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Tag: Ivan Quashigah

  • Ivan Quashigah grieves the passing of Vincent McCauley

    Ivan Quashigah grieves the passing of Vincent McCauley

    The creator of the highly acclaimed series Ivan Quashigah, ‘Things We Do For Love,’ is in a state of shock and sorrow following the passing of actor Vincent McCauley, who portrayed the character Max in the series.

    McCauley, unfortunately, passed away on Monday, January 15, and the specific cause of his death remains undisclosed.

    Expressing his profound sadness on Instagram, Mr. Quashigah shared that while he was aware of McCauley’s health challenges, he was not fully cognizant of the severity of his illness. Despite facing health issues, the actor, known for his lively and cheerful demeanor, showed no evident signs of distress.

    Recalling a recent incident during the filming of ‘Yolo Season 7,’ Mr. Quashigah conveyed his disbelief and deep sense of loss over the unexpected demise of Vincent McCauley.

    “You had to miss the filming of some scenes and I was left to find a way out. The gentleman you were, you made it a point to come to the office to personally apologise.”

    “Unfortunately, I did not notice the severity of your condition because as usual, you gave us your signature handshake that almost removed our arms from our bodies,” he added.

    The filmmaker revealed his plan to contact McCauley on the day to discuss a possible upcoming project and inquire about his welfare, only to receive the heartbreaking news of his sudden demise.

    Reflecting on the recent tragedies, Mr. Quashigah mourned the losses, including McCauley’s on-screen cousin in “Things We Do for Love,” Marleen (Lois), and Ekow Blankson, who played his boss in “Inspector Bediako.”

    “Hmmm. Vincent! What do I do with the new scripts? This cuts really deep!… Lord, teach us how to number our days and to recognize how few they are and help us to spend them as we should. Your word says in all things we should give thanks, but this really, really hurts. Rest in Peace Nephew.”

    Read his post below:

  • “This cuts really deep!” –  Ivan Quashigah laments death of Vincent McCauley

    “This cuts really deep!” –  Ivan Quashigah laments death of Vincent McCauley

    Ivan Quashigah, the esteemed executive producer and director behind popular Ghanaian series ‘YOLO‘ and ‘Things We Do For Love,’ is devastated by the untimely death of actor Vincent McCauley.

    In a touching Instagram post, Quashigah reflects on the impact of McCauley’s passing and the void it creates for ongoing and future projects.

    Expressing his grief, Quashigah shares, “Vincent! What do I do with the new scripts? This cuts really deep! While shooting YOLO 7, you had to miss the filming of some scenes, and I was left to find a way out. The gentleman you were, you made it a point to come to the office to personally apologise.”

    He further laments a missed opportunity to connect with McCauley about a new project, stating, “Yesterday, I made a mental note to call to discuss the new project and to find out if you were up for it. I failed to call. Hmmm.”

    Reflecting on recent losses in the industry, Quashigah adds, “Just last year we lost your screen cousin in ‘Things We Do For Love’ Marleen (Lois) and your boss in Inspector Bediako – Ekow Blankson. Now you?. Lord teach us how to number our days and to recognize how few they are and help us to spend them as we should.”

    In conclusion, Quashigah expresses deep sorrow, saying, “Your word says in all things we should give thanks, but this really, really hurts. Rest in Peace Nephew.”

    Vincent McCauley, who passed away on Thursday evening, leaves behind a legacy of outstanding performances that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans.

    His notable contributions to Ghana’s movie industry include roles in “YOLO,” “Games People Play,” “Fortune Island,” “Office Palava,” “Living With Trisha: House of Secrets,” and “The Idiot and I.”

    While the cause of his death remains unconfirmed, sources suggest it may be attributed to a brain tumor.

  • Filmmakers believe Ghana’s movie industry is not dead

    Filmmakers believe Ghana’s movie industry is not dead

    During the third edition of the Graphic Showbiz forum, panelists debunked the prevailing notion that Ghana’s movie industry is defunct. Instead, they conveyed optimism regarding its potential for growth, emphasizing that progress can be achieved with deliberate actions.

    Despite limited resources, filmmakers have been making significant strides and could achieve even greater breakthroughs with the right support from relevant stakeholders. The panelists highlighted the industry’s possibilities and emphasized the importance of collective efforts to establish a platform that facilitates filmmakers’ access to assistance for business growth and meeting increasing demands.

    Movie producer Ivan Quashigah presented a compelling case for the industry, acknowledging its evolution and significant progress over time. He emphasized that although the process might be gradual, the film industry is continuously evolving and is on the path to success.

    “I will say the industry is still growing. We are not dead like people say. With the right initiatives and support our industry will eventually get there.”

    In alignment with these sentiments, George Bosompim, the PRO for GAFTA, expressed his belief in the continuous development of the film industry, highlighting the efforts made by industry players to meet the increasing demands of audiences. He urged for widespread support from Ghanaians, emphasizing the significance of backing and valuing locally-produced content for the industry’s continued growth.

    Adding to the discussion, Peter Sedufia, CEO of OldFilm Production, stressed the importance of government initiatives in reducing production costs and creating a conducive environment for filmmakers to expand their creative endeavors. With the right support and initiatives, filmmakers can thrive and contribute significantly to the growth of the film industry in Ghana.

  • Most people in the entertainment industry didn’t want me in their space – Prince David Osei

    Most people in the entertainment industry didn’t want me in their space – Prince David Osei

    Renowned Ghanaian actor, Prince David Osei, has candidly revealed the obstacles he faced on his journey to stardom in the movie industry.

    Speaking to the media, he disclosed that his rise was marred by backstabbing and animosity from certain individuals within the industry who did not want him to succeed.

    While some like Ivan Quashigah believed in his talent, there were others working behind the scenes to hinder his progress.

    “I felt unwanted in the movie industry. There was this feeling like ‘where is he coming from?’ I felt that bad energy but all the victimization kept me going.

    “When I got casted for The Dead, people made mockery of me. Sometimes you go on set, they don’t give you room, you wear something and they tell you it’s too nice. At a point, it was me and Martha Ankomah, Opera Square stopped selling our movies.

    Prince mentioned instances when his roles were taken away due to the belief that he wasn’t suitable for them, as decided by those who held significant influence.

    Recalling those challenging times, the Fortune Island actor admitted feeling unwanted in the movie industry and faced negative energy questioning his place in the field. However, he credited his determination and drive to succeed for keeping him going and preserving his dreams.

    He shared an incident during the casting of “The Dead,” where people mocked him, but his resilience persisted. Prince also recounted moments on set when he encountered resistance and belittlement, such as being told that his wardrobe was too nice for the role.

    Despite facing obstacles and deliberate attempts to sabotage his career, Prince encouraged aspiring actors to remain steadfast and determined. He emphasized the importance of attracting the right people and urged newcomers not to give up in the face of industry saboteurs.

    In sharing his experience, Prince David Osei offered valuable advice to up-and-coming talents, highlighting the significance of perseverance and commitment in the pursuit of success within the Ghanaian movie industry.

    “It’s all about you attracting people. Don’t give up when you come face to face with these kind of people who would sabotage you in the industry.”

  • I had to adopt a ‘bar lifestyle’ to play pusher role – Adjetey Anang

    I had to adopt a ‘bar lifestyle’ to play pusher role – Adjetey Anang

    Ghanaian movie actor, Adjetey Anang has stated that he prioritizes research in his acting profession.

    According to him, being a cast in the TV series, ‘Things We Do For Love’ (Pusher) in 2003 made him resort to researching since the role he had to play was so in contrast to the real him.

    A portion of his memoir stated that “An actor has to do a lot of research when defining his role and character as this helps him interpret it in a more convincing way” and upholding this “basic rule in acting” once landed him at a bar in his neighbourhood.

    “I was skeptical about playing the role, it was enough that I was acting but to play a role that was so in contrast to the real me, was definitely going to be a challenge. Yet I wasn’t one to walk away from challenges, and began to plan how best I could play the role without becoming the character himself.”

    He also revealed that he played the ‘pusher’ role so effectively that producer and director Ivan Quashigah, who had reservations about his ability at first, was blown away by how brilliantly he performed.

    “There was a bar in our neighbourhood that housed a few naughty boys in the area. I would go there and buy a bottle of coke and sip on it for hours just so I could observe how they talked and carried themselves. That way I could imitate a few things and include them in my act.”

    He continued: “So the bar became my classroom; I adopted a lot of the things I did on the show from the customers of that bar. Some of them were loud and crazy. I really picked up a lot of traits from them.

    “I am very sure the bartenders wondered why I would sip on one drink for so long. As you may have guessed, those were tough times and I didn’t want to spend money on two drinks when I could keep sipping on one for an hour while I gathered my data.”

    Adjetey Anang, aged 50, released his memoir on his milestone birthday. Titled ‘Adjetey Anang: A Story of Faith, Imperfection, and Resilience,’ the memoir unveils his journey to fame, his influence, struggles, and the sacrifices that have shaped him.

    It also reveals the relatable individual behind his captivating on-screen characters, including the iconic Pusher from the renowned TV series ‘Things We Do for Love,’ which addressed sex education. Anang’s impressive filmography includes notable works like ‘Citation,’ ‘Keteke,’ ‘Azali,’ and ‘Devil in the Detail.’

    He has received numerous accolades, including Best Actor at the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and Actor of the Year (2021 & 2022) at the Exclusive Man of the Year Awards Africa.

  • We’re crawling but will get there —Ivan Quashigah

    Movie producer and CEO of Farmhouse Productions, Ivan Quashigah, is optimistic things will turn around despite the decline in the patronage of the local movies.

    In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Ivan delved into the current situation with the industry and also looked at the way forward.

    ‘’We are still at the beginning stages; we are still crawling. We haven’t really taken off in terms of production. For us to really have a thriving industry, there has to be a lot of production and if that happens, then the themes will be varied and we will have a wide range of themes.

    ‘’What happens here is that producers see a particular film do very well and somehow, everybody goes in that direction so we end up replicating the same themes without venturing into others. Our historical stories about Yaa Asantewaa, Okomfo Anokye and all the big festivals we have ought to be brought to the screens.

    Ivan gave his thoughts on what he believes should be the government’s support for the industry, “In terms of support, I have always said the film industry is somehow driven by private people’s efforts so it looks like the government doesn’t put in a lot because the benefits of the entertainment industry are not quite easily quantifiable. You go to the hospital and you can see that they have treated 5,000 people, in terms of the entertainment industry it is not like that.

    “What we have all come to see is that the benefits we derive from the entertainment industry or cinema go far, far beyond anything else, it rebrands the country, it provides visibility for the country just as the Black Stars are doing worldwide. Films build pride and confidence in the people, these are things that are priceless that we can leverage.

    “So far, when it comes to government’s support, we have the Film Bill, as well as the National Film Authority. But we need support to create an enabling environment for filmmakers to thrive. We don’t need a lot of money because when we have digital platforms and opportunities to put films out there, we will make money.

    “Also, we need the government to help us with venues to show our films around the country. I know that distribution is the bane of the industry so if our films are well distributed even around Ghana, filmmakers can make their money back and come out with more films.”

    He also opined that a film fund would come in handy, and said: “We need a film fund where filmmakers can borrow from to finance their films and then pay back. The tax on film equipment should be minimal and filmmakers who have set up their own companies should be given some tax holidays maybe for five years.

    “What the government needs to understand is that the film industry employs a lot of people, the value chain in the film process is very huge from pre-production to production to post-production and even distribution. If the film industry thrives, a lot more people will be engaged and in the process reduce unemployment,’’ he stated.

  • Ghanaian filmmaker Kojo Little in the spotlight with ‘The Avenue’ series

    Ghanaian filmmaker, Emmanuel Kojo Antwi known in the movie circles as Kojo Little, is gaining the spotlight on the African continent with his new series titled “The Avenue”.

    The melodramatic series, which is being shown on Digital Satellite Television (DStv), has won the hearts of many fans of serial dramas because to its intriguing cast of actors.

    Top movie actors including Desmond Elliot, Joselyn Dumas, and Roselyn Ngissah were among those who appeared in “The Avenue” series, which was produced by Kojo Little.

    Kojo Little, an intriguing young performer with shrewd maneuvers, is interestingly also featured in the series.

    According to Kojo Little, who starred in the popular YOLO series, his dream was to become a top movie producer on the continent and he believes his latest project would gain the needed recognition.

    “I have worked with some top directors in the film industry, including Ivan Quashigah, Pascal Amanfo, and director Diji from Nigeria, and I have learnt a lot from them.

    “It has not been an easy journey thus far, but I am making progress, especially with my new project ‘The Avenue’ which is getting traction not only in Ghana but across the continent,” he said.

    Kojo Little was delighted to have combined both directing and acting, having worked with top actors including Basketmouth, Jackie Appiah, Adjetey Annan, among others.

    He has also featured in movies including Ghana Jollof, African Couple, Catel the Genesis, No Man’s Land, Candle in the Wind, among others.