Comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, better known as AY, has lamented the activities of pirates in an interview broadcast on CNN Marketplace Africa.
Speaking with show host, Zain Asher, the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment highlighted some of the obstacle faced by independent producers in Nollywood.
He, however, admitted that the multi-billion naira Nigerian film industry is now attracting investors because of its viability.
“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,” he said.
When asked how the recent recession affected his business, he said “It affected the last movie I did, 10 Days in Sun City, because of the exchange rate. I was shooting in Nigeria and South Africa so the exchange rate was crazy and that affected finance”.
AY stated that Nigerians will spend money on good movies regardless of the economic situation of the country.
“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”.
On piracy, the 46-year-old said “I have lost so much (money) from (the piracy of) 30 Days in Atlanta to A Trip to Jamaica. This has also affected the industry – some producers believe that if they spend so much and pirates come, they are going to (have a) huge loss.
“But if they spend less and they make a little money before the thieves come, it will be fine. This is affecting the quality [of the films being made].”
