This is the ultimate filmmaking question these days in Nigeria and Ghana were the DVDs are still common. The question comes in different ways and some people argue that some Nigerian and Ghana movies are undiscovered gems that should be in the cinema.
The argument is often backed with the fact that movies shown in the cinema make money. Contrary to that, many Nigerian and Ghanaian movies that made it to the cinema in the last three years did badly.
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Long before Nollywood was a thing, almost all movies made both in Nigeria and Ghana went straight to the cinemas. When cinemas began declining in the early 80s and 90s from several uncontrollable factors, straight to DVD rose. Today, you now see straight to DVD movies only in certain situations.
Why some movies don’t go to the cinemas
- If a movie lacks marketable appeal, it is simply made to DVD.
- When filmmakers don’t know their target audience, they struggle to decide which one to go with – straight to DVD or cinemas. When this happens they could make the wrong choice when making the final decision.
- Sometimes not all movies are meant for the cinema and vice versa. It depends on the subject, topic and even the title chosen at the end of shooting.
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- Filmmakers who are not linked to film studios in Nigeria or Ghana struggle to gain a stand with the industry personages. So they just cut all corners to avoid familiarities and make straight to DVD movies.
- Straight to DVD Nigerian and Ghana movies still struggle with quality. However, it remains the only way to bring movies to the masses people who still enjoy movies at home.
- The expenses for making a cinema movie doesn’t end when the director says ‘cut’ on the last day of shooting. There is always a need to spend even more to promote and advertise.
As soon as a movie production ends, all kinds of filmmakers get stuck in one spot – how to make money from the just-finished project. How does anyone arrive at the decision to make a movie straight to DVD or to cinemas? Nobody wants to make a mistake at the point. The money spent making the movie will sink further if there is an error in the decision.
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