Ernest Obi, a Nollywood director, has disclosed the salary that producers give to actors and their personal assistants (PAs) in the film industry.
During a candlelight procession held at the National Stadium in Lagos in honor of his late colleague Junior Pope and the five other crew members who lost their lives at the Anam River, Ernest Obi expressed his worries about the exploitative tactics of film producers.
Ernest Obi, the organizer of the candlelight parade, emphasized the need of maintaining safety while filming. He counseled other performers to prioritize their health and take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
The seasoned actor lamented the treatment of shooting crews, particularly the underpayment of personal assistants. He revealed that some producers pay their assistants only N10,000 for a fifteen-day workweek.
He said:
Say no, sir, and take a stand. Give them a call right away if you are a Guild member. Other than your guild, the chairman, or the president not working. Inform him that since you are unable to enter a forest, they want you to, and that the Guild should act now rather than later. The woodland is home to snakes.
What is the salary range for PAs? How can you pay someone N15,000 for working for you for ten or fifteen days? That is a transgression against God, not just a sin.