Nollywood: Addressing the inclusion of skit makers in Nigerian movies

Nollywood movies without the involvement of comedians, or skitmakers has done exceptionally well on the movie streaming platform, Netflix.

Does Nollywood really need popular skit makers to enthrall, captivate or engage their audience?

To be sincere, I know the quality of the Nigerian movie production have improved immensely since the 2010s; however the quality and depth of the scripts isn’t mesmerizing or memorable.

The camera quality and angles have become more hypnotic these days, but in terms of script writing and insight in the movies, I think the modern-day Nollywood films have derailed to some extent.

Understandably so, everyone wants to do comedy these days; because comedy is what is in vogue.

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People just want to laugh and forget their sorrows; Nigeria is tedious, hence, do something concise, humorous and let us have a great.

While this is awesome, these movies are forgettable.

Why should skitmakers appear in movies when I could just watch them on my phones?

After spending thousands of naira to watch a comedy movie, I’m riding home thinking to myself, why didn’t I just use this money to buy shawarma; a bottle of drink and subscribe on my phone to watch some Mr. Macaroni comedy skit since comedy films these days are simply a compilation of several comic scenes designed to gas the audience.

In attempt to create a funny movie, movie producers’ influx too much social media comedians which is a beautiful idea.

However, too many stair spoils the stew. Too much sauce makes a meal lose its essence, keep it simple. 

Two or three social media comedians in your movie is enough, you don’t need everyone and not everyone needs to be there.

Because these stars need time to fly; their audience wants to hear them talk and crack them up. Also, the comedians need to bring in their up chemistry; reliability and bring in their own energy.

This is what makes the old Nollywood seem more professional than it is now.

More money, yes, these new coteries of actors seem to make more money than the previous generation; however, you can’t recreate the connection and chemistry that the audience with the on screen actors.

The actors divulged their monologues like they knew what they were talking about, their bit their words and made the audience interested in what they had to say.

Simply put, they made the audience embody the character for a moment, they made them a part of the storyline; this explains why the union of Aki and Pawpaw will eternally remain in our hearts; the mischievous partnership of the late icon Sam Loco Efe and Nkem “Osoufia” Owoh; the diversity of Mercy Johnson.

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It is more than just making your audience laugh, it is all about believability, making them understand why they paid to be entertained.

Modern day Nollywood movies such as Chief Daddy: Going For Broke and The Fate of Alakada might be on Netflix, however, the acting in these comic movies are below par and should he intensely scrutinized.

In the meantime, Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto is one of the best-selling movies in the country.

She did not involve too many social media skit makers; she employed the services of other professionals in her field and the movie turned out to be an instant hit.

 Nollywood producers should be meticulous in character selection, this is their legacy, they must protect it.