The English Cameroon Entertainment Industry, as some call
it, has been plagued with a number of fatal diseases, but the “Forged Celebrity
Syndrome” of FCS, has succeeded in infesting the entertainment milieu. Before I
begin, allow me define a celebrity:
According to Wikipedia, a celebrity is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination
and influence in day-to-day media … and
is easily recognized by the general
public.
Now, permit me break this down into 3 main parts:
1- Prominent profile (CV or resumé)
2- Influence (Ability to change a situation)
3- Recognition (Public figure)
I will not deny the fact that some entertainers have gone a
long way to provide constructive and quality entertainment for the English
Cameroon public, but some few ‘entertainer’ have managed to get themselves known
for doing absolutely NOTHING. The
status of a celebrity should be earned, not forged. Sadly, we get people who
become famous just by attending shows, just by auditioning or just from
mingling with quality entertainers.
PART 1- PROMINENT
PROFILE (CV OR RESUMÉ)
Part of being a celebrity is having a highly regarded CV. This
comes as a result of engaging yourself in quality productions, co operations
and other worthy events that become credible and positions you as a great performer.
Today in Cameroon, we find ‘movie stars’ who have had no major role in a
production. As long as they were used as an extra (barmaid, housemaid, security
officer), they have now become stars.
PART 2- INFLUENCE (ABILITY
TO CHANGE A SITUATION)
Another imperative component of being a celebrity is to have
the capacity to change situations. Celebrities from other countries have the aptitude
to change situations in areas like Health, Education, Communication, Politics
and Economics. In Cameroon, we have the ability to affect only our lives. What
a big difference. What a change.
PART 3- RECOGNITION
(PUBLIC FIGURE)
This is of great importance to the life of the celebrity. As
long as the general public recognizes you as an entertainer, you will be able
to go on doing greater things. Sadly, most Cameroon ‘entertainers’ are greatly known…only
by their families. The saddest part of it all is that they are contented with
the situation.
All I am trying to say here is that the Cameroon
Entertainment Industry needs people who do, not talk. Some of you, and I mean
some of you, will say that I am just seeking to be known. But I know the
visionaries will say I am passionate about Cameroon Entertainment, that I hold
it in high esteem. If you want to be a celebrity, the entertainment business is
not for you. If you want to provide quality entertainment for all, then the passion
is in you. You will be a celebrity…from your good works.
