Friday 24 October 2014

Wide Shot taken from the movie "Psalm 91" A Rita Nzelu film
Extreme Wide Shot or Extreme Long Shot
  • This type of shot features the subject far from the camera and as a result we see the area and environment around the subject.  In fact, in the extreme wide shot, the subject can be barely seen.
  • WHY USE IT?  This shot is often used to show where the subject is located.  It is often referred to as an ESTABLISHING SHOT because it establishes where the scene takes place.
  • TIPS:  Don't overuse extreme wide/long shots.  It is tempting to pull back from the subject in order to capture all of the action around the subject.  However, by filming everything in wide you lose the ability to show details that may be interesting or important to your story.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Nelson Spyk BEFFTA Winners - A personal view



 I decided to ignore other awards presently because the BEFFTA's have proven over the years to be a rallying point for UK creatives. The open voting system is free and fair but plagued by its inherent weakness  (The person with the highest votes wins, nominees that are not online savvy are screwed).
I decided to bring out my personal  "Winners" list once voting is concluded, so as not to influence voters.
This is my bias personal opinion.

1. BEST DIRECTOR
I would have chosen Steve McQueen, but I know the legendary Ruke Amata would do a way better job with $12 Million, if he directed "12 years a slave". My winner in this category is Ruke Amata. Obi Omelonye most commercially successful director.

2. BEST ACTOR
Very controversial category  because we have two names that are close(Kevwe Ogunje and Kevwe Ugunje) but that is not really an issue because his performance in "At Home abroad" was cringe worthy. If he was nominated for his role in "London Na Wa' it might be considered, but still not in the "Best Actor" category.  my choice here would have been  O C Ukeje, for his sterling performance in the hood comedy "Gone too far", but that movie is closer to the Black British movie genre to be considered Nollywood. From the Nominees, the winner in this category will be Lanre Balogun for his impressive performance in "18 Carat Mama"

3. BEST ACTRESS.
The choice that readily come to mind is Ngozi Thompson. But I hold back because the movie (The Messenger) was in Igbo. Zeeza Sadiq is an amazing talent, but in "Urban Rhythm" her role as a glorified girlfriend did not do her justice. The winner for me in this category is Helen Gold Osabutey. This is because the Character of "18 Carat Mama" was brought to life by her sterling performance.

4 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
This I would have given to Mabel Osabutey, but unfortunately she was not given enough screen time to display her talents in "18 Carat Mama". Tolulope Yesufu on the other hand had her own story in "18 Carat Mama". You cant fault her delivery. As such my winner here is Tolulope Yesufu.

5. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Chuky Venn, with a body like his, our other nominees do not stand a chance

6. BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
"Half of a Yellow Sun" Lol, lol, lol (Laugh wan tear my belle) movie wey houseboy English strong pass graduate english. Ibeg that movie no suppose dey this category at all. I go even prefer say na "Labo" BEFFTA choose. They shot part of "Labo" in Nigeria it automatically becomes an international film. No long thing na "12 years a Slave" get this category.

7. BEST UK FILM
"Gone too far" by a mile.

8. BEST UK NOLLYWOOD FILM
"The Messenger" was LOL funny and my clear winner.

9 BEST NEWCOMER ACTRESS (NOLLYWOOD)
Princess Abiye starred in Rita Nzelu's "International Game" so I will not classify her as a "Newcomer". This category I would has given to Nnena but she has not been given a challenging role yet. The clear winner in this category is Toyin Moore, she almost stole the show in "18 Carat Mama". If she was nominated in the best actress category, the battle would have been epic.


10 UK NOLLYWOOD RISING STAR
Placing Kevwe Ogunje  in this category is justified, but placing the phenomenal Marie Gomez in this category is a nomination faux-paux, it is a travesty. I give this category  to Nonso Nwaiwu.

11. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
Obviously Nelson Spyk is the clear winner; the sharp shooter, the Assassin that consistently hit the target. In fairness the other guys are good, but not as fast. For the fastest shooter in the west, Nelson Spyk is your man.
nelsonspyk@gmail.com

17 BEST PRODUCER
The best producer is Rita Nzelu, best upcoming producer Florence Okonkwo. But both were not nominated, as such I will go for the hardest working producer in UK at the moment MR Collins Archie Pearce.

 Pauline Long is doing a great job in organising this wonderful award. I will grace the special award ceremony. Good luck to all nominees.

One of the most common critic of Nollywood movie is very bad sound. If you were unfortunate to have bad sound in your film, no matter how bad, our sound engineers are better that the geniuses in Pentagon.
The video above is a sample of bad sound that was greatly improved by our sound engineers.
For amazing post production sound.

Contact:
nelsonspyk@gmail
07930600451

Thursday 16 October 2014

A little less conversation a little more action


When  scripting or shooting place more emphasis on talents "Doing" rather than "Saying" things.  


In UK Nollywood most writers are religiously obsessed with  actors  perfecting their verbal  "Lines".
It is more dramatic visually  if an aggrieved girlfriend slaps her cheating boyfriend (Twice) before delivering verbal lines.

Some Directors consider this approach "Overacting"and most British drama schools frown on such overacting. I must state her that this form of drama is what is making Nollywood the fastest growing film genre.

  Regardless of your creative stance, movie making is all about drama, acting out a scenario that might not be achievable under realistic conditions.