Nigerian gospel movies have come a very long way since the 1980’s down to this new decade in the 21st century. We have witnessed the production of many mind-blowing and deeply-impactful movies and the whole world has been blessed by them.
Nonetheless, like it is said, the largest room in the world is the room for improvement. For Nigerian gospel movies to get to the next level this year, here are five things I feel are needed:
1. ACCURATE SUBTITLES
The issue of inaccurate subtitles has long existed and has been long noticed by the audience. This problem is not peculiar to gospel films, as Nollywood and other Nigerian indigenous films with subtitles are not free from this problem.
In recent years though, more effort has been put into this and there has been great improvement. I feel we’ve gotten to a point where, being the start of a new decade, the ‘Evangetainment’ industry should capitalize on the times and deliver Christian films that have, not just better subtitles, but accurate, if not perfect ones.
I’ll use this opportunity to advertise my efforts in ensuring this task. I am a screenplay/script and subtitle editor, and I aim to deliver on 99.9% accuracy in subtitles. So, tell every gospel film producer out there that we can now have flawless subtitles at an affordable price. Let’s work together and make this year the beginning of impeccable subtitling in Nigerian gospel movies.
2. NOTIFICATION OF RELEASE DATES
There’s a way knowing the actual date of release of your favourite movie excites you. Movie lovers would look forward eagerly to the month of release and countdown to the actual date of its premiere. This structure hardly exists among gospel movies presently. I feel that with better planning, gospel movie lovers could be notified, perhaps three months ahead of the date of release of anticipated movies. This would only serve to increase the number of potential viewers as the build-up to such dates typically increases awareness of the movie.
3. TRAILERS
Closely linked to release dates is the matter of trailers. Trailers whet the appetite of potential viewers for a movie and give a fair idea of what they are to expect from it. I believe that over a period of three months, one or two trailers could be released online such that by the time the movie begins premiering, the viewer is already highly expectant.
4. NEW GENRES
There have been certain innovations with regards to genre in recent years. Seyi Obembe’s The Final Contest (2017) is a musical worth watching while we have also had a thriller like Damilola’s Mike-Bamiloye’s Land of Fury (2018) create a lasting impression on the minds of viewers. This year, or this decade, I’d like to see gospel movies go into uncharted territories of genres and produce films in Science Fiction, Action, Adventure and so on.
5. MOVIE AWARDS
In a bid to recognize excellence in movie productions in the previous year, movie awards are usually done. I know of only one film festival/movie awards ceremony in Nigeria – Gofestival organized by Olaitan Faranpojo. I hope that this year, this programme will be given greater publicity and coverage that would show the world that there are many gospel movies on show for quality entertainment and godliness.
In what ways do you think that Gospel movies can improve in 2020? You can comment below. Till the next article, stay blessed!
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