Shooting in the Riverine community of Akpabu in Emohua LGA was not an all pleasurably affair. But there were still intensely pleasurable moments. The community was serene, seething with a highly pervading agricultural atmosphere that tolerates creativity and the utilization of abundant natural resources. The parallel Maritime atmosphere created by the River gave one an ample opportunity to explore and do justice to the action-packed river scenes of chases, tension, horror, and ultimate disaster. Sadly enough this vibrant community seethes with neglect and underdevelopment despite the local government’s presence. The Palm produce was an allure. The abundance of assorted fruits like Guava, Pineapples, Oranges, and Coconuts were naturally invigorating drinks on the cast and crew savored.
The rich arable land which produced vegetables like the Pumpkin leaves (Ugu), Oha, Okazi, and bitter leaf added rich flavor and made the diet on location a delight to the entire cast and crew who ate to their satisfaction without complaints.
The movie was shot with 2 digital cameras, the Black Magic. There was a Content Manager to moderate the production tempo and critique the production Services. The manager also strives for promotional trends in the realization of the movie marketing potential. This was the Behind the Scene Camera man whose promotional previews which went viral and signal to announce the advent of this new movie wave with a different concept and a complete departure from the Nollywood films we are used to.
The shooting of the movie “The Ugly Bird” was a challenge as it was ridden with effects. As a traditional tale transported into our modern realities, the flight movement of the bird was pervading all through the entire production. It was not just a flying bird but a deity who appears in a human form to commune with members of the community. The tragic flaw in the story was ignorance for the Yoruba corp member that killed the bird never realized that the bird’s persistent visits to his house was a sign of friendship.- a gesture misconstrued.
The movie cuts across ethnic boundaries as the corp members are drawn from the major linguistic groups in the country. Religion is a spice as the female corper who is always adorned in her hijab, exhibits an act of unusual courage to ensure her colleagues who were being chased in a boat paddle to safety. Her activities in the movie were strikingly notable and argue the need for us to rewrite our narrative and reunite our fast-dwindling cultural unity in diversity.
Ahoada was a fiesta as the Eze of Ekpeye land welcomes us with open arms and releases his place for us to use as the location for our palace scenes in the movie.
The 10-day shoot was an experience and one can only pray that the movie when released will meet with an astounding Box Office grand financial surprise.
Written by Dr. Chika. C Onu.
Director of the Movie. The Ugly Bird.
