Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Today I learned how to blog from a friend who came all the way from Cheras. He came to see me because he wants me to guide him in Script writing for a film project that he wants me to direct.
We met at Setapak Sentral. Over several rounds of coffee and sharing of ideas, I have helped him to get an understanding of what the current Malaysian Cinema is all about?
I think he has a good story-line but it needs to be written in a way that is acceptable for the local cinema circuit.
Back to the basics.
The Malaysian Film industry is very much dependent on the local television networks. Most of the creative industry workers come from the television stations. So, their experiences are all related to the way, TV productions are done.
Using such experiences as their background, they eventually enter the film making world. In that situation, they bring with them their small screen production situations into the big screen arena.
That is a deterrent for them to explore the wider screen environment where they do not dare to think out of the proverbial box! The most obvious difference is when they bring with them the 17 to 20 days production shooting climate to the film production which previously took an average of 45 to 60 days to shoot.
Ther thinking is that the sooner they complete the shooting the cheaper will the production costs be. The reason for such a mentality is due to their familiarity in shooting for telemovie or TV dramas where they use the same type of camera and production equipment and almost the same artistes, film crews and locations.
This in a way retards the creative juices from flowing and limits our local Malaysian creative industry from developing to higher standards. Don't talk about reaching Hollywood or Bollywood levels. They can't even come close to Iranian film productions which almost always bags an award or two at the international film competitions. Even their story lines are simple and easy to follow but that's what sells tickets at the box office!
Another thing that I see holding us back is that the local creative industry leaders often neglect to fight for our rights as what they usually promise. In our midst they will talk as if they are together with us but once something happens and a film crew gets into trouble, these so called leaders are nowhere to be seen.
It is very sad to see such a thing happening but then again who am I to complain?
Like the Malay proverb says 'Kita umpama mentimun. Berhadapan dengan durian. Di langgar kita luka, melanggar pun kita luka!'
Meaning we are like the cucumber facing the durians. If we go against them, it is we who get hurt and if they come against us, it is also us who get skewered!
So dear friends, we have no choice but to fortify ourselves and unite as one!
See you all soon in my next posting! Insya Allah.
Wabillahi Taufik Wal Hidayah.
Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
