1) WHO IS AKIM MACAULEY?
Akim Macauley is a filmmaker based in United States of America, the first Cameroonian
who started doing African movie in the USA with a group of church members under the
auspices of Camwood.
2) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE FILM
BUSINESS AND HOW DID IT ALL START?
Well I have been in the film industry for a long time that I can't remember,
my passion for making movies started when I was a kid, I could draw well, so I
will draw characters on cartoon boxes and carve them, then I will attach broom
stick on them and make them to fight each other while I use boxes and
touch light bulbs to project the characters on the wall. The shadow gives some
interesting effects, these action was a result of my beloved father who used to
take us to movie back in the days to watch Chinese and Indian movies hahahaa (he
laughs) we use to pay 10frs per view. Also when I grew up I was very influential
in my school (Lycee Bilingue de Application Yaoundé) and I was part of the
drama group which later had the first anglophone TV comedy show
which later became just for fun. Watching kabila lagmia and judith bih suh on TV
I knew I will make great movies and this is where I am now.
3)
YOU WERE IN CAMEROON RECENTLY FOR A MOVIE (DECODED).
HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?
My Cameroon experience was a great one, I came to co produce but because if
some mix up I later on found myself directing as well. There were a lot of
things that happened that were unexpected for example John Dumelo who was due
to be in Cameroon for `DECODED` and `Who Is My Husband' did not show up, so my
executive producer stood so strong and demanded for a replacement immediately ,
so we got Van Vicker who was more of a blessing.
It was very frustrating when john did not show up, for someone
like me and my personality it was a big blow, but Brenda stood firm and
actually went against all odds to see that Van showed up and then we had the
best movie experience you can ever imagine.
4) WHAT OTHER DIFFICULTIES DID YOU
ENCOUNTERED ON DECODED?
First we had limited days to shoot since Van had just 4 working days on set,
in addition to that, Limbe and Buea were hosting rainy seasons. We had
difficult time shooting because of the rain, outdoors scenes were almost impossible
to shoot, when we take the camera out the rain starts falling and we will take
it back in, light was always out, generator sound was not helping either so we
had to mobilize all our resources and talent to deliver and by God`s grace we
all made it and completed all the scenes. It wasn't a smooth ride anyways
coupled with the fact that I am used to many shots, so it was taking too much
time. To cut long story short , my experience shooting DECODED was a challenging
one which was not limited to human unpreparedness but also natural limitation,
team decoded did all they could in their powers to pull it together. Team
DECODED were all passionate and refused failure to be an option. I think
working in Cameroon was one of my most difficult jobs but with the support of team
DECODED, success was near to touch.
5 5) WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CAMEROON FILM INDUSTRY IN
THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
The Cameroon Film Industry
will be a million dollars film industry, we see it coming with great initiatives
like DECODED, PINK PIOSON, BLOOD OR WINE and of course the much awaited YEFON
the movie that is making gate way to Cameroon. In two years our youths will
gain more employment through the industry because great production companies
will spread all over our nation, marketing will be put in place and more
investors will be seeking for investment. Cinema projects are in the pipe line so
Cameroon will not only be known for football but movies as well.
6) WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
My role model for acting
which I don't have any more was Denzel Washington but for producers I have Tyler Perry
and Spike Lee.
7) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS?
EPULE JEFF: Jeff is a nice guy, it
was my first time to work with him , I discovered that he is a calm guy with
his own mind but very humble and lovely, he is a professional and a talent that
Cameroon can be very proud of, he is a work force and can deliver perfectly
ENAH JOHNSCOTT: Scott is a
likeable guy, he is creative, he will make a very good director and he is also
a great writer, I will want his signature on my script any time any day before I
shoot, because with him I am guaranteed to have a very good movie.
YIJIKA SOLANGE: Yijika is an example of a good actress; she
is an actress who knows when to step up to the big picture, her style is unique.
I was amazed and I saw another side of Cameroon talent, she brings a new feeling
to what we had in mind. To me she is a whole nation of talents by herself.
BRENDA ELUNG: Brenda Shey Elung as the executive producer,
she is one of the finest persons I have ever met, if all producers are like
that then we will always have very good movies, she is a perfectionist, she
likes quality, she is smart, determined, patient and real. She is also very
talented as an actress.
TEH REAGAN: Regan is
also a very energetic and smart young guy, very nice and humble, he has an
objective in mind in relations to the project, he is a fine editor too.
PROXY BUH: Proxy is a nation of script. These are just part
of team DECODED. If you ask me, everyone on that set was just the best I can
get to work with, I just thank God who put all these people together for me,
will never regret working with them in failure or in success.
8 8) WHAT IS YOUR MARITAL STATUS?
I am a married man with a beautiful daughter
9 9) ANY
FINAL WORD FOR THE CAMEROON FILM COMMUNITY?
I wish African movies to continue to do their
best and continue with good movies, good scripts and more; I also wish the Cameroon
Film Industry the best and hope that we are the next Hollywood in the world. I
want to also call production houses to co-produce so they can do great movies,
we are not that rich to sponsor projects by ourselves. Thanks y`all and to African
Entertainment, the team behind it should keep up with the good work.
