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.
I just accepted the job and started
working straight away. The only thing I remember requesting was a down payment.
But the then media director pleaded that the budget was yet to be approved but
I shouldn't worry. As soon as it is. He will avail me some funds towards my
charge.
I started with the cult symbol and
the pictures below shows the progression. This is because, as there was no
brief, they kept making changes constantly, kept saying what they didn't like
etc. Most of these feedbacks were from Ramsey and the producer Chris Odeh
I agreed, and continued working. I
had a full time job so I would from work go to the hotel where the crew members
were lodging to work. There I saw Ramsey Nouah who was the director of the
film. I was given a long list of things I'd need to design but there was no
brief.
They eventually showed likeness for
the 4th design. I really felt good. Cos it felt like I was making a huge
progress. I continued working on their requests, having sleepless nights and
when it came to money, I'd be told they're still having meetings concerning
that. I continued
Then it came down to designing the
company logos for the movie and after I sent in my designs, I was told they
weren't good enough. I accepted and kept working until the media director came
to me with a shocking news that I shouldn't work on the company logos again
started designing majority of the graphics from scratch using only my
initiative. They wanted a cult symbol, company logos, a blog page design, an
Instagram page for Nnamdi, a photoshop of him in Nysc uniform, custom license
plates and a lot of other stuff.
And that the powers above (the
superior crew) had Contacted someone from Abuja to do them. I was sad but I
accepted. So I asked him what about the rest, he said of course I can continue
with the rest. I said okay. In addition to this up and down system,
There were times I would not receive
feedback on designs I had sent for up to 3 days. It kept delaying my work and
when I'd ask the media director he'd even show me text chat on how he has sent
them to Ramsey Nouah and he's yet to respond. Out of positivity I felt maybe
he's busy
I don't even want to talk about the
fact that they moved us from that hotel to another with a cramped up room space
and deadbeat facilities.. But we managed somehow. At this stage, I had still
not been paid, not even the down Payment I asked for. But I was given food and
airtime
Things took a wrong turn when I was
rushing from work so I could go complete my designs then I receive a call from
the media director saying he was fired. I was like what?! What happened? He
explained to me that the crew said they weren't pleased with the quality of
work
That he was bringing and how he
handled his part of the production process. I was sure of the facts cos I know
the media director's sister who confirmed to me that he was fired. I said okay,
what about my work and designs and even my payment. He said he wasn't paid
And as for my designs, that they
neglected them. Saying they didn't even like them and they won't be used. I
kept dragging him my money for months to be very honest but there was little or
nothing he could do and I later realized and gave up. All he said was he is really
sorry
And that he truly understands how I
feel and even promised to compensate me when he gets any money. Because of my
kind of person, I was very fine with that. After all, working on such big
project was really worth it. But this is where it gets really painful.
Almost 2 years after Living in
Bondage (Breaking Free is out and guess what, they used my designs in the
movie. My blood and sweat, my sleepless nights and broken backs after claiming
they were not good enough. Worse of, I wasn't credited, I wasn't paid. I wasn't
even compensated
I watched the movie just a few weeks
ago and got really emotional when I saw my works. I have been trying to contact
Ramsey and he has been ignoring. All I wanted was just to be compensated for my
hard work.
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.
In all honesty, all I ever wanted
was to be acknowledged and compensated. Not ignored and belittled like a
nobody. I have never dragged anyone on Twitter. I lead quite a private life and
I'm all about my hustle. This is my story and your Retweet will help it be
told.
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