PERCEPTIONS AND REPRESENTATION IN THE READING OF EMERGENT NIGERIAN HOME VIDEOS
PERCEPTIONS AND REPRESENTATION IN THE READING OF EMERGENT NIGERIAN HOME VIDEOS
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Date
2006-01
Authors
ANIMASAUN, KAYODE
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Abstract
The movie has become not only a very important industry in Nigeria, but also a major source of
employment to many Nigerians. However, a preview of some movies and their content of
production is a cause for concern. One is tempted to inquire who determines the images that make
up the movies and whose culture is actually being replicated.
This study examines the problems of perceptions of representation. And in doing so, tries to survey
the movie as an identity creation and culture document. In essence, the study desires to know
whose gaze is set and what the Nigerian audiences can make out of the gazes, as a way to
interprets how Nigerians are being imagined.
Using Mirian Freeman and Deborah Valentine as the main point of departure at gaze
representation, the study examines the deviation of Hay’s model from the Western [Hollywood]
movies posture as basis for proposing the Normative Self -Regulatory Approach to gaze setting
and interpretation in Nigerian movies.
As a result of identified problems, ten (10) research questions were formulated on the five likely
variables that could determine movie packaging and analysis especially in Nigeria. These variables
are: the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board variable, audience, producer, cultural and media
variables. Analyses of data showed that
1. There is no significant relationship between the Censor Board and Movie Producers.
2. The viewers’ academic exposures to a great extent determine their interpretation and
perception of Nigerian artistes.
3. Audience’s sex does not determine their perception of the role of actresses in Nigerian
home video.
4. Female film producers are significantly different from male film producers in their
depiction of Nigerians.
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5. To a great extent the producers’ religions determine their imagining of Nigerians in
Nigerian films.
6. The screen exposures of women artistes’ affect their perception of their roles both
positively and negatively in Nigerian society.
7. There are relationships between the viewers’ cultures and their perception of the
representation of Nigerians in Nigerian videos.
8. There is a significant difference between viewers’ religions and their perception of the
portrayal of the Nigerian film stars.
9. There are significant differences in the representation of Nigerians across cultures in the
Nigerian movies.
10. Iconography and semiotic to a great extent determine viewers’ perception of the image of
the Nigerian movie characters.
The above findings support the proposition of the Normative Self Regulatory Approach [NoSRA]
model. It concludes that NoSRA will not only ease the work of the Nigerian Film and Videos
Censors Board (NFVCB), but that it will also impact on the movie producers and the crew the
need and the ability to go into self-censorship in the production process.
To this end, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made on how to apply the NoSRA
model as well as for further studies.
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Keywords
PERCEPTIONS, REPRESENTATION, READING, EMERGENT, NIGERIAN, HOME, VIDEOS