AY Makun Comedian featured on CNN Market place, talks hardships in Nollywood

AY Makun has joined an elite list of Nigerian celebrities who have been featured on CNN after he was a guest on “CNN Marketplace Africa.”

The ace comedian spoke on some of the issues faced in Nollywood by independent producers in Nollywood.

AY Makun

(Stargist)

 

The Nigerian movie industry has experienced a significant increase in investments and popularity and with Makun's recent movies, such as "30 days in Atlanta", "A trip to Jamaica," amongst others, this is made even more obvious.

He explained that the boom being experienced is a direct result of Nigerians realising that money can be made from Nollywood.

He said: "People are now beginning to know that you can make money from our movies. Investors are starting to come in and collaborations between different production outfits are beginning."

@aycomedian was a guest on #emo#4oCc##CNN Marketplace Africa,#emo#4oCd## and the comedian discussed some of the obstacles faced by independent producers in Nollywood. The Nigerian film industry is experiencing a significant increase in investments and popularity. AY explained that this is the result of Nigerians realizing that money can be made from Nollywood: People are now beginning to know that you can make money from our movies. Investors are starting to come in and collaborations between different production outfits are beginning. When asked how the country#emo#4oCZ##s recession impacted business, AY revealed even his company suffered: It affected the last movie I did, 10 Days in Suncity, because of the exchange rate. I was shooting in Nigeria and South Africa so the exchange rate was crazy and that affected finance. However, Nigerians seeking a short respite from the realities of the recession continued to spend money on movies, AY explained: Recession or no recession, Nigerians want to like a product and they are ready to go out there and see it #emo#4oCT## it#emo#4oCZ##s part of the relief for them. He moved on to outlining what it takes to produce a financially successful Nollywood movie: The secret is not for you to just jump in because you think people are making money. You need to do your research. You also need to have an understanding of finance. Read more on www.bellanaija.com/scoop Go AY!!!

A post shared by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on Oct 21, 2017 at 9:39am PDT

 

Asked about the impact of the recession in the country's economy on business, AY noted that even his company suffered as did most companies in the industry.

"It affected the last movie I did, 10 Days in Suncity, because of the exchange rate. I was shooting in Nigeria and South Africa so the exchange rate was crazy and that affected finance.

"However, Nigerians seeking a short respite from the realities of the recession continued to spend money on movies."

AY Makun and wife

(Pulse)

 

AY went on to explain: "Recession or no recession, Nigerians want to like a product and they are ready to go out there and see it – it’s part of the relief for them."

He also outlined what it takes to produce a financially successful Nollywood movie.

"The secret is not for you to just jump in because you think people are making money. You need to do your research. You also need to have an understanding of finance."