Following a Twitter Thread by a Graphic Artist identified as Louisajlo, Nollywood actor, Ramsey Nouah has been forced to comply to request for compensation over the logo adopted for his movie “Living In Bondage; Breaking Free”.
According to Louisajlo, she had designed the logo and was expected feedback and she didn’t get one. At that point, she believed the logo won’t be adopted and didn’t pester further for compensation.
However, when she finally got to see the movie herself, it was to her greatest surprise to realize that the same logo design she didn’t get paid for was used in the movie, thus, leading her to do a Twitter thread demanding for what she deserves.
Read Louisajlo thread below:
Dear Twitter, I said I will make a thread. So I will. In 2018, I was contacted to work as the graphic designer for the ‘Living in Bondage’ movie. I was very excited as I had never been on a big project like that before hence I knew nothing and did nothing related to paperwork.
I just accepted the job and started working straight away. The only thing I remember requesting was a down payment. But the then media director pleaded that the budget was yet to be approved but I shouldn’t worry. As soon as it is. He will avail me some funds towards my charge.
I agreed, and continued working. I had a full time job so I would from work go to the hotel where the crew members were lodging to work. There I saw Ramsey Nouah who was the director of the film. I was given a long list of things I’d need to design but there was no brief.
I started designing majority of the graphics from scratch using only my initiative. They wanted a cult symbol, company logos, a blog page design, an Instagram page for Nnamdi, a photoshop of him in Nysc uniform, custom license plates and a lot of other stuff.
I started with the cult symbol and the pictures below shows the progression. This is because, as there was no brief, they kept making changes constantly, kept saying what they didn’t like etc. Most of these feedbacks were from Ramsey and the producer Chris Odeh.
I started with the cult symbol and the pictures below shows the progression. This is because, as there was no brief, they kept making changes constantly, kept saying what they didn't like etc. Most of these feedbacks were from Ramsey and the producer Chris Odeh pic.twitter.com/MSYTEMcbDU
— Louisajlo (@louisajlo) June 16, 2020
They eventually showed likeness for the 4th design. I really felt good. Cos it felt like I was making a huge progress. I continued working on their requests, having sleepless nights and when it came to money, I’d be told they’re still having meetings concerning that. I continued.
Then it came down to designing the company logos for the movie and after I sent in my designs, I was told they weren’t good enough. I accepted and kept working until the media director came to me with a shocking news that I shouldn’t work on the company logos again
And that the powers above (the superior crew) had Contacted someone from Abuja to do them. I was sad but I accepted. So I asked him what about the rest, he said of course I can continue with the rest. I said okay. In addition to this up and down system,
There were times I would not receive feedback on designs I had sent for up to 3 days. It kept delaying my work and when I’d ask the media director he’d even show me text chat on how he has sent them to Ramsey Nouah and he’s yet to respond. Out of positivity I felt maybe he’s busy
I don’t even want to talk about the fact that they moved us from that hotel to another with a cramped up room space and deadbeat facilities.. But we managed somehow. At this stage, I had still not been paid, not even the down Payment I asked for. But I was given food and airtime
Things took a wrong turn when I was rushing from work so I could go complete my designs then I receive a call from the media director saying he was fired. I was like what?! What happened? He explained to me that the crew said they weren’t pleased with the quality of work
That he was bringing and how he handled his part of the production process. I was sure of the facts cos I know the media director’s sister who confirmed to me that he was fired. I said okay, what about my work and designs and even my payment. He said he wasn’t paid
And as for my designs, that they neglected them. Saying they didn’t even like them and they won’t be used. I kept dragging him my money for months to be very honest but there was little or nothing he could do and I later realized and gave up. All he said was he is really sorry
And that he truly understands how I feel and even promised to compensate me when he gets any money. Because of my kind of person, I was very fine with that. After all, working on such big project was really worth it. But this is where it gets really painful.
Almost 2 years after Living in Bondage (Breaking Free is out and guess what, they used my designs in the movie. My blood and sweat, my sleepless nights and broken backs after claiming they were not good enough. Worse of, I wasn’t credited, I wasn’t paid. I wasn’t even compensated
I watched the movie just a few weeks ago and got really emotional when I saw my works. I have been trying to contact Ramsey and he has been ignoring. All I wanted was just to be compensated for my hard work..
Ramsey Nouah has straightened all curves by compensating Louisajlo
With the same energy, Louisajlo has come out to state that Ramsey Nouah had reached out to her to do the right thing by paying her what she deserves. She also acknowledges the support of Kate Henshaw in reaching out to Ramsey personally in order to straighten things.
She wrote:
UPDATE Twitter, I made that thread not to indict anybody but to sensitize about the issue and I am grateful that everyone was supportive to me. I didn’t have a direct contact to Ramsey or the crew that is why I used social media. You can see I even tagged the wrong handle.
My noise together with your Retweets got them to know and they have contacted me. They didn’t know but now they do and have acted accordingly. I have been compensated. I am still proud to have worked on the movie and hope for future possibilities.
Thank you so much to everyone who have helped me with this. Thank you @HenshawKate I really don’t know everyone’s handles but I am utterly grateful.
The Misunderstanding
Apparently, another person got paid for the job done, So, Louisajlo was unknowingly calling out the wrong person.
Here is how Kate Henshaw clarified the issue:
First, she replied to Louisajlo passing her vote of confidence for Ramsey Nouah:
Good morning Louisa. Trust you are well. I was tagged on your thread this morning. I can say I know @Ramseynouah_ to a certain extent. He is not that type of person. Ur connect was passing off your job as his own. I have spoken to Ramsey and I hear someone has reached out to you.
However, Kate also mentioned the wrong Twitter handle as Ramsey’s. (His real twitter handle is @RamseyNouah
So it finally dawned on Louisajlo that her connect who was on the media team for Living In Bondage: Breaking Free movie got the money and did not settle her.
So when she got that feedback, it settled everything and necessary compensation was made.
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