Famend American-based Ghanaian film producer Leila Jewel Djansi has shared a disturbing account of how actor-turned-politician John Dumelo narrowly escaped being stabbed on a film set resulting from extreme negligence.
The filmmaker criticised the Ghanaian movie trade, calling it a “mirthless joke” and shedding gentle on the unprofessionalism she encountered.
Djansi recounted a very alarming incident involving a manufacturing designer who offered an actual knife for a stabbing scene.
Ought to I discuss concerning the manufacturing designer who handed an actual knife to an actor for a stabbing scene? My God. If it wasn’t for divine intervention, Vanessa Williams would have stabbed John Dumelo with an actual knife that day. How is that this not a joke?
Whereas the precise venture was not named, it’s believed to be the 2018 TV collection 40 & Single, which aired on StarTimes Adepa TV.
Within the collection, Dumelo portrayed Charles, the fiancé of Vanessa Williams’ character, Bertha Brown.
The filmmaker additionally highlighted different cases of unprofessional behaviour she witnessed in Ghana’s movie trade.
Attempt an AD telling you he’ll sleep for a couple of minutes in the midst of a shoot. Attempt a crew demanding you cease filming, carry a TV to allow them to watch soccer, after which return to set after the match. Search for what Cary Fukunaga mentioned about working in Ghana. Attempt telling wardrobe an actor they do not have an outfit for them as a result of their position just isn’t sufficiently big
Djansi contrasted these experiences along with her work in different nations, the place she noticed a excessive degree of professionalism and meticulous consideration to element.
She shared an instance from the Dominican Republic, the place a props supervisor offered her with eight fastidiously organized watches for a single scene.
Dominican Republic, the place the props man confirmed me eight completely different watches, correctly organized, for me to decide on JUST ONE for the scene. Eight choices. I cried tears of pleasure
In her put up, Djansi urged trade gamers to “cease defending mediocrity” and embrace constructive criticism to drive development and enchancment.
Her revelations have sparked a broader dialogue concerning the want for increased requirements and professionalism inside Ghana’s film industry.
