The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), has issued a stern warning to moviemakers to stay off movie sets.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Otunba Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr Latin, the association advised its members to avoid resuming movie-making activities because such will violate the ongoing measures to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
While maintaining that movie producers can go ahead with their movie activities if they can meet the requirements of the law, TAMPAN made known that it will not in any way be held responsible for any consequence of such action.
The statement read; “Distinguish members of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), it is my believe that you are Staying Safe. God in his infinite mercy will see us through this pandemic.
“In view of the ongoing Lockdown on film locations and all our other related crafts, I find it difficult but compelling to inform you that despite the partial relaxation of the Lockdown by the Federal Government, the peculiarity of our crafts will not permit us to relax our order to stop productions. I am undoubtedly aware that the Lockdown has crippled our economic activities but it is better to stay alive and in good health than to live in agony of sickness.
“Filmmaking is collaboration, this nature of our business will clearly violate the COVID-19 measures, which have been passed to the law in Nigeria. On every set, the number strength of the cast and crew will be over twenty and even when the number is less, the crowd that the production will attract will certainly contravene the government order on mass gathering.
“Then, how do we observe social distancing on set? Are we going to mask our nose and mouth while acting? Is it possible to avoid touching and cuddling where the script dictates such? These reasons are fundamental to our decision and I will beg you to reason along with us.
“Despite that, since all the state borders are still closed, how can our star actors and other invited artistes travel interstate to feature in our films? The inabilities of those artistes to honour their contracts will generate lots of controversies that will in effect bring rancor to the association.
“Therefore, after considering those vital reasons with my Central Working Committee (CWC), and other stakeholders, our decision on The Lockdown Order on Productions stays till the Federal Government further relax the Lockdown. However, if as producer(s), you can meet the requirements of the law, you are free to go ahead with your production(s). But the association shall not in anyway be held responsible. We will all live through this to rise and shine again. I remain your partner in progress.”
It is no longer news that the Federal Government had released the full guidelines for the containment of the coronavirus pandemic. The guidelines which detailed the measures for a gradual easing of the lockdown in some parts of the country, makes it almost impossible to engage in moviemaking activities without going against the law that has been put in place.
Thus, moviemakers are advised not to resume their activities yet, at least, pending the time the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will further relax the lockdown.