Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Dowuona. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
I graduated from the National FIlm and Television Institute with a bachelor’s degree in Television Production. During my National Service I kept thinking about what I wanted to do after I am done and the thought of working for someone did not sit well with me due to the experience i had during my national service. The initial Idea was to work at a television station. I weighed my options because first thing, getting employed at a television station was not going to be easy because I had several colleagues and seniors who still did not have jobs, others had to opt for other job ventures which had nothing to what they studied. Secondly if i do get employed the payment would not be encouraging and I won’t be able to get the position I deserve as a degree holder because most positions are held by elderly people who refuse to go on retirement.
After my service I was home for a while and the idea of starting a production company (Film Etoile) came to mind.
I had a lot of colleagues who had no jobs, neither do I and we all had degrees in relevant fields related to filmmaking.
Two colleagues and I came together and decided we will build this production company together and create employment for our colleagues as well. After all different arms come together to bring something to fruition. As a director I cannot shoot a whole production on my own I need a cinematographer, editor etc. So that is how it all came about. We brought works that we did whiles we were in school and some that we did on our own and presented them as portfolio. That’s how something that started small became something really big today.
I believed the film industry needed fresh ideas and young minds to bring out more creative ideas and the preservation of our culture as well. These kept me going.
Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Sarah Narki Dowuona, a film director and scriptwriter based in Ghana. Graduated from the National FIlm and Television institute, Ghana with a BFA in Television Production.
My way of storytelling is mainly on poetic films, documentaries and reality shows. I have been in this creative industry for about 6 years to 10 years, that is if i include my time as a student studying film.
I have worked on a number of projects that have to do with humanitarian and social issues.
Growing up I always wanted to be in front of the camera as an actress or a tv presenter which led me into enrolling into a film school. Unfortunately my school did not offer acting during that period so i opted for television Production. Fast forward i fell in love with being behind the camera. Creating my own stories and directing how I want my story to flow. Filmmaking is actually a powerful tool as it can make or unmake a person’s thought. It is like being a ‘god’ creating your own world.
I am most proud of the fact that I am able to tell stories that can improve things in the world.
“My most exciting project The Cedi Life which is a reality show that depicts the lives of hardworking, young, professional Ghanaians from around the world as they bring to life their various ventures in Accra during the Holiday season.
My second is Slum Chronicles a documentary series which is still in production. I personally love this project because it deals with about 8 out of the 17 sustainable development goals. Slum Chronicles is a compilation of stories from people in Agbogbloshie, a slum in Accra, Ghana
This documentary I must say is not like any documentary that is told by outsiders or foreigners giving explanations to people living in Slums. But rather from the people themselves, making the world know who they are, their way of life and changing the perception outsiders have about them.
I have a production company called Film Etoile and most of my works can be found there.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
I met my co founder from school. As I stated earlier after graduation I thought it might be wise to create a production company and work for ourselves rather than working for someone whereby our creativity is limited. I discussed this with my friend and he liked the idea and that’s how it all started. And the goal was to create employment for our colleagues as well.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love this question! It is when I am able to connect with people through my stories. It’s amazing when people you do not know, practically strangers, tell you how they connect with your stories and how deep they can connect with it.
Storytelling also breaks the barrier when it comes to language and you are able to tell your story to everyone even in non dialogue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://filmetoile.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naa_afoncia/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/zdowzy