Ghanaian actress, Moesha Boduong has blamed the attitude of movie producers not paying actors on the actors who came before them.
She believes they laid weak foundations on the back of which all these are happening.
Her comment is as a result of Kofi Adjorlolo going viral for complaining about seven producers owing him. This started a whole conversation of actors telling their own versions of how they are not paid after acting.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz in an interview, Moesha said actors before them paved way for such situations.
“I would want to talk based on my experience in the industry, all the things coming out now is as a result of what those who came before us did. They were happy just being on the screens and did not see the need to be paid for their works.
“Today, they have realised the money is not coming so they are calling out producers. Because they did not see the need to take money for work done, producers also saw no need to pay and that has been the trend for so long.
“There were times movie producers were using cars of their cast in their movies so it became a requirement. If you did not have a car, you would not get roles and interestingly, these actors were enjoying the fact that they were being used. I believe they had no idea a day like this was going to come,” she said.
Moesha who has not had a smooth response especially on social media for some time now especially because she is barely seen in movies and is usually tagged a slay queen touched on the experience in the same interview.
“It was difficult because I had nothing so directors and producers were not ready to use me. It got to a time my dad was not comfortable with me going after my dreams because I had nothing to show for it so I went back to school and then social media came.”
“On the part of the men, it is just sorrowful; there are so many people who have stopped acting because of some of these things. When those who started were on top, they thought that was it but today ask me where are they now.
“When was the last time you saw any of them in a movie, except for a few people who are loyal to some production houses and so will still be acting for free. If those actors had respect for the industry and did what they had to do, we will not be here today.
“Let us ask the people talking now where they were when it started, how come they did not speak up and are doing so now. They just cannot stand the heat coming to them now, the market is open. Today, people are getting paid and they are still being seen as actors who act for free so it hurts,” she said.
However, she feels little can be done to salvage the situation “for now, I doubt if anything can be done to make things right. It will take a whole lot to correct some of these things, it is like we have built a certain foundation that will be difficult to break. It has gone on for too long.”
She further said some producers she has worked with keep do not disappoint.
“For now, I charge, I believe I have paid my dues not to be doing things for free and that is how I think I can help change the narrative.
“I have worked with Shirley Frimpong Manso and she pays. Even if you are an extra in her movie, she will pay you. Apart from her, there are others I have worked with and they do the needful because they understand the game,” she stated.