamous wall that is the middle of Act 2! We know who they are, and they have no aspirations of being behind the camera or spending time in the editing room or coming up with which music to put on the end credits! Nope, just the script!
There is no real specialization in Nollywood, but rather a perceived one where we say we can do it all. But I’ve met filmmakers who couldn’t write a script to save their lives, tone-deaf they didn’t understand the intricacies of sound mixing or editing, or simply direct traffic let alone a Nollywood movie! So let’s get real – ARE YOU REALLY A FILMMAKER? Can you take all aspects of filmmaking and churn out something entertaining and memorable that’s seen as visual art? Can you make a movie all by yourself? Write, act, direct, edit, produce, and score?
It’s possible. It’s being done somewhere right now! But in Nollywood?
Every film industry in the world plays host to independent filmmakers, and that’s what we are breeding today in Nollywood – INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS! I like that title… it sounds less pretentious than just “FILMMAKER”.
Point is: let’s all do our best within our chosen fields of expertise to raise the standards of Nollywood in general. Filmmaking is a collaborative venture and a sum of many moving parts. My dad keeps telling me that no man is an island, and rightly so. If we were all filmmakers, there’d only be one name on the beginning & end credit list. Also, on the DVD box!
Yeah, good luck seeing THAT film with a cast of ONE – THE FILMMAKER!

Questions? Comments? Insults? Let's hear 'em...