Editor’s note: Please note that this piece has been updated with a footnote, following new developments on the allegations.
It’s 2020, and we are stuck with the same old story you know. The one where the big name brand rips the little guy off because there is no one to fight for them. Except that now, social media has increased the pressure on would-be defaulters.
But it’s disheartening for many that the issue is about one of Nollywood’s favorite heartthrobs, Ramsey Nouah and the Living in Bondage sequel, one of the biggest movies to grace the Nigerian movie industry last year. There is a reservation here however. He is yet to respond, so it is still an allegation.
Tell Ramsey Nouah to pay the graphics designer that did some of the works in the movie. Chikena! https://t.co/FpcOCf4FG8
— K.S.S. (@kayodestephen31) June 17, 2020
What is the matter?
We all woke up to a thread by Twitter user, @louisajlo, describing her ordeal on alleged intellectual property theft. In the thread, she detailed how she had accepted a job to work as a graphics designer for the movie, Living in Bondage, but she was discarded off the project for lack of creativity, yet her designs were used without compsensation.
Dear Twitter, I said I will make a thread. So I will.
In 2018, I was contacted to work as the graphic designer for the 'Living in Bondage' movie. I was very excited as I had never been on a big project like that before hence I knew nothing and did nothing related to paperwork.— Louisajlo (@louisajlo) June 16, 2020
She described how she had been contacted and given a number of tasks to perform for the movie and while there was no official documentation or contract, she accepted the job, admitting that it was an exciting opportunity, owing to the scale and nature of the project. She explained how she had worked tirelessly, going back and forth with her employers over creative choices and differences.
Louis described how she would make a demand for her payment, but was told to be patient. And when it was all said and done, she was neither paid, credited on the project, or compensated in any way, despite her work being used in the film.
Note, not all my designs were used. Which is fine by me even though I put in a lot of work. But here are some of the designs side by side scenes from the movie. pic.twitter.com/cJcksClAAS
— Louisajlo (@louisajlo) June 16, 2020
She also gave evidence of several occasions she tried reaching out to Ramsey Nouah, but he wouldn’t respond. According to some users, this story has rubbed Nigerians off the wrong way, as it is reminiscent of the type of fraud a lot of upcoming creatives have been subjected to.
It is very common in the entertainment industry. I had a similar experience with some known artiste years back. Produced, wrote and sang most of the song, they went behind my back to release it without the needed documentation and proper compensation
— BUBEE (@Bubeetrap) June 17, 2020
This is absolutely unfair.
When I used to write scripts. Some producers who denied my work later used my concept without my acknowledgment and any compensation. It's just so sad the industry disregards people who don't have a name yet.
— – Eclat – (@Ebuka_Eclat) June 17, 2020
They forgot to add the scene where Ramsey Nouah refuses to pay a certain graphics designer contracted for some of the graphics in the movie. Unprofessional! https://t.co/E9yEM3YEou
— TewoR (@TEWOGBADE_) June 17, 2020
Well-meaning voices on Twitter have given her ideas on how she could rectify the issue:
Well written Louisa,this is what you get for being soft and gentle;the Nigerian normal style after they will be calling our leaders different names when they’re worse..I’ll suggest u talk to @HenshawKate @iamyvonnejegede they’re very good ladies in the movie industry ?
— A.I (@sundayikale) June 17, 2020
Copy Netflix in the mail sent to him and write a letter drawing attention of Netflix to the infringement and copy Ramsey Noah plus don’t forget to attach those images in ur mail to Netflix and see how he reacts
— jackofalltrade (@poshlawyer9332) June 17, 2020
And of course, there are those who didn’t think it is wise to jump to conclusions just yet:
"Dangers of a one sided story". Let's hear from him first.?
— "Adesuwa" That Edo ? chic?? (@doll_lenses) June 17, 2020
While I'll like to hear from both sides, but if really Living in Bondage crew fired their manager & graphic designer half way into production without a compensation, goes to show how we love to cut corners & use people, especially creatives.
Ramsey Nouah needs to fix this. https://t.co/VtWCpQjPbf
— Mr Vav (@Vav_Omoluwabi) June 17, 2020
While we can’t say with certainty what the truth is, we can say for sure that this is a recurring problem, especially in the Nigerian entertainment industry, and there needs to be a transparency metric that ensures that all creatives tied to a project, get their due wage. We hope Ramsey Nouah and all involved would resolve this soonest.
Here are the latest updates to the story:
My noise together with your Retweets got them to know and they have contacted me. They didn't know but now they do and have acted accordingly. I have been compensated. I am still proud to have worked on the movie and hope for future possibilities.
— Louisajlo (@louisajlo) June 17, 2020
Yes ma, I have been contacted. Thank you for responding to this issue https://t.co/xBXBSY3ybp
— Louisajlo (@louisajlo) June 17, 2020
He actually did, I am told.
— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) June 17, 2020
Woke up to this news.
Grateful it was just a miscommunication.
Thank you @HenshawKate@instablog9ja @Naija_PR @Nedunaija#ramseynouah pic.twitter.com/TV37wX2O0k— RAMSEY NOUAH (@RamseyNouah) June 17, 2020
For Chinedu Okafor, its all about making an impact with words, creating a profound impression on the audience with the intended narrative.
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