Socrate Safo is a veteran filmmaker
For veteran filmmaker Socrate Safo, the glamour of Ghana’s entertainment industry always comes with a reminder that behind the lights and applause lies an industry where success is never certain.
According to him, unlike other sectors, success in entertainment does not come with any guarantees.
Speaking on Hitz FM, the filmmaker recalled an experience from his early years in the movie industry when a Nigerian actor approached him for a role.
I regret giving ‘Ghost Tears’ to GBC for free in exchange for advertisement – Socrate Safo
At the time, he admitted he did not have the money to pay the actor but still wanted him in the film. Instead of a fee, Socrate mentioned that he offered the actor something different, the Nigerian distribution rights to the movie.
He explained, “I would love to be in the movie. I said, ‘Okay, come, but I would not pay you, but I would give you the Nigerian right.’”
Socrate disclosed that this was not unusual in the entertainment industry.
According to him, filmmakers cannot afford to pay big actors upfront, as it is common practice to give them equity or distribution shares.
He added that the same system is used in Hollywood, where actors sometimes take a share of profits instead of an upfront fee.
Streaming won’t make you global, that’s a voodoo analysis – Socrate Safo
“To do the distribution in Nigeria and take the money. It happens, Hollywood, it’s done. That’s how people say that actors do get shares. He charges you $150m, and you don’t have it, so he has equity in the movie, so as you are distributing, then he is also getting a percentage in the movie.
“I give him the full right, so he can sell as many as he wants and he can also make losses. One thing about entertainment is that returns are not guaranteed,” he said.
“In entertainment, returns are never guaranteed.” – Filmmaker Socrate Safo, recalling when he gave his movie as equity to a scriptwriter#ShowbizReview pic.twitter.com/mJtE91tEuP
— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) August 18, 2025
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
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