Filmmaking demands patience, not shortcuts -Filmmaker Emmanuel Sarpong
FILMMAKER and producer Emmanuel Sarpong has criticised what he describes as a troubling work ethic among some players in Ghana’s film industry, warning that it continues to limit the sector’s prospects for stronger recognition on the global stage.
He argues that many creatives fail to pay close attention to crucial details during production — a lapse he believes undermines the quality of local films and weakens their chances internationally.
The tendency to rush projects without thorough checks often shows in the final product, leaving Ghanaian films struggling to compete at the highest levels.
In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz on the sidelines of the launch of the fifth anniversary celebration of Akwaaba Magic in Accra recently, Mr Sarpong said filmmakers must treat every stage of production with greater seriousness and professionalism if the industry is to meet global standards.
“As creatives, one of the biggest problems we have is that we sometimes fail to pay attention to detail.
“We rush through the process and assume the audience will accept whatever we present, but filmmaking does not work like that. Every little thing matters—from the script to subtitles, sound and even editing,” he said.
Mr Sarpong observed that many Ghanaian filmmakers tend to focus on completing projects quickly rather than ensuring that every aspect of production meets acceptable standards. He explained that this approach made it difficult for the local industry to compete with productions from countries where strict quality control measures were standard practice.
“For us to meet international standards, we cannot continue doing things haphazardly. Sometimes, simple things such as proofreading subtitles, checking sound quality or properly reviewing scenes are ignored.
“These may appear minor, but they make a huge difference in the final product,” he stated.
Mr Sarpong explained that filmmaking involves several stages — scripting, pre-production, production and post-production and each phase requires careful attention to deliver a polished outcome.
According to him, producers must be deliberate about improving their technical delivery, storytelling and overall presentation if the industry is to make meaningful progress.
“There are many elements involved in producing quality films. As producers, we must deliver on technique, story, acting, and overall presentation. Everything must be on point, but sometimes people focus more on finishing a project quickly instead of ensuring the quality is right,” he said.
Mr Sarpong added that attention to detail must begin at the earliest stage of production. For him, thorough planning during pre-production plays a decisive role in a film's success.
“Attention to detail starts from pre-production. We do not just go on set and begin shooting. We design the sets, plan the costumes and carefully develop the script before production begins. All these elements help shape the final product,” he noted.
He added that the post-production stage was equally important, as it is when the project is refined and polished before release. According to him, some productions undergo several quality checks before they are approved for broadcast.
“Even after a project passes quality checks in Ghana and is sent to other countries, there are sometimes still corrections to be made. That process ensures the content becomes tighter and stronger than what many independent producers usually deliver,” he said.
