AceCasting Creatives Spot

Uniting Casting Agents and Actors for a Fairer Nollywood

Earlier this week, Acecasting issued a clarion call to all casting agents in Nigeria, addressing urgent issues that have long plagued the Nollywood industry. This call to action seeks to combat the unfair treatment faced by both agents and actors, promoting a more equitable and transparent environment within our vibrant film industry.

The Call to Action

At the heart of this movement are two critical issues that demand immediate attention:

1. Unfair Payment Slashing: Actors’ payments are often unjustly reduced by intermediaries before reaching casting agents. This practice not only creates financial risks and misunderstandings but also undermines the trust and integrity of our industry.
2. Infiltration of Greedy Individuals: There is a growing influx of individuals posing as casting agents who prioritize their own financial gain over the welfare of actors. These unscrupulous agents excessively cut into actors’ payments, leaving them with meager compensation.

To address these pressing concerns, Acecasting is advocating for the establishment of a recognized association of casting agents. This association would be supported by leading industry bodies, such as the Actors Guild of Nigeria, to ensure the protection of actors’ rights and the integrity of the casting process.

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Reaching Out for Support

In an effort to garner support for this initiative, we sent a detailed email to Mr. Husseini Shaibu, the Director General of the National Film Video Censors Board of Nigeria. The email outlines the unfair practices currently affecting Nollywood and proposes the formation of a unified and active association of casting agents. Below is an excerpt from the email:

Subject: Request for Support to Address Unfair Treatment in Nollywood and Establish an Official Association of Casting Agents

Dear Mr. Husseini Shaibu,

We hope this message finds you well.

We are Acecasting, and we are writing to bring to your attention several urgent issues affecting Nollywood actors, casting agents, crew members, and producers. Despite ongoing efforts, these issues have not been adequately addressed, leading to significant challenges within our industry.

We have observed a troubling rise in unfair practices, including:

1. Unfair Payment Practices: Increasingly, payments to actors are being unfairly slashed through agents. This has resulted in misunderstandings and risks for actors and casting agents alike. Some crew members have been reported to cut percentages from actors’ payments before passing them on to casting agents.
2. Exploitation by Rogue Agents: There is a growing presence of individuals posing as agents who disregard the safety and well-being of actors. These individuals are primarily concerned with the cuts they receive, often taking more than necessary and leaving actors with minimal compensation.

In response to these issues, Acecasting is organizing a movement to establish a unified and active association of casting agents. This association aims to be recognized by leading bodies in the movie industry, such as the Actors Guild of Nigeria, to protect the interests and rights of all involved parties.

We are planning a meeting with casting agents across Nigeria to discuss and formalize this association. We seek your support and guidance to make this initiative successful and officially recognized. We believe that with the endorsement of the NFVCB, we can bring about meaningful change and uphold the integrity of our industry.

We were referred to you by Adenike Ayodele, a respected member of NANTAP and ANCOP. We hope for a prompt response and look forward to your support in this critical endeavor.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,

Adamson Ali,
Director, AcecastingNg
Acecasting
081*******1

A Renewed Call for Unity

While the initial response has been modest, it is clear that the issues we face cannot be solved in isolation. We need a united front comprising actors, filmmakers, and casting agents to bring about the necessary change. We urge you all to step forward and join this movement.

Your participation is crucial in creating a fairer and more prosperous Nollywood industry. By coming together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that the integrity of our industry is upheld.

How You Can Help

1. Join the Movement: Email us at Acecasting.ng@gmail.com to express your interest and join the discussion.
2. Spread the Word: Share this message with your colleagues, friends, and networks to raise awareness and garner more support.
3. Attend Meetings: Participate in upcoming meetings to be held in our X space where we will discuss and formalize the establishment of the association. Follow our X account: @acecastingNg

Conclusion

The time for change is now. Let’s not allow these unfair practices to continue unchecked. By uniting, we can create a more transparent, fair, and thriving Nollywood industry. Your support and participation are vital to this cause.

Thank you for your continued commitment to making Nollywood a better place for all.

Best regards,

The Acecasting Team