Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, during a recent tour of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde's Double Doors Studios, lauded her for the concept of an in-house studios initiative that would serve an all-encompassing purpose of movie production from script to the screen.
The Commissioner, who gave the commendation during the courtesy visit to the multiple award-winning entertainer and Nollywood actress, in the new Studios billed for official unveiling in February 2021, said that the initiative, coming at this period when all efforts are being made to curtail the spread of coronavirus, is no doubt a boost for movie production and practitioners in the industry.
She acknowledged the creative designs, the classic interior and all the fittings within the Studios, describing it as a world-class edifice that should be replicated in other parts of the State.
Akinbile-Yussuf stated that the idea of the Double-Doors Studios are also similar to the plans of establishing a Film Village by the state government, saying that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration has provided a location to be developed for film-makers where their films could be produced under an ideal setting and in line with the best practices.
Responding, Mrs. Jalade-Ekeinde said she was compelled to save practitioners in the field from incessant harassment often associated with using public apartments for film making, saying that the studios would serve as a Work, Live and Play solution Centre.
She explained that the Double-Doors Studios would also provide a relief for homeowners who often have to sacrifice their comfort in order to allow film-makers to use their private apartments for film production.
The Nollywood actress said: "Having been in the industry for decades and as a brand recognised locally and internationally, I realised that having an edifice like this in place is long overdue for practitioners in the industry.
“Even as a practitioner, I have reservations to allowing people into my own personal apartment for the purpose of film production, it is really not the ideal thing and it’s time we started putting necessary infrastructure in place to reverse this trend."
"Home movies and entertainment generally are reflections of life and, as such, must not be hampered by situations or circumstances, though the advent of COVID-19 posed serious threat to the activities of practitioners in the entertainment sector. It behoves the practitioners to devise creative ways around the present circumstances in order to make the sector more vibrant”, she added.
While stressing that the advent of COVID-19 has made it more compelling for filmmakers to embrace new ways of carrying out their activities, Jalade-Ekeinde called on her colleagues in the industry to leverage on the establishment of the Double-Doors Studios for the production of their films.
She also acknowledged the various activities of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the determination of the leadership of the Ministry to drive the development of tourism despite the restrictions on entertainment activities by the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
