The University of Media, Arts and Communication’s Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) had the privilege of hosting two renowned personalities in the film industry in West Africa.
Mr. Ivan Quashigah, a renowned Producer/ Director and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farmhouse Production, and Ms. Selassie Yao, a prolific scriptwriter, discussed the topic, ‘The Vertical Revolution: Mastering Micro-Dramas for African Digital Economy’ in a workshop organised for faculty and students. The workshop saw students, lecturers, industry professionals and other film enthusiasts, joining both physically and online to participate.
Professor Samuel Menassah Yirenkyi, the Rector of Institute of Film and Television delivered a welcome address read by Ms. Marian Mantey, the Head of Media and PRO-IFT. The address highlighted the importance of the theme and the gradual, yet steady change in the digital ecosystem, with the power of storytelling no longer being measured by duration, but by the depth of impact it makes.
He emphasised that IFT does not train spectators of change but drivers of change. Indeed, IFT trains industry-ready professionals who are able to adapt to the changing seasons and lead the Ghanaian narrative storytelling. And, this he stated, can be affirmed by the career journey of the two esteemed speakers Ivan Quashigah and Selassie Yao who are both Alumni of IFT, breaking barriers and making significant impact in the filmmaking industry.
The Rector’s address ended with a resonating encouragement to students and everyone present that micro-drama is our tool, the digital space is our stage and the world is our audience.
With the world moving in a new direction and people leaning more towards vertical dramas, this timely workshop offered insightful guidance on how Ghanaians can rise to the challenge and build a solid presence in this space. It was on this basis that Ivan Quashigah presented on the topic ‘Vertical & AI filmmaking,’ and Selassie Yao presented on ‘Scriptwriting’.
They both provided essential guidance and practical ways to invest in vertical drama & Artificial Intelligence (AI) filmmaking and in the art of writing excellent scripts ready for the market.
A participant described the workshop as an ‘out of the cave’ moment, as minds were opened to the profitable investment opportunities in the vertical filmmaking space and to a new platform for creatively telling Ghanaian stories.
Participants were also introduced to the ‘Story Story App’, an entertainment platform focused on African films and television shows owned by Farmhouse Production. Mr. Ernest Owusu, a team member of Farmhouse Productions, led participants through the app’s navigation and explained how ownership, rights, and finance work on the producer’s and the app owners’ sides.
Mr. Ivan Quashigah and Mr. Selassie Yao encouraged everyone to deeply consider moving into vertical dramas and AI filmmaking as they are becoming the new norm with continuous global revenue growth, and to write engaging, culturally rich stories.
Participants left the workshop with renewed hope and a mandate to excel in vertical dramas, AI revolution, and scriptwriting.
UniMAC-IFT is very grateful to Ivan Quashigah and Farmhouse Production for their collaboration and heartfelt dedication to bringing industry trends closer to students and pushing them beyond their comfort zone for global impact.
UniMAC-IFT is a professional media Institute dedicated to training industry-ready professionals who have excellent narrative leadership skills with a Ghanaian pride through the certificate, diploma, degree and masters’ courses. With experienced lecturers, students are groomed – theoretically and practically- in various film artistic, film techniques, journalism, animation and multimedia courses.