Nollywood veteran Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has pointed out differences in how actorsre paid in Hollywood and Nigeria especially when it comes to extra money after the work is done.
The actress, who has worked in both places said she still gets money from some of her Hollywood movies years after they were made. According to Omotola this money comes in the form of payments and royalties.
She compared that to her time in Nollywood, where she said she has never gotten payments for her Nigerian movies.
“I have only been in Hollywood for five years. I still get envelopes with my extra payments and royalties. I have been in Nollywood for 30 years. Have never gotten one envelope. Maybe they don’t know where I live ” she said.
Her words have started a conversation about how people are paid in Nigeria’s movie industry and whether there are systems in place to pay actors when their old work keeps making money.
Extra payments and royalties can be different depending on the deal how the movies are shown, who owns the rights and what the industry agrees on.
Omotola’s comments show worries that have been around for a time about whether people in Nollywood can make a living from their creative work especially as movies keep making money through TV, online and other ways to show them.
Her comparison has led to talks, about openness, better deals and better ways to pay Nigerian actors.
