HOLLYWOOD DIRECTOR STORMS NIGERIA TO CHANGE FACE OF NOLLYWOOD
The bar of professionalism and excellence is about to be raised in the Nigerian movie industry otherwise known as Nollywood, following the arrival in the country of Gugu Michaels, a Hollywood director.
Gugu, who arrived Nigeria two weeks ago said that while he was in the United States of America, he had studied Nollywood and realised that more experienced persons are needed for the industry to grow beyond where it is right now.
Speaking with Nollywood Reel shortly after his arrival, Gugu, who shot his first Hollywood movie in 1998, said that in the whiteman's country, Nigerian flicks are only considered as dramas and not films or movies.
“But my mission right now is to bring quality and professionalism to Nollywood so that it can meet international standards,” he assured.
However, Gugu does not want to waste much time before giving what he intends giving to Nollywood. While in the states, he embarked on a project, shot a Nigerian epic movie, and he's ready to conclude the shooting on his arrival to Nigeria.
The epic, tentatively entitled: Delta Boys, revolves around white people and their encounters with Niger Delta militants.
Gugu has also set up his recording/editing studio called Sparks, in Owerri, Imo State. According to the Hollywood director, the studio is well equipped with better cameras, sound systems among others.
The Nkwere, Imo State-born Gugu, who has been in the United States since the age of eight, however, confessed that initially, it wasn't easy for him to make a name in Hollywood.
While describing his experience then as a challenging one, Gugu said, “it is very hard when you are black because they (the whites) don't want to give you jobs.
“You have to work two times harder than the white directors before you can be recognised. But once you can do a good movie, your profile will continue to rise,” he added.
NollywoodReel gathered that Gugu has worked on many Hollywood blockbusters, some of which include Thugz, Dangerous Country, Repentance and Best Served Cold among many others.