Latest news with #Ogbonna
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Hacks,' ‘Umbrella Academy,' ‘Four Seasons,' and More Filmmakers Invite Viewers Into Their Storytelling Process
A wide range of filmmakers gathered on the Universal lot on May 22 for IndieWire and USG University's 'Consider This' panel, an FYC event designed to showcase the art of storytelling on television from a variety of perspectives. 'A Man on the Inside' editor Sue Federman, 'Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist' showrunner and writer/executive producer Shaye Ogbonna, and 'Hacks' makeup department head Debra Schrey and hair department head Aubrey Marie joined 'The Umbrella Academy' visual effects supervisor Everett Burrell and 'The Four Seasons' art director Mailara Santana on stage to take a deep dive into their process. They spoke in front of an audience comprised of TV Academy and guild members as well as film students from Roybal Film and Television Magnet. More from IndieWire 'Hacks' Renewed for Season 5 at HBO Max 'The Americas' Creative Team Didn't Just Capture Some of the Best Sperm Whale Footage Ever, They Made a Landmark Discovery After beginning the conversation with a discussion of how they got their start in the business, the panel quickly moved to the topic of their role as cinematic storytellers. Ogbonna, who created 'Fight Night,' said that the key to getting the most out of his collaborators was recognizing them as artists and utilizing their specific talents. 'I was trained at AFI and [learned] from day one that everybody's a storyteller,' Ogbonna said. ' Some of the best ideas you might get from an editor, you might get from a DP, you might get from a prop master.' When it came time for Ogbonna to take charge of his first series as showrunner, he took that sensibility with him. 'When it was time to hire all those people, I always saw them as partners in the story,' he said. 'It's, look, here's what's on the page, here are the parameters, but let's have fun.' Ogbonna wanted to give his wardrobe, makeup, and hair departments the freedom and inspiration to recreate the early 1970s era in which the show takes place. 'We're talking about very specific cultural touchstones in a certain time. It was important that we got it right.' On 'The Four Seasons,' it was imperative that the art direction reveal something about character and give the actors tools to work with. In creating the rundown Puerto Rican resort where the vacationing middle-aged friends (played by the likes of Tina Fey and Will Forte) at the center of the series stay, Santana zeroed in on aspects that would make them uncomfortable. 'The characters were not into going down and dirty,' Santana said. 'They wanted to go to a nice hotel as usual. [Showrunner] Tina Fey was very explicit about not wanting it to be pristine.' To that end, Santana worked on making the resort seem old and uncomfortable while contrasting it with a nicer resort close by that most of the characters wish they were staying at. 'We had to do a lot of aging,' she said. 'Once the actors got there, it was exactly what they were hoping for, because it helped them get in tune with their characters. It helps them feel like, 'I don't have to force it. I see it. It's just my environment. This is not necessarily where I want to be.'' Like 'The Four Seasons,' 'Hacks' is a character-driven comedy in which filmmaking craft goes a long way toward letting the audience know who these people are and what stage they're at in their lives. ' I need to think about, 'Does this person know how to do their hair?'' Marie said. 'Do they spend any time on it? If you look at somebody and their hair is perfectly blown out, that tells you something different than if their hair is just air dried or dirty or in a ponytail.' In the case of Ava, the young writer whose career has taken a big jump in the most recent season, Marie wanted to give a sense of the character's elevated position. 'She's gotten this new job, she has new responsibility, new money, and she's trying to put herself together,' Marie said. In previous seasons, Ava straightened her hair, but the back wouldn't be done because she couldn't see it; now she's more polished, but as Marie noted, 'She's still a little misguided.' That misguided quality extends to a hilarious episode in which Ava tries to give herself a makeover to impress an old flame who is coming on her show. She doesn't quite pull it off. 'That was really fun,' Schrey said. 'Tragic and awkward and fun. She never wears makeup, so this was a big deal, and we got to have fun with her. We called it the Sephora look.' Like 'Hacks,' 'A Man on the Inside' is a comedy series that goes to rather dramatic places; while the tone is generally quite sprightly as widower Ted Danson finds a new lease on life by becoming an undercover detective, there are also moments of genuine poignancy depicting his overwhelming sense of loss. 'That's the fun for me, to try to embrace the comedy but also the grief,' Federman said, noting that the opening of the series, in which the slow pace of Danson's life is clearly established, was one of the biggest challenges. 'That was very tricky and it was a big swing, because if you start slow, the network is very scared,' Federman said. 'They don't want anybody turning it off in the first five minutes. But [creator] Mike [Schur] was just adamant, 'This is this guy's character,' and we have to set it up because if you're invested in this, then everything else will follow. It started much longer. My first cut of the first episode was 43 minutes, and we ended up at 27 minutes.' Like Federman, Burrell feels that he's responsible for helping to maintain a show's tone through his work. ' There are a lot of in-depth talks about how to serve the story from a variety of angles,' Burrell said. 'One of them is color, which is a really big deal on 'The Umbrella Academy.' We had a lot of discussions about palettes and tone. Part of my job is helping the new directors who come on board understand the tone from other seasons.' Burrell said that the key to getting everyone on the same page is being a part of the process from beginning to end. 'Being involved early on during prep and getting scripts early is a big deal,' he said. 'If you don't get the script, you don't understand what the story is.' IndieWire partnered with Universal Studio Group for USG University, a series of virtual panels celebrating the best in television art from the 2024-2025 TV season across NBC Universal's portfolio of shows. USG University (a Universal Studio Group program) is presented in partnership with Roybal Film & TV Magnet and IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking. Catch up on the latest USG University videos here. Best of IndieWire 2023 Emmy Predictions: Who Will Win at the Primetime Emmy Awards? 2023 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special 2023 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of crashing into MEDIC vehicle in Charlotte has case moved to trial
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Charlotte man accused of crashing into a parked medical vehicle and seriously injuring several people is having his case moved to trial after a potential plea deal was rejected in court this week, according to Mecklenburg County documents. Nearly two years ago, on May 12, 2023, a 2016 Nissan Altima driven by then-19-year-old Brian Ogbonna crashed into a Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency (MEDIC) truck as an emergency crew was treating a patient at North Tryon and West Mallard Creek Church Road. Officials said one Medic employee suffered life-threatening injuries and another suffered serious injuries following the serious wreck. Ogbonna and the patient who was being treated by the crew for a non-related incident were both taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Ogbonna was reportedly charged with failing to move over, causing serious injury, and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury. A few months later, on July 25, 2023, records show he posted a $50,000 bond. According to court documents, Ogbonna has an arraignment scheduled on December 26, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Access Bank drives intra-Africa trade at inaugural conference
Access Bank PLC, today, convened leading policymakers, business executives, and industry stakeholders in Cape Town for the maiden Africa Trade Conference, a platform dedicated to unlocking the continent's vast trade potential. The conference serves as a strategic response to the shifting global trade landscape, emphasising Africa's need to build resilient economies through deeper regional collaboration and enhanced financial and trade infrastructure. Addressing participants, Roosevelt Ogbonna, managing director and CEO of Access Bank PLC, highlighted the need for Africa to take control of its economic destiny by fostering deeper collaboration, investing in financial infrastructure, and creating homegrown solutions that drive sustainable growth. Ogbonna underscored the shifting dynamics of global trade and increasing need for Africa to look inward. The world, he noted, has become more fragmented, with rising nationalist tendencies and supply chain disruptions that have disproportionately impacted the continent. These challenges, he argued, present an opportunity for Africa to strengthen its trade networks, support local businesses, and build the resilience needed to compete on a global scale. However, for this vision to become a reality, several structural barriers must be addressed. One of the critical issues Ogbonna identified is the challenges businesses face in securing capital. While many African enterprises have the ambition to scale, the excessive cost of financing often inhibits their ability to expand. He advocated a financial services sector that is designed to empower businesses, making capital more accessible and affordable. 'Many businesses on the continent struggle to find capital or access to capital and the right structure of capital, and when they do find it, the cost of capital is so significant that it makes it unbelievably expensive for them to be able to raise capital and still do business competitively. That has to change. We have to create a financial services sector that empowers businesses, one that makes it easier and seamless for businesses to be able to access capital, to able to invest in growth, invest in innovation, and of course, the muscle they need to expand beyond their local boundaries. "It is clear that we need to create a network of Africa financial giants who are willing to create homegrown solutions to support the continent in achieving the objectives that we have set for ourselves.' Beyond financial constraints, limited access to market intelligence remains a major hurdle. Many African businesses lack the necessary insights to identify trade opportunities beyond their local markets. Leveraging technology to enhance information-sharing can bridge this gap, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and seize growth prospects across the continent. Apart from capital, Ogbonna highlighted the critical role of access to information. Many businesses struggle to find the data and intelligence necessary to make informed decisions and identify opportunities beyond their national borders. He stressed that leveraging technology to bridge this gap will be instrumental in driving cross-border trade and creating a more connected Africa. He also addressed the issue of trust between trading partners, noting that historic challenges, inconsistent regulations, and varying standards have contributed to a lack of confidence in intra-Africa trade. Overcoming this scepticism, he affirmed, requires deliberate efforts to harmonise standards, foster cooperation, and shift perceptions about the quality of African goods and services. He urged African businesses to take pride in what they produce, invest in local industries, and reject the notion that products made on the continent are inferior to those from elsewhere. The chief executive also emphasised the urgent need to modernise Africa's trade routes and infrastructure. Drawing on historical examples, he pointed out that Africa once had well-established trade corridors that connected it to the Middle East and Asia. Today, however, inefficient transport networks and regulatory bottlenecks make it easier for businesses in Angola to trade with Portugal than with South Africa or Nigeria. He called for a renewed commitment to building the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks necessary to facilitate seamless trade across the continent, ensuring that goods, services, and capital can move freely between African nations. Closing his address, Ogbonna challenged attendees to take concrete action toward realising Africa's economic potential. He urged governments, financial institutions, and businesses to leverage platforms like the Africa Trade Conference to drive meaningful change. The goal, he emphasised, should be to create an Africa where businesses thrive, financial inclusion is a reality, and homegrown solutions set global benchmarks. 'Ultimately, let's collectively agree that we will create value working as governments, financial services sector and businesses, leveraging our collective power to make the Africa we truly are proud of a reality,' he said. The Access Bank Africa Trade Conference represents a significant step toward fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and driving policy initiatives that support Africa's economic transformation. As the continent continues to navigate global uncertainties, events like this serve as a reminder that Africa's future lies in its ability to collaborate, innovate, and build a sustainable trade ecosystem that benefits all. Streaming link: Africa Trade Conference - 25. About Access Bank PLC Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE. Access Bank's parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998 (now Nigerian Exchange (NGX)). The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is Africa's most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 20 years, becoming one of the continent's largest retail banks. As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams. About Africa Trade Conference Africa Trade Conference serves as a dynamic platform where industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders across the trade ecosystem come together to shape the future of commerce on the continent. By fostering dialogue on innovative trade solutions, sustainable practices, and market-expanding strategies, the forum underscores Access Bank's commitment to unlocking Africa's immense potential. Participants will engage in insightful discussions, forge strategic partnerships, and explore opportunities that drive inclusive growth, positioning Africa as a pivotal player in global trade. Access Bank invites you to join industry leaders, innovators, and other key players across Africa's trade ecosystem at the Africa Trade Conference 2025. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
13-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Access Bank's Africa Trade Conference Ignites New Era of Intra-Africa Commerce
Access Bank PLC ( successfully hosted the inaugural Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to drive solutions for accelerating intra-African trade and unlocking the continent's economic potential. The conference tackled critical challenges, including limited access to capital, market information gaps, trust deficits between trading partners, and the urgent need for modernised trade infrastructure. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for discussions by highlighting the critical barriers hindering trade across Africa. He emphasised the urgent need for financial sector collaboration to facilitate seamless access to capital and foster a business environment where African enterprises can scale and compete globally. 'We must invest in the initiatives that ensure that we can bring businesses together, forge trust, and create the connections necessary for trade. In doing so, we must stamp out the narrative that 'Made in Africa' is inferior to any product made anywhere else in the world. We must buy Africa, be proud to wear Africa, and invest in Africa because that is what the continent needs to leap forward into the next generation,' Ogbonna stated. With Africa's population projected to surge to 2.5 billion by 2050 from 1.2 billion, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands as the most significant free trade initiative since the formation of the World Trade Organisation. By fostering economic integration, AfCFTA has the potential to reshape trade dynamics across the continent, creating a unified market that enhances industrialisation, boosts employment, and strengthens Africa's global competitiveness. Recognising this transformative opportunity, H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, emphasised the urgency of fully implementing the agreement to unlock its immense benefits. "The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is an instrument for Africa's industrialisation and economic sovereignty. It is a tool that will enable us to break down historic trade barriers and build an Africa that is self-sufficient, competitive, and prosperous. But for this to happen, we must commit to operationalising the agreement fully, ensuring that businesses, particularly SMEs and women-led enterprises, have access to the information, capital, and platforms they need to thrive,' Mene stated. Also, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, emphasised the importance of financing mechanisms that support African businesses in their expansion across borders. She reaffirmed Afreximbank's commitment to championing trade finance solutions and infrastructure investments that will unlock Africa's trade potential. 'At Afreximbank, we understand that trade finance is the lifeblood of economic development. Without it, businesses cannot scale, industries cannot innovate, and Africa cannot fully realise its trade potential. This is why we have developed instruments such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to facilitate seamless transactions across borders, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and strengthening intra-African trade,' Awani remarked. The conference featured an insightful testimonial from Nathalie Louat, Global Director at the IFC/World Bank Group, who pointed out the pivotal role of trade finance in enabling cross-border transactions and supporting financial inclusion. She underscored the long-standing partnership between IFC and Access Bank in fostering Africa's economic resilience. Several high-level panel discussions explored strategies to overcome trade barriers and enhance market access through innovative solutions. Experts from leading institutions, including Deutsche Bank, Traydstream, OWP Partners, Fiducia International, and more, examined how infrastructure improvements, digital solutions, and policy harmonisation could drive economic growth and boost intra-African trade. Dr. Marc Auboin from the World Trade Organization (WTO) shared key insights on how digital transformation is reshaping Africa's supply chain landscape, creating efficiency and unlocking new global market opportunities. Tanya Dos Santos-Ford from GIBS Business School also led a session on sustainable trade practices, emphasising the need for environmentally responsible economic growth strategies. The event culminated in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to intra-African trade and economic transformation. Tradepass Commodities Limited (Ghana), Chemaf International FZE (DR Congo), and Harvest Group of Companies (Zambia) were honoured for their impact on SMEs and women-led trade enterprises. Bulkstream Limited (Kenya) and Electricidade de Moçambique (Mozambique) received awards for advancing intra-African trade, while Tennant Metals South Africa Pty Ltd was recognised as an Emerging Leader in Trade. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) was awarded the Climate Finance Leadership Award, while Afreximbank received the Champion of Intra-African Trade Award. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) were celebrated for their roles in economic transformation and infrastructure finance, respectively. The prestigious African Icon Award was presented to IHS Group, Dangote Industries Limited, and MTN Group Limited for their significant contributions to Africa's economic progress. As the conference ended, Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to supporting trade finance, fostering regional integration, and championing policies that create an enabling environment for businesses across Africa. For inquiries: Olakunle Aderinokun Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Access Bank PLC. About Access Bank PLC: Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE. Access Bank's parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998 (now Nigerian Exchange (NGX)). The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is Africa's most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 20 years, becoming one of the continent's largest retail banks. As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.
