Greater support needed to boost local creative industries
Monday, July 23, 2007
LOCAL creative industries remain an unexploited sector despite its potential towards contributing to the economy and national development.
The Brunei Times interviewed several local talents to find out what they thought were needed in order to develop the creative industries here.
Creative industries in Brunei will need respect and acknowledgement from its own people in order to progress further, said Shaifadzillah, a 25-year-old English teacher who creates educational software for students and teachers.
Otherwise "we can't make it," he said. The country has potential but is hindered by the "shallow" preconception held by people about the creative industry, he added.
Shaifadzillah, who used to be in a band back in university, added, "They don't get the role of the creative industry in our economy and another factor is the (size of the market). It's not that big but it is growing."
He insisted that in order to prosper, the country must shift its mindset to the future.
Not that there has not been any in the local scene.
"Some changes are taking place. But it is only when people dare to take risks that changes can become apparent," said Shaifadzillah who, following his passion in photography, is venturing into the modelling business with some of his friends.
Ak Isa from Thano Entertainment, an advertising and multimedia company, believes that there are plenty of local talents. Brunei however lacks an outlet for them to express their talents.
He gave the example of TV commercial advertisements on the local channel, which are quite expensive.
In addition, "we also don't have our own local magazine," said Ak Isa.
This is a shame, he continued, because there are a lot of local graduates who are very good in designing.
Meanwhile, a producer for Shazanas Production House, Bowo, believes that the quality of production and acting in the country is not up to standard.
The veteran actors are undeniably talented, said Bowo, an Indonesian who has lived in Brunei for more than 10 years. However, he noted, the new actors need to learn how to be more professional.
"The new ones do not see acting as an art and are mostly in it for fun. When on location, they don't take the time in between to rehearse of practise but just talk. Maybe they don't see a future in it," said Bowo.
This he feels is partly due to RTB (Radio Television Brunei) being the only station to broadcast local productions.
"As the only station in Brunei, RTB must set standards. The payment rates must be according to the quality of the production. If they pay less, local artistes will also get low payment thus resulting in a lack of commitment," he said.
Nevertheless, the station does support the artistic interest of the local population by conducting workshops, especially in terms of production. However, these workshops are more towards theory and less on the practical aspects.
Local artiste Diana, who is also co-owner of Projectunes, a company that specialises in producing, recording and mastering songs, identified several factors that limit the development of creative industries in the country.
Like Shaifadzillah, she said she felts that people needed to change their views and see creativity as something that can harnessed for economic growth.
"We have to start seeing (creativity) as a business opportunity," she said, adding that people need to respect and appreciate those who are actually involved in the industry.
"I think that once people start changing their mindset, Brunei can (take a step forward)."
According to her, there are several groups that are pushing local talents, slowly but steadily. She also has friends who are currently taking creative degrees such as those on film and video production.
The country is also behind in terms of technology in production, she noted.
"The human resources we have are pretty good, especially the new ones but if you compare our studios and the ones like in Singapore, they have it all," she said.
While Brunei does have talented actors and singers, "we just don't have the same technology as other countries", she added.
Support for the budding talents of the young generation is also important.
"We could start by being more appreciative of the artistic talents that go behind these creative industries. It should not just have to be about degrees and diplomas."
The Brunei Times
The Brunei Times interviewed several local talents to find out what they thought were needed in order to develop the creative industries here.
Creative industries in Brunei will need respect and acknowledgement from its own people in order to progress further, said Shaifadzillah, a 25-year-old English teacher who creates educational software for students and teachers.
Otherwise "we can't make it," he said. The country has potential but is hindered by the "shallow" preconception held by people about the creative industry, he added.
Shaifadzillah, who used to be in a band back in university, added, "They don't get the role of the creative industry in our economy and another factor is the (size of the market). It's not that big but it is growing."
He insisted that in order to prosper, the country must shift its mindset to the future.
Not that there has not been any in the local scene.
"Some changes are taking place. But it is only when people dare to take risks that changes can become apparent," said Shaifadzillah who, following his passion in photography, is venturing into the modelling business with some of his friends.
Ak Isa from Thano Entertainment, an advertising and multimedia company, believes that there are plenty of local talents. Brunei however lacks an outlet for them to express their talents.
He gave the example of TV commercial advertisements on the local channel, which are quite expensive.
In addition, "we also don't have our own local magazine," said Ak Isa.
This is a shame, he continued, because there are a lot of local graduates who are very good in designing.
Meanwhile, a producer for Shazanas Production House, Bowo, believes that the quality of production and acting in the country is not up to standard.
The veteran actors are undeniably talented, said Bowo, an Indonesian who has lived in Brunei for more than 10 years. However, he noted, the new actors need to learn how to be more professional.
"The new ones do not see acting as an art and are mostly in it for fun. When on location, they don't take the time in between to rehearse of practise but just talk. Maybe they don't see a future in it," said Bowo.
This he feels is partly due to RTB (Radio Television Brunei) being the only station to broadcast local productions.
"As the only station in Brunei, RTB must set standards. The payment rates must be according to the quality of the production. If they pay less, local artistes will also get low payment thus resulting in a lack of commitment," he said.
Nevertheless, the station does support the artistic interest of the local population by conducting workshops, especially in terms of production. However, these workshops are more towards theory and less on the practical aspects.
Local artiste Diana, who is also co-owner of Projectunes, a company that specialises in producing, recording and mastering songs, identified several factors that limit the development of creative industries in the country.
Like Shaifadzillah, she said she felts that people needed to change their views and see creativity as something that can harnessed for economic growth.
"We have to start seeing (creativity) as a business opportunity," she said, adding that people need to respect and appreciate those who are actually involved in the industry.
"I think that once people start changing their mindset, Brunei can (take a step forward)."
According to her, there are several groups that are pushing local talents, slowly but steadily. She also has friends who are currently taking creative degrees such as those on film and video production.
The country is also behind in terms of technology in production, she noted.
"The human resources we have are pretty good, especially the new ones but if you compare our studios and the ones like in Singapore, they have it all," she said.
While Brunei does have talented actors and singers, "we just don't have the same technology as other countries", she added.
Support for the budding talents of the young generation is also important.
"We could start by being more appreciative of the artistic talents that go behind these creative industries. It should not just have to be about degrees and diplomas."
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
